After-School Nature Connection Facilitator

The Emerald Necklace Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to stewarding and improving for all the 1,100-acre linear park system that connects 13 diverse Boston and Brookline neighborhoods from the Back Bay to Dorchester. Discover more about our work and programs at www.emeraldnecklace.org.

Job Title:                    After-School Nature Connection Facilitator

Department:             education

Reports to:                Kent Jackson, Director of Education

position Status:        Temporary (April 2026-June 2026) Part-Time, Non-Exempt

Compensation:         $20.00-$25.00 per hour Dependent on experience

Work Schedule:         Program Days: Monday, and Wednesday, 3:00 pm-5:30 pm

Start date: April 16

Training dates: April 16 and 17,10:00 am–1:00 pm (rain dates: April 22 and 23)

April 27 from 10:00 am-2:00 pm if necessary         

Are you interested in connecting Greater Boston youth to the overwhelming beauty of nature? Would you like to facilitate nature connection experiences in an inspiring, and culturally responsive way? This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who love the outdoors and are interested in working with children.

About the position:

The Emerald Necklace Conservancy is hiring capable, enthusiastic educators to lead nature connection experiences for Boston Public School students who participate in after-school programs. All experiences will take place in Emerald Necklace Parks.

The After-School Nature Connection Program provides inquiry, place-based, and hands-on experiences that use the Art of Questioning to deeply connect participants to nature. The program focuses on the natural inclinations of children (Children’s Passions). For example, wandering/exploration of the surrounding green spaces, skipping rocks, playing hide and go seek, building natural shelters, interacting with insects, and amphibians, playing tag, etc. Our goal is to have youth be self-guided, so they can connect with nature on their terms. One of the many periphery benefits of the program is the exposure to life science concepts that align with the Boston Public School Massachusetts Science Standards even though that is not the goal of the program. The program facilitates Spring and Fall experiences designed for 3rd and 4th grade classes, that are 90 minutes long. The position requires the ability to lift 10-20 pounds.

 Responsibilities:

• Work with Education staff at the Conservancy to prepare to facilitate interactive nature connection experiences in Emerald Necklace parks
• Lead groups of 10-12 participants in hands-on outdoor nature connection experiences
• Monitor program participants in all types of outdoor environments and ensure the safety and comfort of all participants
• Maintain a professional work environment, which includes equipment cleanup and storage of program gear and materials
• Provide basic first aid as needed

Qualifications:

• 1+ years of experience in facilitating outdoor nature connection, environmental education, or outdoor adventure activities for youth
• Experience as a camp counselor, Girl, or Boy Scout Leader, environmental education instructor/teacher, BA or BS in, environmental studies, biology earth science, or related experience
• Experience leading/teaching youth in an outdoor environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Interest in natural history, nature connection, environmental education, and science education
• Strong organizational, time management, oral, and written communication skills
• Skills and ability to work with diverse groups, exercise cultural humility, and implement best practices in inclusion
• Demonstrate a positive attitude while working on a team
• Reliable transportation
• Basic use of standard business software, such as Microsoft Office
• fluency in English
• Ability to speak Spanish/other languages in addition to English is desirable
• Preference given to candidates from the Greater Boston community

Certifications/Requirements

• Must successfully pass background checks including a Criminal Offender Record information (CORI) and Sex offender registry information (SORI)
• Current First Aid and CPR Certification

Please see below for After-School Program Dates (dates are subject to change due to weather conditions, etc.)

Program Dates:

 May: 4,6,11,13,18,20,25,27

June: 1,3, 8,10,15,17