Summer/Fall Outdoor Educator

Join our 2026 Educator Team for the Summer and Fall! Help students, teachers, and adults connect with the natural world through hands-on learning at The Ecology School at River Bend Farm in Saco, Maine. As an Ecology Educator, you’ll lead immersive, place-based lessons; live and learn alongside fellow educators; and gain meaningful experience in outdoor education, youth development, adult program management, and nonprofit operations. A successful educator will have a passion for education, high mental and emotional stamina, and a drive to support our community, programs, and the experiences of our guests.

About The Ecology School at River Bend Farm: The Ecology School has made the study of ecology accessible and enjoyable for tens of thousands of people since 1998. What began as a small overnight program for students on the coast of Maine has expanded to reach individuals of all ages. Relocating to River Bend Farm in 2021 has enabled year-round immersive programs where learners of all ages can live together and learn outdoors, as well as community events designed to amplify the efforts of like-minded partners working in ecology, sustainability, and food systems.

position Overview: As an educator you will primarily work with 4th-9th grade students, with the potential to work with both older and younger students, as well as adults during the summer. While demanding, this dynamic style of teaching provides exposure to a wide range of individuals and personalities, resulting in a breadth of experience and the ability to increase teaching adaptability. You will be given the opportunity to design your own lesson plans based around our in-house curriculum, further deepening curriculum skills and allowing you to strengthen your teaching voice.

As an organization, we emphasize place-based teaching and learning through laughter. Before we head out for lessons, we put on short skits to introduce topics and themes, meaning you’ll have the chance to get into costume and assume the role of anything from a sea star to the doctor of diversity! Lessons at The Ecology School are taught outside across our 311 acre campus. You’ll have access to a plethora of natural features, including 5 miles of forested trails, the Saco riverfront, our 1.25-acre farm, and so much more. With an average group size of 10-12 students, you’ll be responsible for a transformative learning experience full of exploration, experimentation, and wonder!

While school groups are our focus during Spring and Fall seasons, summer programming looks a little different and includes filling many roles, including educator, camp counselor, event host, and farm hand. You’ll work with and teach teachers from across the country during our Teacher Institute to help promote outdoor learning opportunities in the classroom. You will help host various adult groups, resulting in hospitality training as well as extensive networking opportunities. We also have two weeks of summer camp where you will take kids hiking, go canoeing, and sing around the campfire, as well as teach some adventures similar to our school programs.

Seasonal Commitments

Summer (mid-June-August): Educators will be involved in summer camps and programs, teacher professional development programs, and education and hospitality roles during retreats and conferences.

Fall (September – November): The fall educator role mirrors the Spring responsibilities.

*We are looking for staff to join us for either the summer and fall or just the fall itself. We are not currently hiring for just the summer!

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare for, and teach lessons to a group of students (learning group average size: 12 students) generally between 3rd and 8th
• Deliver outdoor lessons, including both day and evening programs.
• Attend and participate in meals (usually sitting at a student table to share the meal and engage students).
• Perform various assigned duties (2-4 per week) such as breakfast or lunch dishes and assist with site set up and clean up before and after programs.
• Work long hours, mostly outdoors on varied terrain, maintaining participant safety and engagement
• Adhere to a set schedule. Our overnight school programming typically begins at 8am and ends at 8:30pm with prep and break time within that shift.
• Assist in hosting adult programs and conferences on campus; could include hosting meals, farm and site tours, or waterfront support.
• Supervise youth in the dorms overnight during camp and occasional school programs.
• Support youth and adults while kayaking or canoeing during our summer programs.
• Attend all scheduled meetings.
• Participate in pre-lesson, pre meal, and mealtime educational skits and songs.
• Drive to and from outreach programs on occasion. Mileage is reimbursed and a car is not required.
• Assist in developing curriculum, skits, and program materials for The Ecology School.
• Consult with Ecology School Program Admin and teachers/chaperones to make decisions regarding youth conduct.
• Develop good rapport and positive relations with guests, youth, and fellow educators.
• Live in shared staff housing with co-workers, sharing in cleaning responsibilities.

What You’ll Gain

• Experience preparing and implementing lesson plans and adapting content to a wide variety of different learners.
• A deeper understanding of personal teaching style, strengths, and skillset through experience and feedback.
• Connection to our extended community of professional environmental educators who make up an informed, passionate, and fun-loving network.
• Expansion of professional network through working with teachers during school programs and a diverse group of professionals during summer programming.

Compensation & Benefits

• A starting stipend of $450 per week. Returning Educators are eligible for additional compensation of $15/week.
• Free, furnished housing, with washing machine, for the duration of employment, including weekends
• Meals are provided during onsite overnight programming. Many dietary accommodations are available.
• Access to farm-fresh produce.
• Extensive training in outdoor education and imbedded staff development
• Access to our private Saco River waterfront and boating equipment
• Ecology School gear including a T-shirt, water bottle, stickers, field guide, and curriculum guide

Who You Are (Qualifications)

• Willing to be a strong contributor to a living and learning community of ecology educators.
• Able to work long hours, mostly outdoors, managing groups of children.
• Able to adapt and problem solve in-the-moment.
• Have some experience working with students.
• Have a BS or BA degree or equivalent life/work experience.
• Have completed training in CPR and First Aid prior to employment.
• Willing to learn science and ecology content and Ecology School teaching methodology with an openness to feedback.
• Lifeguard experience is helpful, but not required.
• Experience working with a variety of learners (multi-lingual, neuro-diverse, etc.) is helpful but not required.

Living and Community Expectations: Educators are provided with housing for the duration of employment in one of two staff houses fully furnished with all basic amenities, including washer/dryer, heat, and a full kitchen. In addition to the provided housing, you will have access to our campus trails and waterfront, two nature preserves within a mile walk, and a 15-minute drive will get you into downtown Biddeford/Saco, and 30 minutes to Portland. Living with the folks you are working very closely with provides a great opportunity and takes commitment and openness to communal living.  Staff housing includes educators, as well as some of our operations staff – kitchen and farm. We put heavy emphasis on community with a focus on equity and inclusion, allowing for a supportive workplace, comfortable living space, and the potential for lifelong friendships with like-minded educators and staff from a diverse range of backgrounds.

The Ecology School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type with regards 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 law.