Extended A Mountain Classroom Educator

White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

April 1st through October 31st

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) offers educational programs to promote the appreciation, understanding, enjoyment, and responsible use of natural resources.  Through positive, direct experiences, we strive to provide people of all ages and backgrounds with the skills to enjoy the outdoors and an increased understanding of their connection to the natural world. 

Job Summary: This position combines 3 seasonal positions with A Mountain Classroom (AMCR) to offer an extended opportunity to work as an Educator with the AMC. AMCR Educators are skilled, responsible, energetic people who are excited to share their knowledge and love of the outdoors with youth and adults. 

In the spring (April to mid-June) and fall (late-August through October) AMCR typically serves Kindergarten-12th grade public, private, and home-schooled groups. Students participate in 1-5 day experiential programs based at the AMC’s Outdoor Program Centers in NH, NY, ME, NJ, the AMC’s backcountry huts, and in local schools and communities. Academic lessons on forest and watershed ecology, map and compass, geology, weather and climate, outdoor skills, community building and leadership development are integrated and taught in a hiking-based program. 

During the summer months AMCR works primarily with youth from NH’s Coos County to provide experiences ranging from single day hikes and canoe trips to week long immersive backcountry trips. Trip curriculum typically focuses on building backcountry travel skills as well as seeking to create community and connections with the outdoors. During the summer months AMCR also conducts a limited number of more traditional school programs similar to those of the spring and fall months.

A Mountain Classroom values diversity, equity and inclusion. We are working to create a team that is representative of the student populations that we serve and thus welcome hardworking individuals from all backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities.

Visit us online: http://www.outdoors.org/classroom.

Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

• Lead and facilitate multi-day, student-centered, experiential lessons in a backcountry setting
• Write and prepare thematic, place-based environmental education and community building lesson plans that meet the needs of diverse student populations, are culturally relevant, transferable for students and incorporate the learning objectives of teachers
• Ensure the physical, emotional and social safety of 8-12 students in front-country and backcountry settings
• Create and foster an inclusive group culture and learning environment among students and co-workers
• Facilitate activities and experiences that build community
• Lead students on overnight hikes to AMC huts, backcountry campsites, and from AMC’s roadside lodges throughout New England, New York and New Jersey
• Lead backpacking trips up to 7 days in length
• Lead single and multi-day canoe trips
• Facilitate day programs within local communities and at schools
• Organize and teach 2-3 evening programs per week (7-8:30 pm) as part of a morning until night work day
• Model responsible behavior in the outdoors and Leave No Trace ethics
• Perform logistics functions for the program including: issuing, collecting, cleaning and maintaining gear, preparing teaching supplies, driving vehicles, organizing food, and evacuations
• Maintain professionalism through lesson planning, personal appearance and communication with other staff, chaperones and participants
• Assist with data collection and program assessment both in the office and field
• Assist contracted, certified guides on rock climbing or rafting programs
• Occasionally work weekends
• Occasionally collaborate with other AMC Program Staff to guide day-long or multi-day adult and family workshops

Qualifications:

• Friendly, outgoing, flexible personality with a commitment and enthusiasm for teaching youth
• Experience leading student/youth groups in the backcountry
• Experiential teaching experience
• Experience leading backpacking trips (strongly preferred)
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Experience canoeing (strongly preferred)
• Wilderness First-Aid & CPR certification (WFR preferred) or the ability to obtain certification prior to starting employment.
• Bachelor’s degree with course work in natural sciences, experiential education, or related field, or equivalent work experience
• Ability to carry a backpack daily, which holds teaching and emergency supplies (approximately 30-50 lbs) in front-country and backcountry settings
• Willingness to, at times, work long hours in mentally and physically demanding conditions
• Satisfactory driving record and background check, as verified by state record check
• 21+ years old and ability to obtain DOT medical clearance to drive vehicles strongly preferred

Compensation and Benefits: Starting pay is $80/8-hour work day, with additional $40 paid for evening and overnight work (average 2-3 evenings or overnights assigned per week). Completion bonus of $0.50/hr worked, plus paid training days. Seasonal benefits include AMC membership, use of AMC facilities, employee discounts, employee pro-deals with outdoor gear companies. Optional room and board is available for $45/week.

Through the power of outdoor experiences, A Mountain Classroom increases students’ ecological understanding, inspires their personal growth, and develops community.

The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger.  The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility which serves children, disabled persons, or the elderly to have a criminal background record check performed on their name annually with employment contingent upon satisfactory results.

The AMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace. The AMC encourages the involvement of all people in its mission and activities, through its membership, programs, policies, and procedures. Our goal is to be a community that is comfortable, inviting, and accessible for people of any age, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.  Join us!