A Mountain Classroom Environmental Education Instructor – Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts

Organization: Appalachian Mountain Club

Job Title: A Mountain Classroom Environmental Education Instructor

Location: 7 locations in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.

Hours, Compensation, and Benefits: $87.70/day (based on $8.77/hour for an average of 10hrs/day); work guaranteed 5 days/week. Bonus of $200+ upon successful completion of entire work season.  Seasonal benefits include AMC membership, use of AMC facilities, and employee discounts.  Optional room and board available for $45/week.

Position Dates: August 20 – November 1st. 2012

Application Deadline: Send in ASAP

Posted On: June 26, 2012

Organization Overview:

The A Mountain Classroom program has served 3,500 students each year in our residential environmental education program. Our teaching is done “in the field” through hands-on learning activities that take place on hikes to exciting backcountry destinations. Students hike and learn in study groups of 8-11 students, 1 school chaperone, and an AMC educator. The larger group will convene for meals and sometimes evening activities but can be together more often if desired.

Programs with A Mountain Classroom are unique in that each school has the freedom to design their own experience. Teachers choose the location, curriculum, and length of program that best suits the needs and goals of their school.

Description:

A Mountain Classroom Environmental Education Instructors are responsible, energetic people who are excited to share their knowledge and love of the outdoors with youth through our hiking-based education program. A Mountain Classroom generally serves 5th-10th grade public, private, and home-schooled groups however groups of older and younger students attend as well. Students participate in 1-5 day experiential programs based at Pinkham Notch, The Highland Center, Cardigan Lodge, the AMC’s backcountry huts, and in local schools and communities. Academic lessons on forest and watershed ecology, map and compass, geology, weather and climate, outdoor skills, and teambuilding are integrated throughout a hiking-based program.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and teach theme-based environmental education lessons.
• Prepare and lead teambuilding activities.
• Organize and teach 2-3 evening programs per week.
• Prepare students for outdoor experiences and teach outdoor skills.
• Lead students on overnight hikes to AMC huts.
• Perform logistics functions for the program including: issuing, collecting, cleaning and maintaining gear, preparing teaching supplies, driving vehicles, and organizing food.
• Lead programs modeling Leave-No-Trace wilderness ethics.
• Ensure the safety of 8 – 10 students in the backcountry.

Qualifications

• Friendly, outgoing, flexible personality with a commitment to and enthusiasm for teaching youth.
• Experience leading student groups.
• Backcountry experience.
• Experiential teaching experience.
• Wilderness First-Aid & CPR certification (WFR preferred) or the ability to obtain certification prior to starting employment.
• B.A. or B.S. with course work in natural sciences, experiential education, or related field.
• Ability to carry a backpack daily, which holds teaching and emergency supplies (approximately 30-40 lbs).
• Satisfactory driving record and background check, as verified by state record check.  21+ years old and ability to obtain DOT medical clearance to drive vehicles preferred.

How to Apply