Naturalist – 2020 – 2021 School Year

~ Exploring New Horizons Outdoor Schools in Loma Mar is one of three Outdoor education programs run by Exploring New Horizons (ENH). ~

ENH provides exceptional outdoor residential education to K-8 students at three unique locations through a rich and relevant curriculum tied to state and national education standards. Serving over 8,000 students from 95 schools annually from the SF Bay area and the Central Coast, ENH offers customized programs at our three campuses: Pigeon Point, Loma Mar and Sempervirens. The Loma Mar program consists of 4 and 5 day programs for 5th and 6th grade students.

Inspiring, empowering, and transforming children’s lives through outdoor education.

Position Overview

ENH is committed to educating and empowering children to make thoughtful, conscious, and sustainable choices for themselves and the environment. By providing children rich educational opportunities to safely explore the natural, unplugged world, our naturalists foster a sense of adventure and love of learning while encouraging children to creatively envision and work together towards a positive future.

Naturalists work with the same small group of 15–22 students throughout each week to engage children with an exceptional outdoor curriculum and intentional team-building exercises. Naturalists are responsible for the development of trail activities and curriculum, assisting with evening programs and program implementation. The skilled naturalist is the first in line to monitor the health and safety of students within the program.

Responsibilities

Teaching Groups:

• Conduct daily discovery walks with the students. The Introductory Walk is 2 to 2-1/2 hours and is focused upon introducing students to basic information and procedures. On subsequent days, the discovery hikes range from 5 to 6 hours in length, and focus upon curricular activities in one of three natural communities each day: Redwood Forest, Oak Woodland, and Pacific Coast. On the last day of the week, a Closing Walk of approximately 30 minutes to one hour is conducted to conclude the week for each trail group.
• Develop lessons that incorporate activities demonstrating basic ecological concepts, group and self esteem building and development of citizenship skills. Strategies include hands-on explorations, dramatics, nature games, and creative writing.
• Monitor the implementation of Exploring New Horizons risk management and safety procedures in the field setting.
• Manage and care for all Exploring New Horizons field equipment.
• Naturalists usually work with the same trail group for the entire week. This provides curricular continuity and consistency for each group and allows naturalists to more effectively meet the behavioral and learning needs of their students.
• Support the development of positive group learning and team environment. Introduce team building opportunities to encourage positive communication, leadership and individual development.

Evening Programs:

• Prepare and participate in a night hike each week and one additional evening activity.
• Activities include a town hall style meeting, in which students role play and debate a development issue, the ‘Barnyard Boogie,’ where naturalists play instruments and teach dances, or Skit Night, where students perform skits they have been practicing throughout the week.
• Each evening activity is approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours in length and is followed by a campfire program.
• Naturalists are expected to work two evenings a week.

Rotational & Miscellaneous Duties (conduct the following duties once or twice each week):

• Meals: Two staff members work each meal for up to 200 people in the dining hall and facilitate pre and post-meal announcements and assembly, set-up and clean-up. A loud voice and group management skills are essential to the success of each meal.
• Lights-Out: Naturalists work 1-2 lights out per week. This involves assisting counselors in getting students to bed at night and ensuring that patrols begin.
• Projects: Assist program as needed by Program Director. Project weeks sometimes include: serving as a cabin counselor, working evening programs, working meals and other Monday/Friday jobs, assisting Program Coordinator in school visits, assisting Garden Coordinator, program maintenance and building curriculum for the program.

Counselors:

• Provide support and feedback throughout the week for the high school counselors.
• Complete a written evaluation for the high school counselors that assist their trail groups for the week.

Rotational Jobs (about 6 Weeks per Year):

• Counselor Coordinator: The CC is responsible for counselors during off times and evenings. The CC helps to train the counselors on the first day, meets with them throughout the week and communicates with the rest of the staff about their status. The CC is on-call at least twice during their week at night to assist counselors and students who need help.
• Cabin Counselor: When there are not enough volunteer cabin counselors, serve as a cabin counselor for the week.

Qualifications

• Prior experience working with school aged students.
• At minimum, a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Education, Environmental Science, Biology or equivalent experience.
• Able to work a flexible schedule, evenings and weekends included.
• Ability to move through a variety of terrains, including flat, rocky and mountainous terrain.
• Capability to work in a variety of temperature and weather conditions.
• Ability to see and respond to written, auditory and verbal instruction.
• Practice non-violent communication skills with students, teachers, counselors and co-workers (positive tone, kind and professional attitude).
• Housing provided, all naturalists must live on site during program weeks.
• Possess a valid driver's license and clean driving record.
• All staff must possess a current Standard First Aid and CPR certificate prior to employment.
• Wilderness First Responder or WFR is encouraged.
• All Naturalists must be TB tested before employment.
• Additional pay ($5.00/day) is given for a current Teaching credential, a MS/MA in a related field, or certification as an EMT.

Compensation

• Status: $70- 75 per day with extra pay for additional duties, and depending on experience and qualifications
• Supervisor: Program Director
• Benefits: Monthly health stipend, room and board through work year
• Hours: Full Time during program weeks (September - June)

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to upload your cover letter, application (found on website), and resume to Bridget Posson or by mail: P.O. Box 37, Loma Mar, CA 94021. For more information please visit our website.

~ Exploring New Horizons Outdoor Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age in any of its policies, procedures or practices. ~