Environmental Education Instructor (Spring 2027)
About The Position
Under the direction of the Environmental Education Director, Environmental Education Instructors teach environmental education classes, lead team-building activities, perform organization and cleaning tasks, communicate with schools and school leaders, and assist with projects and tasks that support the Outdoor Education Program. Instructors facilitate three-hour environmental education courses for students in grades 6–12, following state and national standards, and help maintain a safe and welcoming environment. The role is seasonal and based at the Estes Park Center in Estes Park, Colorado. Instructors participate in two weeks of staff development covering natural history, team building, adventure, lesson planning, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and working with students with disabilities. The position also includes obtaining Wilderness First Aid certification during training and receiving paid-for certifications in Wilderness First Aid, Project Learning Tree, and BEETLES. YMCA of the Rockies expects staff to uphold its mission and core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and faith; provide excellent customer service; support safety and abuse-prevention policies; and contribute to a cooperative, positive, and flexible atmosphere in a diverse community. Staff are expected to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism, respect shared spaces, and help maintain a community free from harassment, bullying, threats, and violence.
Requirements
- Associate or bachelor's degree in Education, Science, Environmental Studies, Biology, or a similar area of study.
- Experience working with children.
- Must be at least 21 years old.
- Fluency in spoken English.
- Current First Aid and CPR certification.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism.
- Must meet acceptable criminal background check standards.
- Ability to lift 40 pounds.
- Ability to walk up to eight miles on uneven terrain.
Responsibilities
- Participate in Environmental Education training.
- Obtain Wilderness First Aid certification during Environmental Education training.
- Facilitate three-hour environmental education courses for students in grades 6–12, following state and national standards.
- Lead team-building activities.
- Predict, prevent, identify, and respond to safety issues.
- Assist with program development and advancement.
- Perform organization and cleaning tasks and help set up and clean student dorms for 4–8 hours per week.
- Communicate with schools and school leaders.
- Assist with projects and other tasks that support the Outdoor Education Program.
- Uphold the YMCA mission, policies, programs, and core values.
- Provide excellent customer service and promote safe work practices and a safe environment for guests, members, and staff.
- Attend required abuse risk management training and report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
- Promote a cooperative, positive, and flexible atmosphere while working with others in a diverse community.
- Respect shared spaces and help maintain a safe community free from harassment, bullying, threats, and violence.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Three paid-for certifications: Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Project Learning Tree (PLT), and Better Environmental Education Learning Teaching Expertise Sharing (BEETLES).
- Two weeks of staff development training.
- Staff engagement outings, such as hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park and visiting landmarks around Colorado.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
