Lead Instructor

Whole Earth Nature School is seeking applicants who want to make a positive impact on local youth while gaining experience mentoring students outdoors. We employ staff in several positions and programs with options to work at day or overnight summer camps, after-school programs, and/or overnight Outdoor School programs in the Spring. All staff work as valued members of our community in service of youth and their families.     Whole Earth is an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome the unique contributions that you bring to Whole Earth including your culture, ethnicity, race, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran status, religion, ability, sexual orientation, and beliefs. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all students, volunteers, and employees. Visit our about and employment pages to learn more. Some ways we commit to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion include:  

• normalizing pronoun use during meetings and programs
• providing needs-based scholarships to students
• offering affinity camps for girls, boys, and gender-diverse campers
• providing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion training to all staff
• decolonizing curriculum and incorporating land acknowledgments in programs
• amplifying Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) voices and perspectives
• using trauma-informed, culturally responsive student support strategies
• providing accommodations for students to participate in our programs and for staff to lead programs

Job Overview

POSITION DETAILS

Job Title: Lead Instructor, Coyote Outdoor School

Reports to: Coyote Outdoor School Director

Pay:  Training hours will be paid at $15/hour. Your regular hourly rate will be $16-$18 an hour, based on experience.

Work Schedule: Lead Instructor is a seasonal, hourly, non-exempt position.  Lead instructors will begin part-time work as early as April 3rd for onboarding and CPR/First Aid training, and participate in training and orientation April 8th-18th. Coyote Outdoor School is estimated to run April 23rd-June 12th with the position ending on June 13th, 2025. You may opt-in to be considered for continued work through Whole Earth Summer Camps through August. Program schedules are subject to change with notice, including beginning or ending a week earlier based on school schedules. 

Benefits:

• Paid leave: Sick leave accumulated at .033 hour for each hour worked.
• Stipends and discounts: Required training for the season provided at no cost, such as first aid/CPR. Discounts on outdoor gear through “pro-deal” programs.
• Meals: Meal service at overnight camps during the outdoor school season. 
• Overnight Lodging: Ability to stay overnight on program site in dormitory cabins, personal tent/hammock, camper van, Monday-Thursday during overnight programs (optional) 
• Mileage Reimbursement: Travel is eligible for reimbursement via business standard mileage rate per IRS requirements if it is 30 minutes or more from Eugene, OR. For overnight programs with provided accommodation, one round trip per week is eligible.
• Other: Access to environmental education library and Whole Earth skill shares 

Type of work required: Work will consist of moving around the program site outdoors, leading activities and supporting students; cleaning and maintaining the site (80%); participating in meetings, events, and trainings indoors, outdoors, or remotely (10%); communicating and collaborating with other staff in person or via electronic devices (7%); and reviewing information and resources on printed materials or electronic devices (3%). We will make reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants to perform job functions. 

Job location: Outdoor School programs are held in accordance to the following schedule: 

April 3rd-4th; Onboarding and CPR/First Aid training in Eugene, OR

April 8th-11th; Staff training at Mount Pisgah in Eugene, OR

April 15 th; Staff training at Mount Pisgah in Eugene, OR

April 16th-18th; Overnight staff training at Camp Baker in Florence, OR

April 21st-22nd; Class visits at various schools in Eugene, OR

April 23rd-25th; Overnight programs at Camp Baker in Florence, OR

April 28-May 1st; Overnight programs at Camp Baker in Florence, OR

May 5th; Class visits at various schools in Eugene, OR

May 6th-9th; Overnight programs at Camp Baker in Florence, OR

May 12-15th; Day-only programs at Mount Pisgah in Eugene, OR

May 16th; Class visits at various schools in Eugene, OR

May 21st-23rd; Overnight programs at Camp Baker in Florence, OR

May 27th-30th; Day-only programs at Mount Pisgah in Eugene, OR

June 2nd-5th; Day-only programs at Mount Pisgah in Eugene, OR (Pending)

June 9th-12th; Overnight programs at Camp Baker in Florence, OR

Program schedules are subject to change with notice, including beginning or ending a week earlier based on school schedules. 

Overnight programs are held at Camp Baker, located in Florence, OR, which is 1 hour and 20 minutes from Eugene. Staff are expected to work longer hours during overnight programs; however, programs are 4-days/3-nights or 3-days/2-nights in length. Day-only programs are held at Mount Pisgah, located in Eugene, OR. Staff are to work 7-9 hour days for 3-day or 4-day programs. Employees can expect 35-44 hours per week, depending on the program. Employees are responsible for transporting themselves to and from the program site via person vehicle or carpool.  Please view our Benefits section for information on mileage reimbursement. 

Other details: 

• Offer of employment is contingent on successful passing of an Oregon Department of Education background check, at no cost to the employee.
• Offer of employment is contingent upon submission of Proof of eligibility to work in the United States as dictated on the Federal I-9 form
• Employees must obtain or provide proof of a current First Aid+CPR certification for adults and children; provided by the employer at no cost to the employee. 

LEAD INSTRUCTOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead activities, teach curriculum, and manage groups of students with support from volunteers and program leaders. 
• Facilitate culturally-responsive lessons that encourage student voice and choice, curiosity, observation, cooperation, and nature connection.
• Use equitable approaches to engage all students in land-based learning, including youth who are: BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergent or English Language Learners; and/or who have behavioral needs.
• Encourage and support students to participate in discussions, activities, stories, games and/or songs.
• Treat participants with kindness and respect while consistently maintaining group agreements.
• Clean the site weekly, organize materials, and assist set up and break down of program spaces. 
• Use trauma-informed group management strategies to support student needs.
• Ensure safety of all participants at all times and maintain participant confidentiality. 
• Provide support to school teachers and chaperones to ensure all group needs are met.
• Communicate with program leaders about challenges during programs such as hazards or conflicts.
• Respect and preserve land and facilities for current and future users.
• Adhering to organizational, site, and camp policies at all times. 

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Interest in youth development and outdoor programming.
• Ability to deliver outdoor education lessons, games and activities, using resources and training.
• Ability and/or experience managing small and large groups, facilitating songs, activities, games, storytelling, wilderness skills, and more.
• Ability to compassionately lead diverse groups of fifth- and sixth-grade students outdoors, meeting students where they are at with sensitivity to students’ life experiences and needs.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all students, especially students who have been excluded in outdoor education like students with disabilities, BIPOC students, and LGBTQ+ youth.
• Commitment to creating a clean and safe learning environment including site cleaning duties and assessing risks.

OTHER DESIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS (NOT REQUIRED)

• Prior experience working with youth, particularly outdoors.
• Skills or knowledge in ecology, culture, conservation, wilderness skills (fire, journaling, navigation, shelter, archery), music, crafting, teambuilding, or storytelling
• Proficiency or fluency in Spanish.
• Experience or education in childhood development, particularly equity-centered and trauma-informed.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to and from the site, which may include carpooling with other instructors.

Hiring timeline: The priority deadline to apply is February 3rd via our online application. After this deadline applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. The anticipated start date is April 3rd. 

Other Details: Final candidates will need to complete a criminal history background check. Candidates with disqualifying criminal history will not receive a job offer. Employees must obtain or provide proof of First Aid+CPR certification for adults and children and complete a background check through the Oregon Department of Education, which can be provided by Whole Earth Nature School.

Contact us with questions about this position at [email protected]