Laguna Canyon Foundation is hiring Field Instructors to support our outdoor education program!
Position Summary
The Field Instructors support the goals and objectives of Laguna Canyon Foundation by bringing awareness of and engagement with the open space. Throughout the school year, Laguna Canyon Foundation will host approximately 85 field trips, during which each field instructor will lead a grade-specific, educational hike for approximately 15 students and their teachers/chaperones.
During each grade-specific trip, students will enjoy an outdoor adventure that encourages a scientific mindset while connecting with nature through fun activities and exploration. Students will “think like a scientist,” and will leave with ideas and tools to explore and wonder about nature wherever and whenever they see a patch of green in their world.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead several educational hikes in the canyon each week during the school year.
- Adhere to written program guidelines (Next Generation Science Standards based) to teach children grade-specific curricula.
- Encourage engagement, observations and wonder with each student.
- Understand and carry out both oral and written instructions
- Performs other duties as assigned or requested.
Required Skills and Experience
- Commitment to the vision and mission of Laguna Canyon Foundation.
- Demonstrated experience working with children of a variety of ages in an outdoor environment showing patience and kindness.
- Ability to interact successfully with supervisors, teachers, and parents.
- Punctuality, flexibility and dependability.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Knowledgeable of local plant and animal life and ability to memorize and recall facts, figures and information.
- Ability to hike on trails, in a variety of weather; ability to lift up to 50 pounds
- CPR/First Aid certified or ability to become certified (LCF will pay for training course); ability to respond to immediate needs of students, participants and hikers. Fingerprinting for a background check will be required.
Desired Skills and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university with coursework in environmental studies, sustainability, science or related field preferred.
- Ability to speak Spanish preferred.
Schedule, Salary and Benefits
- Education programs run from September 2017 through June 2018. Although programs could be scheduled any weekday, programs will be mostly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from approximately 8:00am – 12:30pm.
- This is a part-time position and pays $14 per hour.
- Each Instructor will work (on average) two days per week during the school year. Instructors are able to choose their own workdays within the overall program schedule.
Physical Demands/Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment 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.
About Laguna Canyon Foundation
Laguna Canyon Foundation is a nonprofit established in 1989 that is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing the South Coast Wilderness, a 22,000-acre network of Open Space surrounding Laguna Beach in Orange County, California.
Originally founded to facilitate the transfer of land from private to public ownership so that its open space values could be protected in perpetuity, Laguna Canyon Foundation had evolved from a land acquisition organization to also engaging in education, public programming, assisting the Parks with trail maintenance, and conducting habitat restoration projects in and around the South Coast Wilderness.
To apply, send resume and cover letter to paula@lagunacanyon.org. Applications will be processed on a rolling basis.