Field Education Instructor

Teton Science Schools employees inspire curiosity. Our team members are engaged with the world around them. TSS employees are leaders in transformative place-based education for learners of all ages. Whether you’re working in an administrative role or in the field with students, your role at TSS will contribute to the development of lifelong learners and leaders. TSS ensures equal opportunity in education and employment for all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin or veteran status. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate people with physical disabilities.

Job Overview

Pay and Work Schedule: Daily and auxiliary rates (see below); schedule dependent on programming.

Position Dates: Start Date: September 1, hiring on a rolling basis

Position Purpose: In Field Education, the Instructor provides customized place-based education programming for youth, adults and families in residential and non-residential programs. Our classrooms are the trails, forests, and streams of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Qualifications:

• Experience teaching science in the outdoors through a combination of course work and/or professional experience. More than one season is preferred.
• Experience managing risk, traveling, and teaching in the outdoors in variable weather conditions.
• Bachelor’s degree in science, education, or related field; or relevant equivalent experience.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching.
• Willingness to be part of and contribute to the Teton Science Schools community.
• Ability to work non-traditional schedules and weeks, 3-day to 7-day programs, some evenings and weekends, with mid-week days off.
• Willingness to commit to self-directed study in order to be prepared for instruction
• Valid Wilderness First Responder certification
• Valid Driver’s License
• Minimum of 21 years of age
• Successful applicants must pass a criminal history background check and driving record review prior to start date.
• Contribute to inclusive work and learning environments through continually developing cultural competency. Cultural competence is one’s ability to interact effectively across various dimensions of diversity. It lies at the intersection of awareness of others, self-awareness, and applying skills & knowledge to promote inclusion and equity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience teaching inquiry-based field science and natural history in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
• Experience co-teaching and lesson planning within a teaching team.

Responsibilities:

Teaching 

• Develop and implement thematic, place-based, hands-on field science curriculum and evening programs for multi-day, outdoor learning experiences. Programs may include evenings and overnights in hotels or tents.
• Incorporate NGSS and state science standards, TSS educational framework, program logistics, student interests, and teacher requests into instruction.
• Co-teach with AmeriCorps members, grad students, peer educators and engage in professional development through weekly debriefs, lesson planning support, and field observations.
• Ability to adhere to and operate within TSS risk management procedures while managing student physical, social, and emotional risk in the field.
• Facilitate the following while leading field groups of 7-13 people on excursions in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem:
  • Exploration of local natural history
  • Inquiry-based learning
  • Field research
  • Stewardship and citizen-science projects
  • Development of teamwork, communication, and leadership, including facilitation of high and low elements on the Doug Walker Challenge Course
  • Social and emotional learning for students
  • Transference of subject matter back to participants’ home communities
  • Hiking, backcountry travel, and front- and backcountry camping skill development
  • Travel by foot, snowshoe, ski, and canoe depending on the season

Educator Development (embedded within teaching)

• Support mentoring of co-educators through goal setting, program and lesson planning, daily debriefing, and end of program reflection.
• Willingness to have a growth mindset and work with faculty mentors to grow teaching, co-teaching, and facilitation skills through meetings/check-ins, field observations, and feedback sessions.
• Self-directed study of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and educational practices.

Program Support 

• Attend all staff trainings and meetings as required and assigned.
• Assist with cleaning and maintaining residential lodges, teaching spaces, dining lodge, equipment, and supplies.
• Support cleanup with students during and after meals.
• Support all aspects of programming within Field Education.
• Assist with other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Programming based out of Jackson Campus, Kelly Campus, and Murie Ranch of Teton Science Schools. Programming may be based out of any campus of TSS; may include outreach programming in other towns or states; or on camping trips in front- or backcountry settings.
• Stretches of time outdoors in all weather, including extreme temperatures and arid conditions.
• Able to drive 15 passenger vans and minibuses for extended periods.
• Able to carry a backpack of 20+ lbs for 8 hours a day over uneven terrain.

Benefits: 

• Daily rate of $137.50/day for 1st year Instructors, $144 for 2nd year instructors, and $150 for 3rd+ year instructors.
• Additional pay for evening work or other auxiliary duties.
  • Evening Program – – $40
  • Elk Evening Program (used for Evening Programs that include dinner) – – $50
  • Overnight lodge shift – – $80
  • Overnight camping shift – – $100
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• $500 reimbursement for WFR certification (if obtained within 4 months of start date)
• Pro Deals from brand name outdoor companies.
• Limited employee housing available for rent. Pet-free.
• Meals available on campus while working programs.
• Proximity to Jackson, Wyoming and Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

This job description is not meant to state or imply that these are the only duties performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their manager in compliance with federal and state laws.

Application Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis, preference given to those received before Sept. 1, 2023.

Teton Science Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.