Senior Outdoor Educator

Hidden Villa is a nonprofit environmental educational organization that uses its organic farm, wilderness, and community to teach and  provide opportunities to learn about the environment and social justice. Hidden Villa stretches over 1600 acres of open space in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 40 miles south of San Francisco.  

Our mission is to foster educational experiences that build connections and inspire a deeper appreciation and respect for nature, food, and one another.

position description: 

The Senior Outdoor Educator is responsible for curricular, instructional, and logistical support of Hidden Villa’s educational programs. This position reports directly to the Senior Manager of education and manages three Outdoor Educators. The start date for this position is Fall 2026. 

Responsibilities:

Curriculum and Instruction 

• Provide training and support in areas of curriculum and instruction to staff and volunteer guides for all programs
• Facilitate collaborative processes for development and revision of curriculum for education programs
• Deliver education programs to students and participants and be open to modeling teaching strategies for other educators
• Observe and provide kind, clear coaching and feedback to other instructors and volunteer guides
• Collaborate with the Education team to design and implement program evaluation tools to assess effectiveness and impact
• Contribute to creating an annual professional development plan
• Be willing to be trained in belaying and facilitating  groups on a high ropes challenge course
• Be willing to be certified in First Aid and CPR as a trainer, and provide certification to Hidden Villa staff and guides

Program Management

• Supervise and manage three outdoor educators
• Provide administrative support for programs, including first aid, teacher communication, and logistical support
• Collaborate on creating staffing schedules
• Assist in regularly updating training and program manuals
• Provide support to Volunteer Coordinator in guide management

 Other Duties 

• Offer instructional support for other departments
• Communicate with farm, property and other departments for updates and program needs
• Represent Hidden Villa in regional and statewide networks and conferences
• Contribute to department and organizational strategic efforts around service, access, outreach, impact and program design and delivery
• Occasionally support organization-wide weekend or evening events
• Provide responsive, kind customer service to Hidden Villa program participants and guests
• Other duties as assigned

Desired Skills, experience and Qualities 

• At least 2 years of experience in environmental education or related field
• Experience in program and/or curriculum development and familiarity with the Next Generation Science Standards
• Experience facilitating professional development learning opportunities and workshops
• Experience in a coaching or mentorship
• Excellent knowledge of effective instructional practices in the outdoors, which can include familiarity with BEETLES project, social emotional learning, and culturally responsive teaching
• Sound understanding of natural history and farm/garden education concepts
• Must complete and pass a livescan background check
• Personal commitment to the values of diversity, inclusion and social justice
• A personal commitment to the value of sustainability, especially in animal welfare and land stewardship.

Physical Requirements

• Regular and consistent attendance and the ability to sit at a desk and/or work outdoors for at least eight (8) hours per day and five (5) days per week.
• Physical ability to stand, reach, bend, kneel, stoop, climb, walk, crawl, push, pull, and lift items weighing up to 40 pounds.

Hidden Villa considers a broad range of applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. Please consider applying even if you do not meet all the desired qualifications above.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
This is a full-time, exempt (salaried) position and is scheduled for 40 hours/week, M-F with occasional weekend or evening work. The salary for this position is $70,304 per year. This position is fully benefitted, including paid time off, health insurance and retirement. A language stipend is available for bilingual Spanish/English or Mandarin/English language skills, with proficiency level assessment. Because Hidden Villa is a youth-serving organization, all applicants will be required to complete a background check and Live Scan fingerprinting before hire. Due to the nature of Hidden Villa’s operations, work hours may vary.

Hidden Villa is committed to creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organization at all levels. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.  We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected category.