YMCA East Bay Outdoor School at Camp Arroyo is hiring Naturalists for the 2016-2017 school year. Opened in 2001, the education program received a 2005 Governor’s Environmental & Economic Leadership Award for Environmental Education and the camp’s green facilities (featuring a straw bale dining hall) was rated one of AIA’s Top Ten Green Projects of 2002.

Naturalists lead three-, four- and five-day education programs for fourth through sixth graders from around the Bay Area, September through June. Our experiential curriculum focuses on sustainability in the following lesson areas:

• Organic gardening
• Green architecture and renewable energy
• Native Ohlone culture
• Local ecology hike
• Freshwater Ecology
• Three-mile hike with an emphasis on personal accomplishment, watersheds, and geology
• Team building initiatives and the climbing wall
• In-depth elective classes designed by each naturalist
• Challenge course (high and low ropes elements) facilitation for weekend groups

Essential Job Duties:

As a naturalist, you will be responsible for the following each week:

• Teaching the above curriculum to the same group of 14-16 students for the week
• Developing experiential, inquiry-based lesson plans
• Facilitating community-building initiatives with groups
• Orienting participants to program areas, including dining hall and cabins
• Leading two to three meals in dining hall
• Leading one to two structured activities during student recreation time
• Working two evening programs (skit nights, night hike, or dance)
• Assisting with the prep, maintenance, and clean-up of program supplies and areas
• Participating in staff development
• Working occasional weekend programs

Qualifications:

• Prefer at least 2 years of experience in environmental education programs, especially residential programs
• At least a four-year degree or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of the above curriculum areas or the passion and follow-through to learn more
• Experience working with a diversity of children from all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds
• Ability to work flexible work hours
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Positive management skills with children
• Ability to walk up to 5 miles per day
• Musical and acting abilities are a plus! (It is a camp setting, so be prepared to perform in front of large groups of kids!)
• Current First Aid and CPR certification, with AED training
• Previous challenge/ropes course experience preferred
• Lifeguard certification, WFR/EMT certifications, and language skills are desirable
• Flexibility, a positive attitude and a sense of humor are absolutely required!