Outdoor Education Program Naturalist

~ The Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies is the mountain campus of the Burgundy Farm Country Day School, an independent school for which the priorities are progressive education, diversity, and the natural world. ~

Grades 1-8 attend 3-day overnight programs twice annually. Trips are planned alongside classroom teachers: everyday classroom and outdoor classroom experiences are mutually integrated. BCWS trips interweave hands-on nature and science with language arts, math, and social studies topics. Students study field biology and earth science topics, with increasing challenges and skills from year to year.

BCWS comprises a 506-acre wildlife sanctuary in eastern WV, including ridges, field, thicket and forest, a spring, stream and pond. Most activities take place in and around the lodge, barn, pond, nearby field and forest.

Buildings -- pole-barn structures with electricity -- are clustered in one shaded area. The canopy walkway is about 10 minutes from this area. There is some wireless access. Staff share small screened sleeping cabins nearby. 

Position Overview 

BCWS is seeking candidates for an Outdoor Education Program Naturalist position. 

Workdays are 7 a.m. to about 9 p.m., with regular breaks through the day. Occasional duties later at night may include nightwalks and a few tenting sleep-outs. Most nights, the staff gather to review together and settle details for the coming day.  

Responsibilities 

• BCWS employees teach classes, lead hikes, facilitate traditional camp activities, assist with some daily operations and facility upkeep, as well as guiding student work-teams in some kitchen tasks, and advising chaperones.
• Classes of 32 students, are accompanied by their classroom teachers and some parent chaperones. Teachers and chaperones support kitchen, free time and bedtime needs.
• There is a day of preparation and a half-day of break-down for each school trip, with half-day and full-day chunks of time off between trips.
• Staff participate in program design.  

Qualifications 

• Individuals with proven interests in education, field biology and conservation, age 18+.
• Experience working with children ages 6-13 is ideal, and comfort working alongside adults is helpful.
• Must be physically able to lead hikes and a few sleep-outs. Wilderness First Aid and CPR are required.
• Lifeguard certification and/or experience with institutional kitchen operations are a plus. 

Compensation: Salary/Benefits: $250 / week - $300 / week depending on experience and certifications, including a paid staff training. Room and board included. Insurance is workmen's compensation. 

To Apply 

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email (or mail) a letter and resume to: 

Lavinia Schoene 
HC 83 Box 38DD
Capon Bridge, WV
26711