This full-time position will design a program to be provided to young children in 2-3 hour blocks, throughout the school week. This educator will work in collaboration with current outdoor staff, including part-time gardening and ecology specialist and full-time animal behavioral specialist, and as an extension of our foundational Montessori classrooms. The Outdoor Educator must be willing to spend time outdoors, in all weather, with their students. Start date of August 16 for planning and preparations for the school year.

This job is for you if you:

• Are inspired by our mission
• Love young children and supporting their development
• Have a deep personal connection to nature and can be outdoors in all seasons
• Thrive in leadership roles
• Have a commitment to high quality care and learning
• Delight in all aspects of program design and development
• Are a highly relational and effective communicator
• Are able to multi-task and manage a variety of program details
• Have a positive attitude and are able to roll with a dynamic and creative organization
• Care about equity, diversity, and social and environmental justice
• Enjoy working in a progressive, relational, collaborative, and nature-loving team of dedicated and talented individuals

Principal Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement daily practices and routines, as well as seasonal, place-based, emergent curriculum that promotes early childhood development and deep nature connection
• Create and maintain a healthy, safe, and positive environment for children utilizing nature as the organizing principal for learning
• Support social-emotional learning and solution-finding opportunities using the Positive Discipline framework
• Communicate with teachers and parents about the child’s development and daily experiences, including monthly newsletter articles and conference reports twice per year
• Develop and facilitate family events and parent education programs
• Collaborate with parents, children, and staff to foster a sense of community and belonging
• Observe and document children’s progress in the areas of their social, emotional, physical, creative, and cognitive skills
• Ensure the indoor and outdoor learning environments are in good condition to support safe, engaging, rich in experience, and positive child development

Education/Experience:

• Minimum of Lead Teacher qualifications through Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families, including bachelor’s degree
• Education and/or experience in outdoor education for preschoolers, with deep knowledge of the Pacific Northwest ecosystem, natural history, and the Indigenous experience
• Experience working with young children and families in a group setting
• CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens certified or be willing to obtain
• Experience or knowledge of Montessori approach, or willing to take introductory coursework
• Positive Discipline training, or willing to take

Desired Skills and Abilities:

• Experienced teacher in a preschool or early elementary setting
• Strong communication skills with parents, staff, and children
• Good knowledge and desire to independently learn about nature, science, and Pacific Northwest ecology
• Strong decision-making skills to respond to risk management, emergencies, or difficult situations
• Ability and desire to create excellent place-based, child-centered, emergent curriculum
• Good organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks and roles, patiently and professionally
• Proficient with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook) 

Desired Behavioral Traits and Attitudes:

• Leader, team player, fun, outgoing, passionate, organized, flexible, creative, resourceful, critical thinker, results-oriented, and self-motivated. 
• Passionate about Cedar River Montessori’s mission and environmentally conscious.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits. Matching retirement, paid professional development, paid time off and vacation. This is a full-time position.