Bilingual Environmental Science Educator

Have you always wanted to work in a National Park? Are you a passionate, dedicated educator who is enthusiastic about working with youth? NatureBridge offers full-time educator positions with health benefits, housing, and paid time off. Apply today! 

About the position

NatureBridge provides overnight environmental science education experiences for more than 30,000 students and their teachers every year in the world’s best classrooms: our National Parks. Our mission is to connect young people to the science and wonder of the natural world, igniting self-discovery, and inspiring stewardship of the planet. Through our programs, students explore the outdoors, connect with their peers, discover themselves and develop a lasting relationship with science and the environment around them. 

The Bilingual Educator (Spanish) role teaches and supports learning groups with high need in English-language support and/or who primarily speak Spanish. This role is filled by educators with recognized skills or competencies in bilingual teaching and interpretation

NatureBridge Educator Schedule – Video: What is it like to work at NatureBridge?

Environmental Science Educator (ESE) schedule varies week-to-week. ESEs can expect to deliver environmental science and team-building programs from 9am – 4pm for 3-5 day programs Monday – Friday, with variability during schools’ arrival and departure days. ESEs also run evening programs 2-3 times a week from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. On a regular program day, the ESE receives up to 30 minutes of paid preparation time. ESEs attend regular meetings with other ESEs, and the education and operations teams to discuss program updates and collaborative feedback to the community workplace. This position also co-teaches summer day camp programming from June-August.

Tasks and functions

During Program:

• Lead multi-day, student-centered, experiential environmental science programs in outdoor settings, individually and with a co-teacher.
• Facilitate inclusive, culturally relevant instruction that incorporates multiple perspectives and connects learning to students’ lives and communities.
• Engage students in scientific practices through hands-on investigations, while tailoring programming to meet the specific needs of each school group, align with teacher-defined outcomes, and reflect the NatureBridge Theory of Change.
• Follow NatureBridge risk management policies and procedures, and use sound judgment to make decisions and manage risk while managing students’ physical and emotional well-being when leading groups in outdoor settings. Administer and document first aid as necessary and appropriate, and document as required by NatureBridge.
• Provide responsive bilingual instruction to students in both Spanish and English
• Work collaboratively with the cooperating teacher & students to provide the most appropriate program based on the child’s target language skills and readiness for English instruction
• Foster a supportive, respectful learning environment and model responsible environmental behavior.
• Design and lead evening programs or assist guest presenters and partners

Outside of Program:

• Serve as an educator on standby when scheduled.
• Assess and document student learning; contribute to program reflection, evaluation and improvement.
• Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and program debriefs and complete all required paperwork in a timely fashion.
• Maintain gear and contribute to campus stewardship.
• Contribute to fundraising efforts by sharing stories from the field.
• For staff in NatureBridge Housing: Follow all housing policies and co-created community agreements.
• Build respectful, supportive relationships with staff, volunteers, and participants and provide high-quality customer service.
• Support campus operations and organizational goals through additional duties as assigned, such as event support, special projects, and community stewardship.

Compensation:

• $17.14/hour, daily and weekly work hours vary based on programming demand.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Option for a 403b retirement plan with employer match after six months
• Paid vacation, training days, and sick leave
• Other benefits include Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and more
• On-site housing may be provided as a benefit of employment. Housing varies by campus.

Eligibility Requirements and Qualifications

We are looking for candidates who have:

• At least 1 year of relevant formal or informal teaching experience
• Verbal and written proficiency in Spanish; ability to interpret and translate between Spanish and English
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in environmental science, education, or a related field.
• Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR, EpiPen certification, or willingness to obtain shortly after hire at your own expense (tuition aid available) to effectively manage risk in the field.
• Physically able to work outdoors in adverse weather and on varied terrain.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion, and a willingness to engage in ongoing learning and reflection.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills across diverse communities.
• Capacity to pivot quickly and manage logistical changes with composure.
• Receptive to feedback and coaching.
• Punctual, reliable, completes paperwork in a timely fashion.
• Available to work flexible hours, including evenings and occasional weekends.

If you are interested in the role and do not meet every requirement listed, please still apply! We are interested in applicants with unique lived experience and skill sets.

*Employment eligibility is contingent on successful completion of a background check. 

Why should you join the NatureBridge team?

• We are a mission-driven organization that values your contributions and supports you in making a positive impact on youth and the environment
• You will get to work in a beautiful natural setting with other dedicated educators who are passionate about the environment
• We are invested in supporting our educators through professional development & mentorship.

NatureBridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate based on any protected category, including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, gender, gender expression (including transgender expression or pregnancy), political affiliation, age, immigration status or disability. We encourage qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. Please let us know if you require any accommodation.