Position Title: Outdoor Educator

Employment Category: Category C

Permanent/Temporary: Seasonal

Reports to: Director of Outdoor Programs

Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Schedule (hours and weeks): Full-time

Benefits Eligible: Yes

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
 

The Outdoor Educator position is a 3-season position spanning the beginning of May through the end of October. During the spring and fall, educators work with residential school programs leading groups of students on base-camping trips, saltwater canoe trips, and day programs to teach outdoor living skills, team building, farm and food curricula, and ecology through facilitating a variety of place-based teaching methods and styles. During overnight programs educators live with their students and a school chaperone in small camping groups at shore-side campsites on Chewonki Neck, sleeping in tents, and cooking over open fires are a part of the core curriculum to facilitate positive learning experiences in nature. The team of 15 Outdoor Educators facilitate approximately 140 groups over the course of the spring and fall Outdoor Classroom seasons. 

During the summer season, Outdoor Educators take on responsibilities within Camp Chewonki, in many cases as trip leaders. 

In addition to their job responsibilities by season, educators are expected to take initiative and be part of the greater community, to support the Chewonki mission of promoting personal growth, natural history, and community development.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
 

• Lead four day base camping and saltwater canoe trips for schools; this includes:

  • Finalize itinerary, teaching blocks and all other logistics

  • Pack food and gear for duration of program

• While leading assigned program, effectively implement the following:

  • Hold the risk management and group management for the duration of the program

  • Teach scheduled activities and outdoor living skills

  • Professionally represent Chewonki while in the field 

  • Appropriately communicate with the OP admin team as needed

  • Hold responsibility for physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of participants; this includes:

    • Develop healthy and appropriate relationships with participants

    • Manage risk and maintaining the safety of participants

    • Provide direct supervision of participants as assigned

• Develop a positive co-leader dynamic between other Chewonki co-leaders and/or school chaperones

• Develop and maintain a teaching mastery of the core components of the Outdoor Classroom while maintaining a positive and fun learning environment: 

  • Outdoor living skills

  • Team building facilitation

  • Ecology curriculum 

  • Farm and food systems.

• Support other Outdoor Classroom programs when not in the field by assisting with equipment repair, food stocking, guest teaching lessons, driving, or other tasks as needed. 

• Camp Chewonki Season (Summer)

  • Most Outdoor Educators work as Trip Leaders in the summer (LINK TO TL DESCRIPTION)

• Maintain a high level of professionalism and develop rapport and collaborate in a warm and professional manner with students, chaperones, and co-workers

• Complete all necessary paperwork, i.e. incident reports, camper reports, trip reports, etc.

• Learn and uphold the Chewonki Foundation’s Mission, DEI statement, and Chewonki protocols as stated in the Staff Handbook and Outdoor Programs Protocols

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 21 years old

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Current Wilderness First Responder Certification

• Pass background check

• Ability to lift up to 50 lb and work in an active, outdoor environment in a variety of weather conditions

• Ability to live and work in a small community

• The Chewonki Foundation requires that 100% of staff are vaccinated against COVID-19, as allowed for by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Proof of completed COVID-19 vaccination will be required upon acceptance of a job offer. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid Driver’s License approved by Chewonki’s insurance carrier

• Experience in the outdoor or experiential education field 

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in related field

APPROXIMATE 2023 DATES  

Position Start Date: April 10, 2023

Position End Date: October 27, 2023

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The starting salaries for Outdoor Educators are differentiated by season below. Pay rate increases based on relevant certifications (Lifeguard, Registered Maine Guide, American Canoe Association Instructor, Swiftwater Rescue, etc). The two salaries are combined and spread evenly over the employment period. 

Salary:  Salary for the Camp Chewonki season starts at a base rate of $4,500.00 for the approximately 9 week season. Salary for the Outdoor Classroom season (fall and spring) starts at $410.00 per week, housing is included throughout employment and meals when served during Chewonki programs.

Room and Board: As part of your employment, most educators live at the Chewonki Snow Squall property in Wiscasset, Maine. This property is the form Snow Squall Inn and is located 7 miles from Chewonki’s main campus. Each educator will have a private room and a shared bathroom, kitchen, and living spaces.  Meals are provided when on-campus programming is happening. 

Paid Time Off: Educators accrued one half (.5 day) Paid Time Off day each pay period.  PTO is taken with supervisor approval in consideration of program schedule. 

Health Insurance: Health insurance is available in accordance with the Affordable Care Act as a Category C employee.