This position supports education programs at the Environmental
Learning Center from February through early December. Program
instructors facilitate the Institute’s 5th grade overnight outdoor
school program - Mountain School - in the Spring and Fall. Summers are
spent delivering a variety of adult, youth, and family programs based
in and around the Learning Center. A successful candidate may hail
from a variety of professional backgrounds but loves teaching, being
outdoors, and is inspired to work with children. There are multiple
positions available.
Position Location and Description
The work location for the Environmental Program Instructor is at
the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center (ELC) located in
the heart of the North Cascades National Park on the shore of Diablo
Lake. Mountain School takes place from February to the beginning of
June. Summer activities proceed from June to early September.
Mountain School resumes in September and continues to mid-December.
Depending on interest and experience, the summer role is either
focused on Summer ELC-Based Programs (see below) or may instead
support Youth Leadership Adventures (see below).
Spring & Fall:
Mountain School
Mountain School is our principal school-based education program. It
is a nationally recognized overnight outdoor school experience that
annually serves approximately 3000 participants. Students spend three
days and two nights at the ELC, hike under towering trees, explore
terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and learn about the rich natural
and cultural history of one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.
Summer:
ELC-Based Programs
Family Getaways - Summer camp for families and friends. Instructors
host and teach a variety of engaging activities for all ages
including, day hikes, nature based activities, natural history
lessons, paddling on our big canoes, and campfire programs.
Conferences and Retreats - Instructors support these activities by
teaching short programs, leading canoe outings, and engaging with
guests to help NCI reach a broader audience. Events range from medical
training to scientific conferences to wedding weekends.
Base Camps - Educational weekend retreats for individuals, families,
friends, or anyone who is looking to learn about and explore the North
Cascades. Instructors host and teach short programs throughout the weekend.
OR
Youth Leadership Adventures (YLA)
Youth Leadership Adventures offers backcountry canoeing and
backpacking trips for high school-aged youth. Courses incorporate
backpacking, canoeing, outdoor skills, and service learning. The
curriculum covers natural and cultural history, climate solutions,
leadership, and community engagement. Each trip has 2 instructors and
10 students.
Responsibilities
- Trail Group Leader: Deliver lessons on natural and cultural
history, lead program participants for short hikes on National Park
trails, oversee group management.
- Camptender: assist with program logistics, provide mealtime
supervision, maintain and manage program inventory, and address
other support needs.
- ELC Incident Commander: on a rotating basis, including
"evening on-call" duties:
- During Mountain School, support school staff in the evenings with
issues of student morale, student health, room lockouts, etc.
-
Operate as the first contact point for participants and staff when
reporting a situation that requires staff attention or
intervention.
- Operate as initial leader of any response in
accordance with risk management policies.
- Communicate as
appropriate with ELC leadership.
- Lead and paddle canoe programs in both tandem and larger canoes,
from 2-18 participants. Training will be provided.
- Support risk management policies and participate in incident
responses as required.
- Provide ELC facilities, housekeeping, and kitchen staff with
support as needed.
- Occasional participation in Marketing and Development projects:
photography, blog posts, etc.
- Other duties as assigned.
Working Environment
- The location is remote, in the forested mountains of the North
Cascades ecosystem, and is home to many forms of wildlife - animals
and plants that require knowledgeable and responsible cautionary
behavior. Employees are required to use appropriate safety equipment
and follow standard safety practices.
- Given the remote setting, reliable transportation is required.
- Weather can vary from hot and dry to cold, rainy, and snowy.
Candidates must be able to use personal outdoor equipment to lead
programs in all weather conditions.
- The position requires occasional travel by car to other worksites
or meeting places.
- Working hours occasionally include evenings, weekends, and overtime.
Physical Demands
- Sit, stand, dance, talk, yell, sing, and hear, use hands and
fingers to operate field equipment; reach with hands and arms.
- Job duties are often carried out while hiking over uneven terrain
with participants.
- Candidates will be trained to use and lead canoe programs during
summer programs.
- Candidates must be able to lift, load, pack, and carry teaching
materials and field equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
Key Dates:
Anticipated Start Date: As soon as possible
Anticipated End Date: December 11, 2024
Application Deadline
Review of applications will begin immediately.
To Apply
Please apply online on our website at:https://ncascades.org/jobs. Complete the online
application and upload a resume and a cover letter.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at
North Cascades Institute. The Institute does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender
expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental
disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status,
age, citizenship or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its
policies or programs.
About North Cascades Institute
North Cascades Institute's mission is to inspire environmental
stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature.
Since 1986, we have helped connect people, nature and community
through science, art, literature and the hands-on study of natural and
cultural history. Our goal is to help people of all ages and
backgrounds experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests,
people and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest - so all will care for
and protect this special place.
Opened in 2005, the Learning Center is a collaboration between North
Cascades Institute, the National Park Service, and Seattle City Light,
The Learning Center is in the heart of some of North America’s most
beautiful, wild landscapes and offers extraordinary opportunities for
outdoor recreation and nature connection. This region has been
inhabited by native tribes for over 9,000 years and native culture and
society remain active and vibrant in their ancestral homelands here.
- Enthusiasm and experience teaching and/or leading elementary
and/or middle school youth.
- Good judgment, flexibility, and the ability to work independently.
- Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
- Ability to work and live in a small, rural community.
- Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, valid
through the term of employment - successful applicants may attend a
WFR course at the ELC at no cost, while existing certification will
translate to a higher wage.
Final offer of employment is contingent upon the successful
completion of a background check that may include employment history,
national criminal background check, national sex offender registry
search and a driving history check.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of scientific principles, and how to teach them.
- Experience working collaboratively with individuals from
underserved populations.
- Experience employing different teaching methods and styles to
accommodate different audiences and learning styles.
- Knowledge of the North Cascades natural and cultural history.
- Spanish language proficiency.
Compensation
This is a temporary/seasonal, full-time, nonexempt position.
- Pay is $17-$18 per hour, depending on experience and training.
- Overtime pay is 1.5x base pay and will occasionally be required.
- Most weeks instructors will work approximately 35-40 hours. Some
weeks, especially around season transitions and school holidays,
will have lighter hours.
Seasonal Benefits include:
- Paid holidays: 8 days
- Sick leave: ~8 hours per month
- Vacation leave: 4 days (32 hours)
- Service days: 2 days
- Wilderness First Responder Certification provided by the Institute
- a $700 value
- $300 yearly stipend to participate in Institute programs
- Ability to participate in Institute pro deals
- Employees are responsible for their own health insurance
This is a bargaining unit position represented by the International
Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District Lodge 751.
All terms and conditions of employment are subject to change in
accordance with a collective bargaining agreement.
The backcountry Youth Leadership Adventure positions will be selected
through a separate internal application process that occurs in April.
Compensation is similar but the details of time and rate are
structured differently due to the nature of the position. When
available, the full job description can be viewed here: https://ncascades.org/jobs.
Housing
Subsidized housing available. Private rooms in shared houses are
often available. In some cases, roommates in shared rooms may be required.