Employment Opportunities
Field Science Educator
Summary
Our field science educators create and implement the programs that have made the Olympic Park Institute (OPI) one of the West Coast’s leading non-profit environmental education centers. For each program, the field science educator develops a set of activities and hikes based on the client’s needs and Yosemite National Institute's Core Educational Framework. Each field science educator works with 10-15 students for 1 - 5 day programs. Educators are expected to engage themselves physically, intellectually, and emotionally to design and implement individualized programs and to be part of a participative/collaborative learning community.
This position is based at Olympic Park Institute's campus near Port Angeles, Washington and reports to the education director. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Work seasons are:
- February - June
- June - August
- September - November
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and implement outdoor field science and environmental education curricula for youth and adults, including hikes, lab studies, backcountry experience and other educational activities
- Design and implement programming that is age- and ability-appropriate, value-fair, and incorporates Yosemite National Institute’s Core Educational Framework
- Manage risk in the field, including following OPI risk management protocols, developing systems for minimizing risk to participants during programs, and completing Accident/Incident reports in a thorough and timely manner
- Act in a responsible and respectful manner towards all OPI program participants, partner, staff, and the public
- Take part in staff meetings, educational meetings and trainings, as assigned
- Serve as emergency contact and perform emergency medical and disaster response, as needed
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from 4-year college or university and 1 - 2 years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Current Wilderness First Aid and Heartsaver CPR certifications and within one semester obtain a Wilderness First Responder Certificate
- Experience teaching in the outdoors and a working knowledge of the natural sciences, coastal ecology, and/or marine biology
- Ability to perform physically demanding work in the outdoors and under harsh weather conditions on uneven terrain
- Knowledge of backpacking practices and ability to lead students safely in wilderness or remote locations
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to implement and model excellent risk management practices and maintain a safe environment for our students and visitors
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings
Language skills
- Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos
- Ability to write simple correspondence
- Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization
- Spanish or Chinese language skills a plus
Physical demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to:
- Stand
- Walk up to 7 miles on uneven terrain
- Sit
- Use hands to finger, handles, or feel objects, tools, or controls
- Reach with hands and arms
- Climb or balance
- Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
- Talk or hear
- Taste or smell
- Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
The employee must be able to hike 10+ miles with a 45-pound backpack. Frequent use of scientific field equipment. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The employee may be required at short notice to respond to emergency situations that may involve extended periods in the poor weather conditions, carrying heavy weight over
uneven ground. The noise level in the work environment is moderate and is occasionally noisy from student voices or wind.
Application Process
Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at Yosemite National Institutes. Interested applicants should download:
- Application (Word document)
- Additional application materials (Read directions on application before filling out these additional materials.)
- Reference form (Word document)
Return these completed materials via mail, fax, or email to
Education Director
Olympic Park Institute
Fax (360) 928-3046
opi-fse-search@yni.org
