Program Instructor

Program Instructor, Outdoor School, Multnomah Education Service District (Seasonal)

Department: Outdoor School

Program: Outdoor School

Reports to: Site Supervisor and Program Supervisor

Compensation: $953.00 per Sun-Fri week/contracted 

Overnight Stipend $50/per night spent on site

Hiring timeline:  

Deadline for Applications: JAN 10th

Inital Phone/Online Interviews: Jan 14th and 15th

Candidates who are selected for an initial interview will be contacted by Jan 13th 2025

Interviews are planned for Jan 22nd and 23rd

ongoing if necessary

Job location: Locations vary depending on the program. Job sites include the MESD office in Portland, various sites in Multnomah County and one coastal site. 

This is a seasonal exempt position.

Send questions to: ahussey@mesd.k12.or.us

Session Dates

In-Town Training Week: March 3rd-7th

Prep Week:: March 9th-21st (Onsite and Portland Office, non work days March, ) 

Week 1 March 16th -21st

Spring Break March 23rd-29th (Off Site, not working)

Week 2:: March 30th-April 4th

Week 3:: April 6th-11th

Week 4:: April 13th-18th

Week 5:: April 20th-25th

Week 6:: April 27th-May 2nd

Spring Break II May 4th-9th

Week 7:: May 11th-16th

Week 8:: May 18th-23rd

Week 9:: Mon May 26th-30th 

Benefits:

• Overnight Stipend
• Sick Pay
• Employee Assistance Program-free mental health counseling and supports
• Professional development training, professional coaching, and mentoring
• Access to EDI and environmental education library
• Regular social gatherings

POSITION PURPOSE: 

Outdoor School staff members will be a part of a collaborative educational team implementing an immersive overnight learning experience for 6th-grade students. High school students provide mentorship and community development and are empowered to become teachers themselves, teaching hands-on immersive science in the field. Outdoor School employees will work collaboratively and responsibly with their team and the Outdoor School leadership staff. Staff should be receptive to different outcomes, accept and incorporate feedback, and be positive team players through honest communication, altruism, and respectful actions. As an Outdoor School employee, you are expected to work the hours assigned, communicate and engage with your supervisor, and uphold the mission and values of the Outdoor School program.

At Outdoor School we believe that every individual is equal, valuable, and welcome. We work to acknowledge and celebrate our differences, whatever they may be. Inclusion means everyone and together we will strengthen our skills to work and live with others that are alike and different from ourselves. At Outdoor School we are building a community where everyone is honored for exactly who they are.  

We work to uphold these values by:

• Prioritizing and centering racial equity in all aspects of the program
• Normalizing the use and sharing of pronouns
• Providing relevant and consistent equity trainings every session
• Commitment to a growth mindset, open to feedback, reflection, and active engagement
• Using trauma-informed, culturally responsive student support strategies

NATURE & SCOPE: 

Are you ready for the hardest job you’ll ever love? Join us in an inspiring role where you will lead, mentor, and create lasting memories with middle school students in the beautiful Oregon landscape. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact while working in a rewarding, outdoor setting that fosters growth, inquiry, and community.

How You Will Make an Impact:

Lead and Inspire: Support and guide teams of sixth-grade students and high school volunteers through engaging activities and science field studies, fostering a spirit of inquiry and positive social-emotional development. MESD Outdoor School is one of the largest Outdoor Schools in the state, serving about 7000 6th graders and 1000 high school students in Multnomah County.

Mentor and Role Model: Serve as a mentor and coach to high school leaders, encouraging students to thrive both academically and personally while building confidence and resilience. High School Student Leaders take on teh role of cabin leaders and teachers, as a staff member you support their successes and development. MESD Outdoor School is recognized as a leader in the state for their high school mentoring program. 

Collaborative Community: Work alongside a dedicated staff who share your passion for mentorship and education, living on-site and creating a close-knit community focused on shared goals.

Celebrate Diversity: Actively contribute to our mission as an Anti-Racist organization, creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all participants.

