Outdoor Educator
Youth Outdoor Workshops runs nature-based afterschool programming for K-3 kids in Richmond - basic STEM, fort building, plant identification, animal tracking, classic outdoor games, and a lot of getting properly muddy. We're Montessori-inspired, which means the kids lead and we follow their curiosity. It's genuinely fun work.
To be considered, you must be available for at least one of the two following programs:
William Fox Elementary: Wednesdays 2:30-5pm, every Wednesday between September 16 -November 4th
William Fox Elementary: Thursdays 2:30-5pm, every Thursday between September 17 - November 5th
What we're looking for:
You have real knowledge of the natural world. Not necessarily across every category, but deep enough somewhere that you're a genuine resource for kids and not just an enthusiastic bystander. Maybe you know your plants, or you've spent serious time with aquatic ecology, or birds are your thing. Whatever it is, it's real and kids can tell. We especially like seeing knowledge on plant and tree ID.
You're good with young children and comfortable in a group setting. You don't need to have teaching experience, but you should have an organic interest in working with kids.
Candidates who move forward from interviews are naturally enthusiastic, confident, and charismatic.
Minimum qualifications:
- Active interest and knowledge in ecology, naturalism, wildcrafting, or biology
- Has reliable transportation
- Available each and every day of our 8-week season
- Comfort working outdoors
- Interested in this role because of an authentic interest in education, not as a back-up.
Preferred:
- Familiarity with Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or other child-led education frameworks
- You can ID at least four different oaks, and can offer intriguing ID and facts on plants in urban enviroments
- Experience teaching or facilitating ourdoor education with children
To apply: Top candidates should send a resume and a short note about your nature background to youthoutdoorworkshops@gmail.com. Tell us what you actually know well - we're more interested in that than a list of credentials.