Virtual Lead Instructor

POSITION DETAILS Job Title: Lead Instructor, Coyote Outdoor School
Reports to: Coyote Outdoor School Director
Pay: Training hours will be paid at $15/hour. Your regular hourly rate will be $16-$18 an hour, based on experience.

Work Schedule : Lead Instructor is a seasonal, hourly, non-exempt position. Lead i nstructors will begin part-time work as early as April 3rd for onboarding and CPR/First Aid training, and participate in training and orientation April 8th-18th. Coyote Outdoor School is estimated to run April 23rd-June 12th with the position ending on June 13th, 2025. You may opt-in to be considered for continued work through Whole Earth Summer Camps through August. Program schedules are subject to change with notice, including beginning or ending a week earlier based on school schedules.

Required training for the season provided at no cost, such as first aid/CPR. Discounts on outdoor gear through “pro-deal” programs.
Meals: Meal service at overnight camps during the outdoor school season.
Overnight Lodging: Ability to stay overnight on program site in dormitory cabins, personal tent/hammock, camper van, Monday-Thursday during overnight programs (optional)
Mileage Reimbursement: Travel is eligible for reimbursement via business standard mileage rate per IRS requirements if it is 30 minutes or more from Eugene, OR. For overnight programs with provided accommodation, one round trip per week is eligible.
Other : Access to environmental education library and Whole Earth skill shares

Work will consist of moving around the program site outdoors, leading activities and supporting students; cleaning and maintaining the site (80%); participating in meetings, events, and trainings indoors, outdoors, or remotely (10%); and reviewing information and resources on printed materials or electronic devices (3%). Outdoor School programs are held in accordance to the following schedule:
Onboarding and CPR/First Aid training in Eugene, OR
Staff training at Mount Pisgah in Eugene, OR
Staff training at Mount Pisgah in Eugene, OR
Overnight staff training at Camp Baker in Florence, OR
Class visits at various schools in Eugene, OR
Overnight programs at Camp Baker in Florence, OR
Overnight programs at Camp Baker in Florence, OR
Class visits at various schools in Eugene, OR
Overnight programs at Camp Baker in Florence, OR
Class visits at various schools in Eugene, OR
Overnight programs at Camp Baker in Florence, OR
Overnight programs at Camp Baker in Florence, OR
P rogram schedules are subject to change with notice, including beginning or ending a week earlier based on school schedules.

Overnight programs are held at Camp Baker, located in Florence, OR, which is 1 hour and 20 minutes from Eugene. Staff are expected to work longer hours during overnight programs; however, programs are 4-days/3-nights or 3-days/2-nights in length. Employees are responsible for transporting themselves to and from the program site via person vehicle or carpool. Please view our Benefits section for information on mileage reimbursement.
Offer of employment is contingent on successful passing of an Oregon Department of Education background check, at no cost to the employee.
Employees must obtain or provide proof of a current First Aid+CPR certification for adults and children; Lead activities, teach curriculum, and manage groups of students with support from volunteers and program leaders.
Use equitable approaches to engage all students in land-based learning, including youth who are: BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergent or English Language Learners; Encourage and support students to participate in discussions, activities, stories, games and/or songs.
Clean the site weekly, organize materials, and assist set up and break down of program spaces.
Use trauma-informed group management strategies to support student needs.
Provide support to school teachers and chaperones to ensure all group needs are met.
Respect and preserve land and facilities for current and future users.
Adhering to organizational, site, and camp policies at all times.

Interest in youth development and outdoor programming.
Ability to deliver outdoor education lessons, games and activities, using resources and training.
Ability and/or experience managing small and large groups, facilitating songs, activities, games, storytelling, wilderness skills, and more.
Ability to compassionately lead diverse groups of fifth- and sixth-grade students outdoors, meeting students where they are at with sensitivity to students’ life experiences and needs.
Commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all students, especially students who have been excluded in outdoor education like students with disabilities, BIPOC students, and LGBTQ+ youth.
Commitment to creating a clean and safe learning environment including site cleaning duties and assessing risks.

Prior experience working with youth, particularly outdoors.
Skills or knowledge in ecology, culture, conservation, wilderness skills (fire, journaling, navigation, shelter, archery), music, crafting, teambuilding, or storytelling
Proficiency or fluency in Spanish.
Experience or education in childhood development, particularly equity-centered and trauma-informed.
Must have access to reliable transportation to and from the site, which may include carpooling with other instructors.

The priority deadline to apply is February 3rd via our online application . After this deadline applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Employees must obtain or provide proof of First Aid+CPR certification for adults and children and complete a background check through the Oregon Department of Education, which can be provided by Whole Earth Nature School.
Whole Earth Nature School is seeking applicants who want to make a positive impact on local youth while gaining experience mentoring students outdoors. We employ staff in several positions and programs with options to work at day or overnight summer camps, after-school programs, and/or overnight Outdoor School programs in the Spring. All staff work as valued members of our community in service of youth and their families.

We welcome the unique contributions that you bring to Whole Earth including your culture, ethnicity, race, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran status, religion, ability, sexual orientation, and beliefs. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all students, volunteers, and employees. Some ways we commit to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion include:

providing needs-based scholarships to students
offering affinity camps for girls, boys, and gender-diverse campers
providing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion training to all staff
amplifying Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) voices and perspectives
using trauma-informed, culturally responsive student support strategies