Farm and Nature Teacher

Currently seeking staff to work PART TIME (variable schedule) during the school year and FULL TIME (seasonal) during summer camp. This is a year round position. Our SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS welcome classes of children from local schools to Common Ground to connect with nature! We serve preK through 8th grade. Trip topics include hikes, farm to table pizza making, campfire cooking, farm tours, wetland science, nature based play, sheep and wool, maple sugaring, and other seasonal specialty topics. An outline and learning concepts are provided for each trip and field trip teachers also draw on their own knowledge of the natural world to enrich the participant experience. SCHEDULE: Field Trip staff set their availability and may be scheduled within their availability for 3 - 5 days per week (minimum availability of 3 mornings per week required). Staff typically work between 9:30 AM - 12 PM. Work in afternoon trips (between 12:30 - 2:30) may be available. The KIDS UNPLUGGED AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM gets children in grades K - 8 playing and learning outside after school! This is primarily a play based program that includes both unstructured playtime and teacher directed activities and experiences as part of the program. Staff might supervise a campfire in the winter woods, lead a flashlight hike after sunset, cook with foods from the farm, facilitate imaginative play and fort building in the forest, work with children to walk goats and care for chickens, and many other kinds of nature based experiences! SCHEDULE: Teachers work Monday - Friday, September through early June, from 2:30 - 6 PM. Schedules for fewer than 5 days per week are available. Kids Unplugged takes place in all weather (unless programs are closed due to unsafe travel conditions), so we are seeking staff who are excited to embrace rain and snow as well as blue sky days. SUMMER CAMP welcomes children for full days of play, imagination, learning, and adventure in nature. SCHEDULE: June 22 - August 7, Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM. Additional work available before and after the main camp season. Position requirements and responsibilities: Significant experience with planning and leading nature based lessons and activities for groups of children Experience in a role that has primary responsibility for for the care of children in an outdoor, play based setting Significant experience meeting social and emotional needs of children, including positive behavior management, setting group routines and group culture, and modifying to meet the needs of individual children. Enthusiasm for both teacher led learning and for supervising play, imagination, and child-led activities, understanding that both of these are important parts of the program. Use excellent communication skills, including speaking with children, adults, and coworkers. Use strong critical thinking and problem solving skills and sound judgment as part of routine daily work. Willingness to be flexible and work with the day’s teaching team to adapt plans to the ages, weather conditions, and other needs of the day Commitment to working joyfully and inclusively with children and adults of all identities, with much of our work serving a racially and economically diverse urban community. Commitment to child centered teaching and behavior management, with the ability and desire to consider and seek to meet the needs of individual children. Work in a setting with farm animals as well as native wildlife including insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds. Engage in the physical requirements of this role, including being physically active for the majority of a scheduled work shift, safely navigating outdoor terrain that includes uneven and unpaved surfaces, sitting on the ground, carrying a backpack with teaching supplies, and teaching outside in weather conditions including heat, rain, cold, and snow. Verifiable record of consistent attendance and punctuality at previous workplaces Additional responsibilities: This position is part of the Community Programs Team and is supervised by the Director of Community Programs. Additional position responsibilities include: Participation in ongoing staff development and meetings as scheduled for the Environmental Education team (as possible within personal availability for meetings that may sometimes be outside of routine work hours) Ongoing commitment to anti-bias and anti-racist work, including participation in professional development and implementation of any new curriculum, policies, or ways of working together and with our community. Work to support the overall operations of the non-profit programs as needed and available. This may include animal care, maintenance of program teaching and play areas, garden care, and working in additional programs for children and families. Benefits: Employee assistance program Employee discount PTO Job Type: Part-time Pay: $21.63 per hour Benefits: Employee assistance program Employee discount Flexible schedule Paid time off Professional development assistance Work Location: In person