Salary: $16-22/hour, depending on experience
Job Type: Part time; seasonal (15-20 hr/wk)
Description
Discovery Southeast is hiring a naturalist/educator to assist and co-lead hands-on nature education classes for elementary school students. This Assistant Naturalist position is a part-time, seasonal job of about 15-20 hours a week, with hourly pay of $16-22/hour, depending on experience, with room to advance over time.
The experiences we most value are leading groups outdoors, working in schools or with children, implementing lessons and a passion for the natural world of Southeast Alaska. Candidates should enjoy being outdoors and be committed to providing students formative experiences in nature. If desired, this position can grow into a longer term, lead naturalist position over time.
Background
For over 30 years Discovery Southeast’s education and exploration programs have deepened Southeast Alaskans’ connection with nature in Lingít Aaní, the traditional lands of the Áak’w & T’aakú Kwáan. We are a regional non-profit started by outdoor leaders in Southeast Alaska to ensure that local residents, particularly children, experience the outstanding natural areas that travelers from around the world come to visit. Today, with many of those same founders still involved, our programs teach children to experience, be comfortable in, and explore nature with a field-based, hands-on approach. We strive to reach all Juneau youth, particularly those who might not otherwise be introduced to the outdoors at a young age. We aim to recruit, retain, and develop staff who bring traditional ecological knowledge, diverse backgrounds, and a mindset of curiosity about the complete history of Southeast Alaska.
Position Details
The main duty is work as an Assistant Naturalist, co-teaching seasonal nature education to elementary school classes for either K-2nd or 3rd-5th graders. This position also includes at least two days/week of after school programming at an elementary school. This can either be M/W or T/Th, and could potentially be all four days after school. Additional hours can include: running enrichment programs on school holidays, assisting programs for middle schoolers, and contributing to organizational management (community outreach, administrative tasks, etc). This position has weekly and seasonal ebbs and flows, with weeks or months off during the school year for those who enjoy traveling. It is part-time, and can be scheduled to accommodate a 2nd job if desired. This position can also include full time, seasonal work in our summer camp 2023 if agreed upon.
Responsibilities
● For our school Nature Studies programs: An Assistant Naturalist helps a Lead Naturalist in
preparing for program time and during all program time itself. The exact roles are flexible and
can be built up over time as an assistant becomes familiar and comfortable with the program.
Our lessons are designed to awaken students to a comfort and connection with nature, and a
better understanding of the natural world and their place in it.
● For our after school programming: Co-leading at least two days a week, which includes
managing and keeping safe groups of 10-12 kids in the outdoor areas near the school, and
developing activities to engage students. Help to provide emotionally and intellectually
meaningful programs that deepen children’s appreciation for nature (including themselves) and
their curiosity for learning and exploring.
● Additional responsibilities may include: assisting with enrichment day programs on non-school
days, administrative tasks and other outreach as agreed upon.
Desired Qualifications:
● Experience working with children either in a classroom and/or another context
● Experience with group management
● Excellent communication and relationship building skills
● A basic understanding of child development in elementary and middle school
● Ability to work a variety of different program types for a variety of ages, primarily K-5
● Ability to take direction from a Lead Naturalist, and desire to learn how to support and manage
groups outside
● Experience assessing and managing risk in an outdoor setting, factoring in location, elements,
and group abilities
● Ability to manage a complex and variable schedule, in coordination with co-workers
● Ability to implement age-appropriate activities, lessons and structures and ability to develop
additional age and developmentally appropriate curriculum when necessary
● Knowledge of local habitats, natural and cultural history of this place. And a passion for sharing
this knowledge
● Understanding of Culturally Responsive and Trauma-informed education
● Traditional ecological knowledge, particularly Lingít knowledge, is highly valued
● A desire to learn and grow with us
To apply
Interested candidates may submit a cover letter and resume to Bess Crandall at
bess@discoverysoutheast.org. We will prioritize applications submitted by August 15th. More
information about our programs is at DiscoverySoutheast.org.