Nature Engagement: Spend your days outdoors, interacting with the natural world, and facilitating students’ connections to their environment and local ecosystems.

Skill Development: Gain invaluable skills in teaching, leadership, and mentorship, including conflict resolution and effective communication, while working with diverse groups of people.

Emotional and Physical Safety:  Collaborate with students to ensure their well-being and safety, fostering an environment where everyone feels secure and supported.

Cultural Respect: Honor and respect the Indigenous lands of the Chinook and Kalapuya nations, integrating their perspectives into your work.

Community Engagement: You will play a vital role in fostering a strong sense of community within the 6th-grade program. You will engage with various stakeholders, including engage with all level of the 6th grade community, families, principals teachers, counselors, cooks, and site managers. By actively engaging with all levels of the 6th-grade community, you will contribute to creating a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES: 

• Daily and consistent attendance and punctuality

You Are Someone Who:

• Is passionate about youth mentorship and education, eager to support and empower students.
• Thrives in an outdoor environment, valuing hands-on learning and exploration.
• Communicates openly and honestly, valuing teamwork and collaboration.
• Demonstrates kindness and altruism in all interactions, building trust and rapport with students and peers.
• Is adaptable, ready to respond to the needs of students in various situations.
• Embraces diversity, recognizing the strengths that come from different backgrounds and experiences.

We have two positions we hire for, role, site placement is based on skills, strengths, interviews, team dynamics, and availability. 

Program Leaders: Support the social-emotional well-being of our 6th-grade students. This role involves facilitating conflict resolution, promoting social-emotional skill development, and providing mentorship and support to high school student teachers.

Field Instructors: Contribute to the implementation of a hands-on, student-centered 6th-grade science curriculum. This role involves training high school student teachers, supporting the delivery of ecology lessons rooted in place-based learning and social-emotional growth, and mentoring and providing feedback to high school volunteers on teaching techniques and behavior management.

Join Us:

If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people and embark on a unique journey filled with challenges, laughter, and personal growth, we invite you to apply. Together, we will create unforgettable experiences in the great outdoors!

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Implements the overnight Outdoor School schedule and program. Lives on site during the Outdoor School program season. (Sun-Fri) Participates fully in all dates and facets of the Outdoor School on-site program, including meals, meetings, and events. Typical days are 16 hours in length. Typical weeks run from Sunday to Friday. At times, Staff may be asked to sleep in cabins to support the supervision of 6th-grade students. Staff can expect one night off a week, as well as additional scheduled time off during the week. 

• Fulfills job expectations safely, thoroughly, and in compliance with MESD and program policies and procedures.
• Provides back-up support to other Outdoor School staff as needed.
• Assist in site set-up, weekly cleaning, and closing each session.
• Assist in the inventory, care, and maintenance of program supplies and equipment.
• Valid First Aid/CPR* (AED) Card, Bloodborne Pathogens*, Food Handler’s Card, and MESD SafeSchools* Training by the first day of employment.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Ability to secure transportation to and from the Outdoor School site and equip self with appropriate personal gear to stay warm, safe, and prepared to work in the Outdoor School environment. Raincoats and some gear are available to borrow.

*training provided by MESD during training week upon acceptance of the position

Additional Skills that are Valued*

• Bilingual-pay differential for full fluency (read, write, translate, communicate for agency as needed) Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic, Somali, Korean
• Experience in outdoor recreation or working with children/adolescents or experience in a related education/caregiving role.
• Science degree
• Experience with diverse communities
• Experience with students with special needs
• Diverse life experiences and knowledge
• Experience implementing trauma-informed care and/or supporting youth with mental health needs.
• Experience implementing restorative justice models in an educational setting or similar setting working with youth.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Position Overview: This is a temporary position based on a school participation schedule, requiring dedication and flexibility in an overnight Outdoor School setting. As a key member of our team, you will be available to support students and staff 24 hours a day, working to create a safe and enriching environment.

