Individual Placement - Outdoor Education Rangers

Student Conservation Association•Moab, UT

7h•Onsite

About The Position

This position offers an introduction to various public-facing roles within the National Park Service, involving work with two service teams: the Southeast Utah Group NPS education program and the Needles district of Canyonlands National Park. Responsibilities include assisting at the visitor center information desk and participating in visitor services and interpretation duties throughout the park. The education program partners with the local school district to provide hands-on, place-based field trips for students from local public schools in Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, and Hovenweep National Monument, with a home base office in Monticello, UT. This role is ideal for applicants interested in place-based learning, classroom teaching, or outdoor/environmental education.

Requirements

A state-issued Drivers License and be at least eighteen years of age
A strong interest in teaching elementary-aged children and desire to explore careers with the National Park Service
A personal vehicle
Be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger
Be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States

Nice To Haves

Curiosity about making science learning meaningful for students through facilitating connections to their surrounding landscapes
Willingness to live in a rural, isolated area with extremes in weather
Humility and openness to multiple ways of thinking about nature and the environment
Attention to growing as an educator and receiving feedback on teaching and teaching materials
Interest in serving communities surrounding national parks and monuments
A student asset-based (vs. deficit-based) mindset towards education
A collaborative approach to work and the ability to manage projects independently
Previous experience working with youth

Responsibilities

Teach standards-based lessons from the CCOE curriculum, manage students for safety in the outdoors, assist with pre- and post-field trip classroom visits
Prepare and plan for instruction, support education program logistics, safely drive a government vehicle, and complete projects to maintain program quality
Participate in activities to develop education skills including program debriefs, training sessions for best practices in environmental education, informal peer observation, video self-evaluations, and formal coaching sessions
Contribute feedback to program to ensure its continued success
Occasionally present and develop extracurricular programming for area youth which may include junior ranger programs, after school clubs, or community events
Answer questions at the visitor center, provide directions, recommend hiking trails, interact with Junior Rangers, process lost and found items, operate a 2-way radio and telephone, and other duties as necessary
Hike and rove on park trails for the purpose of chatting with visitors, answering questions, and assisting them to gain the most of their visit
Develop and present an informal junior ranger program for youth groups and families and pop-up tables at viewpoints
Possibly research, write, and present a formal interpretive talk and/or assist with special events
Assist with basic program logistics such as organizing teaching materials, maintaining field equipment, preparing bins for upcoming lessons, and restocking supplies after programs
Support classroom teachers and chaperones by helping manage group movement, transitions, and behavior expectations during field days
Help maintain outdoor learning spaces by reporting trail or site hazards, picking up litter, and ensuring teaching areas are safe and ready for student use