Seasonal Youth Educator

Job Title: Various seasonal Youth Education positions

Department:  Education

Reports to:  Assistant Director of Youth Learning & Engagement

Classification:   Seasonal Contract 

Employment Dates: 

• Spring positions: March 2-August 28 2026 
• Summer positions: June 8, 2026- August 28th, 2026

Employment times: 8:00-4:00/9:30-5:30 M-F

Salary range:  $148-$188/day based on position and level of experience. 

About Bird Alliance of Oregon 

Bird Alliance of Oregon has been a leading voice in conservation for over a century. Through conservation advocacy, environmental education, and wildlife rehabilitation, we promote the understanding, enjoyment, and protection of native birds, other wildlife and their habitats. We are located in a 172-acre wildlife sanctuary next to Forest Park, just minutes from downtown Portland. 

Bird Alliance of Oregon Education builds inclusive flyways between joy, learning and advocacy in nature to empower a diverse new generation of environmental champions. Through school programs, camps, adult classes, trips, youth leadership, free events and deep collaborations, we expand access to the outdoors; amplify connections between birds, people and place; and create opportunities for all people to care for the natural world in ways that are meaningful for them. Each year, we reach over 10,000 people with programs at our Portland Sanctuary, our cabin near Mt. Hood, and in wildscapes throughout the region and beyond. 

Just as birds connect landscapes across an ecosystem, we understand our work in a rich context of cultural communities, neighborhoods and networks across our region. We seek to build connectivity, common purpose and impact through collaboration. We value the profound legacy of stewardship that people who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color have brought to this work for generations, and we see partnership and mutual aid as essential to everything we do. We’re grateful to spend our days looking up in wonder, and we believe joy is a powerful driver of change, both personal and collective. Together, we hope to foster a lasting, resonant sense of place in the outdoors, and invite everyone to take action for conservation in their own community and throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Position Summary

Bird Alliance of Oregon ’s Seasonal Youth Educators are passionate nature enthusiasts and relationship builders excited to help us run our programs! As part of our team, you’ll lead joyful, curious and collaborative programming for children from all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. You will develop and lead daily activities that center around nature exploration, music and art.  

You’re someone with some experience in outdoor education or teaching in an informal setting (e.g. camps, parks, museums, community centers or comparable spaces), especially in socioeconomically and racially diverse environments. You love nature and are excited about giving kids opportunities to connect with the natural world. It’s essential that all educators have a strong comfort working in multiracial teams, a dedication to creating an anti-racist learning environment, and a commitment to advancing equity and inclusion through their practice. Candidates with lived experience working with youth of color, immigrants, and people from working class families are highly encouraged to apply.

Seasonal Position Overview: 

Seasonal Onsite and Camp Programs Coordinator: March-August, $184-188/day

• Support with onsite school programs coordinating schools, field trips, logistics and subbing when needed 
• Support with camp coordination and logistics during spring and support summer education staff during summer camp programming 

Seasonal Onsite Programs Educator: March-June, $20/hr (extension through August possible)

• Support with our onsite sanctuary field trip programs as the lead educator leading 1 of 3 themes to school aged children Tuesday-Friday 9AM-1PM 

Seasonal lead Environmental Educator: March-August, $168-176/day

• Support the education team in leading all school programs including school partnership programs, field trips offsite and outdoor school. 
• Lead a team of 1-3 summer staff to run summer camp during the summer 

Seasonal Lead Partnership Educator: March-August, $168-184/day

• Support the team to run our work with Hacienda CDC. This includes afterschool programming, Green Leaders- our teen workforce development program, family days and camp.  

Summer Environmental Educator: June-August, $156-176/day

• Support and/or lead a team of 1-3 educators to lead 10 weeks of summer programming. Camps will be onsite with 1st-3rd graders or offsite with 3-8th graders. 

Summer Aftercare Educator: Inclusion Lead: June-August, $168-176/day

• Support our camp programs with support for campers who need a more individualized approach to camp 
• Lead the aftercare team in delivering aftercare each day after the camp day ends. 

Summer Aftercare Support Educator: June-August, $148-156/day

• Join a camp during the day to add additional support to camps. 
• Help run aftercare after camp each day. Support with the creation of art, games and other activities for kids each day. 

Summer East Side Environmental Educator: June-August, $152-176/day

• Support the offsite team in running 6 weeks of camp based out of Glenhaven Park. These programs will travel by van each day to local green spaces and run camps for 2-5th graders. 

Please see each job description on the APPLICATION for Essential Duties and Responsibilities for each position.

Preferred Skills and Experience (not all of these are necessary for every position, please fill out the application HERE to see the each available job description)

• Experience leading programs with children of diverse ages and backgrounds
• Experience in programs in informal or outdoor settings such as parks, playgrounds or forests
• Experience facilitating positive behavior management with youth
• Demonstrated cultural competency and enthusiasm for working with diverse populations, including communities of color, immigrants, and underserved communities
• Knowledge of general forest ecology, Pacific Northwest natural history preferred
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience with music, art or other forms of creative expression desirable
• Second language abilities in addition to English (Spanish, Mandarin/Cantonese, Vietnamese, Somali, Russian) desirable
• Educators who have lived experience in a leadership program for young adults (either as participants or practitioners) are encouraged to apply!

Working Conditions

• Ability to hike 1.5 miles on uneven terrain
• Some positions require a current driver’s license
• Some positions require the ability to transport Bird Alliance of Oregon teaching materials throughout the Greater Portland area
• Some positions, but not all, will require the ability to lift up to 40 pounds to waist level, lead programs in remote settings and/or overnight experiences.
• Ability to be certified in Basic First Aid and CPR
• Ability to follow COVID-19 safety procedures and guidelines
• Ability to be outside all day and be exposed to all weather conditions with limited cover.
• May require constant bending at times