Job Purpose

Wenatchee River Institute’s Traveling Naturalist – Field Educator 2 is a program leadership role within the Field Education Program, responsible for a specific programmatic focus area. This position focuses on the Traveling Naturalist program, specifically expanding the program to teach in classrooms and includes a summer component for youth from the seasonal farm worker housing camp. The classroom component will include monthly visits to school classrooms and one or two field trips per class annually (to local sites and/or Wenatchee River Institute). This position is grant funded with the potential for extensions.

Duties & responsibilities

The Traveling Naturalist – Field Educator 2 is responsible for the development, coordination, and implementation of field education programs at WRI within a specific programmatic focus area. The following list of job duties is not an exhaustive list of all tasks associated with the position.

Program Development

• Develop lessons and activities for Traveling Naturalist programs
• Recruit schools and classes to participate in the Traveling Naturalist program
• Develop system for including youth from seasonal farm worker housing camp in summer camps
• Recruit volunteers to work with the Traveling Naturalist program

Program Implementation & Operations

• Lead program coordination in focus program area – including contacting teachers and schools and setting schedules for classroom visits and field trips
• Teach hands-on, science education programs in both classroom and outdoor settings at school sites in regional schools and Wenatchee River Institute campus
• Operate and maintain lab equipment and field equipment
• Manage participants’ physical, social, and emotional safety/risk
• Teach programs independently and as part of a team
• Train, assist, and support volunteers and high school interns

Program Sustainability

• Support Wenatchee River Institute mission and community outreach
• Share in campus stewardship responsibilities
• Take photos of programs and manage for social media and marketing use

Qualifications

The candidate must be organized, self-motivated, outgoing, reliable, punctual, able to work independently without direct supervision, and be an effective, positive team member.

Minimum Qualifications include:

• Relevant experience teaching youth in a formal or informal capacity
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience
• Commitment to stewardship, conservation, and connecting youth to the natural world
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within teaching and community
• Ability to get to Wenatchee River Institute and other programming sites in and around the region
• Current First Aid and CPR certifications (or ability to obtain upon hire)
• Pass a background check
• A valid driver’s license and a clear driving record