Educator, Field Science

   

Headlands Institute

posted: Feb 24, 2010 and closes: Mar 15, 2011

Description and Details

Headlands Institute is located in the Marin Headlands, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area just north of San Francisco. Our parent organization, NatureBridge, is the largest nonprofit residential environmental education partner of the National Park Service. Since 1971, NatureBridge campuses have introduced almost one million students to national parks through field science education programs for schools. Our mission is to teach science and environmental education in nature’s classroom to inspire a personal connection to the natural world and responsible actions to sustain it. Our educators create and implement the Field Science programs that have made Headlands Institute one of California's leading non-profit environmental education centers. Headlands Institute serves a range of diverse communities from the Bay Area, Central Valley, and beyond. We seek to include students and adults who have traditionally had limited access to outdoor science and environmental education programs. During each program, educators create an outdoor experience for their students with a focus on one of Headlands Institute's core themes, such as cultural history, geology or marine science. Educators incorporate science, teambuilding and exploration, while connecting the students' experiences back to their home lives and communities. Each educator works with 10-16 students, grades K-12 (the majority are grades 4-7), on programs that last 1 to 5 days (the majority of programs are 2.5 days long). The field science year takes place from late August through mid-June. Individuals seeking year-round work may also apply to work as educators at our summer Coastal Camp. If you are interested in working for Coastal Camp, please indicate this in your cover letter. Essential Duties and Responsibilities • Greet and orient program participants to our campus and to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. • Cultivate a learning community that values cultural sensitivity and brings cultural relevancy to science content and outdoor experiences. • Design programs that are age appropriate and meet the needs of the school group. • Deliver curriculum outdoors and in our laboratories that is hands-on, experiential and inquiry-based. • Empower participants via positive reinforcement and role modeling. • Collaborate with adult chaperones and teachers during program day. • Develop community within the hiking group and between schools. • Establish ground rules and structure for student success. • Facilitate team and community-building for participants. • Lead groups safely over uneven trails, in all kinds of weather for up to 7 miles per day (average day is 2-3 miles/day). • Exercise sound judgment around group and risk management and consistently assess comfort and safety of the groups in all weather conditions. • Administer and document first-aid as needed. • Design and lead evening programs once or twice per week for up to 50 people. • Occasionally serve as lead instructor for all educators working on your school. • Support the Field Science program in the evening one or two weeks per semester. • Support the program in the on-call (substitute educator position) one or two weeks per semester. • Work 2-3 weekends per semester. • Other duties as assigned. Required Experience • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a related field. • 1-2 years relevant teaching experience. • Commitment to diversity and inclusively within our community. • Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification or willingness to obtain certification before beginning employment (stipend available). • Experience teaching in the outdoors and a working knowledge of the natural sciences, coastal ecology, and/or marine biology. • Ability to work in the outdoors, in varying weather conditions over uneven trails. • Effective communication, leadership and interpersonal skills. • Ability to implement and model excellent risk management and maintain a safe environment for our participants. • Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings. Preferred Experience • Ability to speak and/or teach in a second language. • Experience working with English Language Learners (ELL). • Experience working with urban youth. • Experience with inquiry-based learning and thematic teaching. • Advanced degree or teaching credential. Compensation Full-time compensation starts at $76 per day (plus additional compensation for evening/weekend work) and includes excellent housing, medical/dental plan, retirement plan, paid training, vacation benefits and sick time. An off-campus housing stipend is also available to those who choose not to live in provided housing. NatureBridge values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strive to diversify our workforce and seek applications by individuals from all backgrounds, abilities, cultures, orientations, identities, and communities.

Location

Sausalito, California

Application Info

To apply, applicants should email a cover letter, resume and how you heard about this position to: fseposition@naturebridge.org or send mail to: Headlands Institute Field Science Educator Search Attn: Bec Detrich, Education Manager Building 1033, GGNRA Sausalito, CA 94965 Priority deadline is March 15 for summer and fall positions.

Headlands Institute Field Science Educator Search Attn: Bec Detrich, Education Manager Building 1033, GGNRA Sausalito, CA 94965
fseposition@naturebridge.org

Salary & Benefits

Compensation Full-time compensation starts at $76 per day (plus additional compensation for evening/weekend work) and includes excellent housing, medical/dental plan, retirement plan, paid training, vacation benefits and sick time. An off-campus housing