Who are we?

IslandWood provides exceptional learning experiences to inspire lifelong environmental and community stewardship. We are a team-oriented, collaborative organization that nurtures a respectful, professional workplace. We’re working to build a staff that reflects the racial, cultural, and socio-economic diversity of the students we serve. We believe having a staff that authentically reflects our community is crucial to our ability to support student learning. We embrace a culture of learning, gratitude, joy, and accountability.

Full Opportunity Description:

Classification: Full-Time/Non-exempt 

Work Schedule: Weekdays during school hours; schedule varies 

Start Date: September 12, 2022

Work Location: Varies depending on program 

Pay Rate: $21-$22/hour

Benefits: 100% Paid for FT Employees (medical, dental, vision, life, STD/LTD, HSA)

FT employees qualify for 401k, 3 weeks paid vacation, FH and sick leave, 10 paid Holidays.

FT employees qualify for Commuter Program and travel/mileage reimbursement

Position Overview:

IslandWood’s Urban Programs engage students in their home environments and dig deep into how built and natural systems work in tandem. Our programs seek to cultivate understanding of the complexity of urban systems to give learners the tools to generate solutions that lead to resilient, healthy, and thriving communities. IslandWood Urban Programs puts students’ communities at the center of learning and integrates concepts and practices from the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as well as other disciplines and frameworks.

We’re looking for a dynamic, culturally sustaining Lead Educator to teach innovative and inclusive science-focused programs and support hourly educators. Programming focuses on learning about urban watersheds and ecosystems, human impact and action, and salmon and stormwater.

The Urban Programs Lead Educator is a full-time position with full benefits and opportunities for professional growth and development. The Lead Educator is responsible for the delivery and on-site coordination of Seattle-based programs and may deliver programs that take place in Renton and Tacoma for 4th and 5th grades. For the 2022/23 school year, this position will have the opportunity to support and teach programs in public parks in Seattle, on a boat on the Duwamish River, at the South Treatment Plant in Renton, and at schools throughout the region. This position will engage in partner teaching, collaborating, and problem solving to ensure that teachers and school groups receive a high-quality, grade-appropriate program that attends to their learning needs.

Responsibilities:

Program Delivery and Coordination:

• Communicate with classroom teachers and serve as main point of contact during field programs.
• Provide - and support educators in delivering - high quality, rigorous, culturally responsive instruction in urban ecology, stormwater, and engineering design.
• Drive 15-passenger size supply van to some program sites, manage supplies, and support curriculum revisions as needed.
• Support professional growth and development of seasonal educators through after-program debriefs and educator observations and mentoring.
• Communicate with educators regarding feedback, program information and scheduling via email and in-person program briefing and debriefing.

Project Support/Other:

• Promote and support a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and community
• Support program data collection and reporting, and other relevant administrative tasks
• Collaborate with Urban School Programs team members for smooth working relations
• Participate in relevant IslandWood Education Team and all-staff meetings
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• At least two years of experience teaching elementary students (in either formal or informal settings)
• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in education, environmental education, or related field
• Experience teaching or facilitating groups in an outdoor setting
• Commitment to educational equity and social justice
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups of elementary students and adults in a respectful, culturally responsive and -sustaining way
• Well-organized and detail-oriented

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of ecology, urban water systems/infrastructure, and/or NGSS
• Access to a reliable vehicle

Other Qualifications:

• Comply with and maintain a smoke-free and drug-free work environment
• Pass child safety screening once hired
• Possess a current Driver’s license with acceptable driving record (verified post-offer)
• Willing and able to drive 15-passenger supply van (must be 25 years old or above; training upon hiring)
• Able to move up to 30 pounds; able to move up to 3 miles on uneven ground
• Be CPR and First-Aid certified within two weeks of hiring

Must be fully vaccinated including booster against Covid-19, (verified post-offer)

Effective 07 February 2022, IslandWood requires all staff, volunteers, docents, interns, and graduate students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and to provide proof of inoculation including Booster. This decision is intended to aid in the safety and health of all persons delivering and/or supporting program delivery, our clients, and students.

IslandWood is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.  We encourage diverse applicants because we believe having a staff that authentically reflects the community, we serve is critical to our ability to be culturally responsive.