The Wisconsin Green Schools Network is looking for a qualified person to engage students learning in a public school setting in hands-on outdoor activities through their F.I.E.L.D. Corps program. F.I.E.L.D. Corps stands for “Fostering Inquiry and Empowering Learners through Discovery.” Qualified applicants will not only have a working knowledge of biological sciences and ecological processes but also have the ability to engage learners in a hands-on discovery of Wisconsin’s natural resources. The F.I.E.L.D. Corps Educator serves as a resource and mentor for teaching staff to connect outdoor and classroom learning experiences with confidence and understanding.  

Through the F.I.E.L.D. Corps program, the F.I.E.L.D Corps educator will have the opportunity to develop a year-long partnership with the Northern Waters Environmental School (NWES) in Hayward, Wisconsin.  NWES is a 6-12 project-based learning school with a focus on outdoor and adventure learning. They are seeking an innovative educator who is flexible and a team player in a non-traditional school setting. The educator must be comfortable with change, open to ideas, and promote critical thinking skills in their teaching. The F.I.E.L.D Corps educator must have activities that are engaging and meaningful for students, works well with others, and must be comfortable in developing partnerships with the community that focus on real-world, hands-on ecological restoration and research projects. These long-term experiences will help develop students’ leadership, stewardship, and environmental literacy. 

Desired skills and/or traits:

• Can lead by example, is flexible and can think on their feet, is hard working, self-motivated, resourceful, a team-player, communicates well and enjoys working with students ranging in ages 4-18, can motivate a group, and has an energetic, easy-going personality.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office programs, Google Docs, iPads, & email and long-distance collaboration with colleagues. Basic understanding of GIS & GPS.
• Earned a degree or equivalent knowledge and field experience in earth sciences, natural resources (water, soils, forestry, wildlife, fisheries), environmental education, renewable energy, ecosystem restoration or related field from an accredited university.
• Experience and/or interest in hunting, fishing, trapping, farming, gardening, conservation, and sustainability.
• Has hands-on experience or is willing to learn how to confidently and safely operate outdoor equipment such as a chainsaw, power tools, hand tools, archery equipment, boats, and backing a trailer.
• Has or is willing to obtain First Aid & CPR certification and Wilderness First Aid training.
• Has a valid Wisconsin driver’s license.

Job Description:

The job of the F.I.E.L.D. Corps Educator is to work with the classroom teacher(s) and to develop field plans that span over multiple weeks and connect with classroom skills, lessons, and projects. Each school designs how the F.I.E.L.D. Corps Educator partnership will work best for their unique situation. The F.I.E.L.D. Corps Educator should be flexible in scheduling and able to adapt field days for a variety of ages and skill levels. The F.I.E.L.D. Corps Educator will spend a 8 hours in the field with students and 2-4 hours planning with the teacher(s) and community each week per partner school. Planning activities include coordinating logistics for field days with teachers & landowners, determining a list of appropriate tools & gear, and ensuring safety while providing a quality experience. Other job tasks will include grant writing, participating in field staff conference calls, helping organize WGSN events, and giving quarterly updates to school governance board meetings.

This part-time position (12 hours per week) has a one-year contract with option of rehire the following year. F.I.E.L.D. Corps is a young program there is potential for growth to a full-time position. Applicant must pass background check.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Developing field projects that have measurable outcomes for students at the end of each day.
• Finding long-term field projects in the community within a reasonable traveling distance from the school.
• Willing to write grants to support field projects as necessary.
• Breaking down and relating complex ecological topics into terms and scenarios that relate to students and their lives.
• Motivating and managing teams of students working on multiple tasks that contribute to the larger project where they are all an integral part of the team.
• Developing connections with people in the natural resources field in the communities where the schools are located.
• Serving as a liaison for the school’s field program in the community
• Understanding the field program is an integral part of participating school’s learning structure. The success of the field program largely depends on open lines of communication and a strong partnership between the teacher(s) and field biologist.
• Communicating and collaborating with other F.I.E.L.D. Corps Educators spread across the state who work with other schools in the Green Schools Network.
• Working with other F.I.E.L.D. Corps Educators to plan and conduct the annual Youth Summit in April.
• Participating in a week-long summer institute and additional professional development opportunities.

Learn more: WisconsinGreenSchoolsNetwork.org

Location: Hayward, WI with potential to serve surrounding communities. Must have personal vehicle and be willing to travel. May involve limited overnight and weekend responsibilities.  

Compensation: Will be negotiated depending on experience and contract model.

More information: http://wisconsingreenschoolsnetwork.org