• Develop your skills as an educator and naturalist under the guidance of experienced NCI staff
• Lead hands-on field studies for student’s grades 3rd-8th in a variety of environments such as redwood forest, mixed conifer forests, and semi-desert areas.
• Teach on a 1:12 educator/student ratio
• Flexibility to choose and develop engaging curriculum based upon your own personal interests and educational background.
• Facilitate team building initiatives and low-ropes challenges.
• Participate in large group activities that include topics such as historical/cultural simulations, ecological concepts, team/character building, and land stewardship projects.
• Take the opportunity to become part of a supportive, diverse community of teachers and support staff.
• Gain public speaking skills by introducing activities, processing information and leading meals in front of large groups of students, teachers and fellow instructors.
• Strengthen leadership abilities by coordinating supplies, logistics, and roles of staff before, during and after large group activities
• Plus many more!

Required Qualifications

• Recent Bachelor’s degree in education, any of the sciences, environmental education, history, English, sociology and/or related field.
• Strong commitment to spending long days with children outdoors.
• Willingness to be creative and adapt to a constantly changing work environment.
• Advocate for the environment and conservation of natural resources.
• Willing to live on site and in communal housing, with a shared bedroom.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for the outdoors and environmental education, even when we work long days and conditions are challenging.
• Ability to travel long distances, to multiple sites across California, in NCI company van. With the possibility of traveling to sites in Wisconsin and Florida.
• Pass a background check

Preferred Qualifications:

• Special skills in natural history, storytelling, teambuilding, and role-playing is helpful.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to live and work with a wide range of people and personalities.
• Ability to effectively engage in behavior management and maintain students’ interest and participation in outdoor classes and activities.
• Must have public speaking skill and enthusiasm.
• Experience working with children from various socio-economic backgrounds.
• CPR/First Aid training and/or Wilderness First Aid Training.

Physical Requirements:

• Walk up to two miles at a time on moderate terrain
• Run for short periods of time
• Lift and carry up to twenty pounds
• Carry a heavy backpack for most of the day
• Work outside in varied weather conditions such as rain, snow, intense heat, and high altitudes

Details:

• Salary: $325 a week for first season instructors; room provided and board during the week.
• Housing: Onsite communal living. Washer and dryer and Wi-Fi provided.
• Hours: Typically, Monday- Thursday 8am -9:30pm, Friday 8am-2pm (this can vary depending on group size)
• Dates: Staff contracted from March 24th - May 26th