Outdoor Educator

Inspire. Educate. Equip.  
We remove barriers and create access to outdoor experiences. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

An Outdoor Educator is a part-time employee who will report to the Program Manager. They will lead or assist in all programming and activities for Venture Outdoors, ensuring successful, professional, and excellent experience for all youth participants. This staff member acts as a Venture Outdoors representative to promote the organization's mission. An Outdoor Educator leads on-site lessons and activities with groups, such as hiking, flat water paddling, biking, geocaching, STEM experiments, teambuilding activities, fishing, and more. 

Must be available at least 2 week days per week. Core working hours are Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Create and gather outing and lesson specific program materials when necessary;  

• Check in on campers, provide snack, communicate with parents when necessary; 

• Scout routes and camp areas prior to leading/assisting on trips; 

• Lead summer camp activities for youth aged 5-18; 

• Ensure participants’ safety, fun and complete satisfaction;  

• Lead group introductions and manage expectations before the outing;  

• Work with staff to develop and implement engaging new lesson plans for youth outdoor education; 

• Attend professional development trainings; 

• Manage participant behavior, implement a discipline and reward system; 

• Share educational concepts, including natural history, cultural, historical information, and environmental knowledge with participants on outings; 

• Monitor environmental conditions (high water, storms, lightning, heat, cold, etc.) before and during an outing;  

• Care for participants’ needs, handle emergencies and contingencies;  

• Ensure all relevant paperwork is completed and returned to the office in a timely manner including participant evaluations, risk waivers, final trip reports, etc.;  

• Be familiar with and follow all Venture Outdoors trip leader guidelines. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Experience working with youth, preferably in an informal education setting; 

• Desire to lead, motivate, and manage groups of varying ages, abilities, and backgrounds;   

• Demonstrated ability to manage logistics in an organized fashion;  

• Willingness to be flexible with work assignments and roles; 

• Knowledge of or interest in the skills and equipment for leading outdoor recreation activities;  

• Comfort speaking in front of a group; 

• Ability to work well independently and be a part of a team  

• Dedicated and committed to the mission of Venture Outdoors 

• Experience working with youth with disabilities is a plus 

REQUIREMENTS 

• At least 18 years of age;  

• A reliable form of transportation (car, bus, bike) to get you and the necessary equipment to the activity site for in-person trips and lessons;  

• PA Child Abuse background check, PA Criminal History background check, and FBI Fingerprinting (must be acquired prior to hiring; a finding on the criminal background clearances is not automatic disqualification, but rather a conversation starter); 

• Current CPR and First Aid certifications (can acquire upon hiring); 

• Mandated Reporter Training (can acquire upon hiring);  

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or religious/medical exemption 

• Once hired, an Outdoor Educator will attend Venture Outdoors’ Outdoor Leadership Training and any activity-specific training to accomplish the position, including biking, fishing and kayaking. 

BENEFITS 

• Paid sick time (1 hour for every 35 hours worked) 

• Eligible to enroll in the VO sponsored Simple IRA retirement plan 

• Paid professional development 

• Flexible work environment 

• Free kayaking! 

STAFF EQUITY STATEMENT 

We commit to the equitable treatment of our colleagues, participants, and community members by valuing their rights, dignity, voice, and expression.    

We welcome and respect the diversity of individuality such as race, sex, gender identity, ability, culture, and religion.     

We recognize the human right for all individuals to be respected and accepted without bias.  

We commit to an organizational responsibility to build individual and community respect, dignity, fairness, care, and equality.  

We strive to understand the role our system plays in perpetuating exclusion, and to address the dynamics that support it.  

We understand that accountability is mutual and reciprocal in order to continually learn and improve.   

We believe that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion extends beyond the workplace and encourage all to continue personal development alongside the organization.     

We require organizational staff and participants to encourage a culture of belonging and consider the entire experience and the ecosystem that supports.   

We will not tolerate explicit and implicit forms of racism, sexism, classism, xenophobia, ageism, and/or ableism.   

We will not accept the use of racial or gender biases and require staff to implement inclusionary practices within their duties and program design.  

Venture Outdoors is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.