Schedule and Availability:

• Work Hours: You will typically work a six-day week, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• On-Duty Requirements: You must be available at all times for the attendees and staff, including overnight supervision in cabins when necessary.

Physical Environment:

• Rustic Setting: Expect a natural, outdoor environment with uneven hilly terrain, wooded trails, and variable weather conditions.
• Weather Conditions: You will work outdoors regardless of inclement weather, which may include heat, rain, snow, cold, and wind.
• Mobility: The role requires agility and the ability to navigate crowded walkways, rustic buildings, and outdoor sites, which may have slippery surfaces.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Child Supervision: You will supervise groups of children, often kneeling or sitting on the ground to engage with them at their level.
• Physical Tasks: Be prepared to carry various items such as buckets of water, science equipment, and teaching materials.
• Emergency Response: As a first responder, you must be capable of quickly responding to medical emergencies, including administering First Aid/CPR. This may involve getting to ground level or in awkward positions to assist students.

Living Arrangements:

• Housing and Meals: Accommodation is provided from Sunday to Friday in shared rustic cabins or bunk rooms, with basic amenities including showers, electricity, running water, and heating.
• Meal Options: Meals are provided, including vegetarian options with eggs and/or dairy. Employees with special dietary needs are encouraged to bring supplemental food.

Expectations:

• Maintain a positive attitude and commitment to student safety and well-being in a dynamic and sometimes challenging outdoor environment.
• Collaborate closely with fellow staff members to ensure a supportive and effective learning experience for all students.

If you are ready for a rewarding experience filled with challenges and personal growth, we welcome your application to join our team at Outdoor School!

MESD and Outdoor School are committed to a policy of equality in our employment practices. All employees will be treated fairly at all times and without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran or marital status, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, or the presence of any sensory, physical, psychological or learning disability, and all other bases prohibited by local, state, or federal law. MESD and Outdoor School welcomes applications from candidates that expand the agency’s diversity. If you are unsure of how your experience correlates with our qualifications, please reach out to our HR department as we want to ensure that we are reaching as diverse an applicant pool as possible. MESD and Outdoor School programs recognize that diverse workplaces offer the richest learning opportunities, and the diversity of races, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences of the communities we serve must be represented in our leadership to welcome and represent all participants. We strongly encourage people of color as well as folks who are LGBTQA+, multilingual, first-generation, or from other traditionally marginalized communities to join us in our efforts to reclaim, build connections, and create authentic relationships with nature and science

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:

Equity: Lead and support regional equity initiatives

Vision: Lead with vision, follow-through and student focus. 

Trust: Develop trust among coworkers and students through honesty and fairness. 

Communication: Communicate in an inclusive, effective and collaborative manner. 

Personal Qualities: Be respectful, excel in customer service, caring, humble and courageous. 

Agency-wide perspective: Be involved in and supportive of continuous overall improvement of MESD programs and services.

Attendance: Daily and consistent attendance and puncuality are paramount as this provides consistency and alignment with students, peers and programming outcomes.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES: 

• Bilingual or multilingual in [Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian]

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• GED or High School Diploma
• Experience with teaching, teaching outdoors, mentorship, caregiving, and/or school environment
• Any combination of education and experience that would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the job

Work is performed in an outdoor environment subject to weather conditions. Work is performed fully in-person.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Mobility:  Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move around for extended periods of time.
• Lifting: Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Vision:  Visual acuity to read and interpret written and electronic information.
• Dexterity: Ability to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, and operate objects, tools, or controls.
• Hearing/speaking: Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information so others will understand.
• Emotional/Psychological: Ability to maintain composure and professionalism in challenging situations, remain empathetic and understanding towards individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs, handle stress and pressure effectively, and adapt to change in the workplace.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

MESD recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of MESD that  there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender,  sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veterans status,  genetic information or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment. 

Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as  required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities may  contact the Human Resources Director for additional information or assistance.  Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.