We’re Hiring – Field Instructors

Do you love to hike in the local wilderness parks? Do you have a passion for educating and inspiring others? Great news: Laguna Canyon Foundation is hiring Field Instructors to support our outdoor education program!

Our education team hosts local Title I elementary schools for environmental science-based outdoor field trips at no cost to the students or the schools. Each year our program hosts approximately 3,500 students second through fifth grade on the South Coast Wilderness trails.  

Please check out our education blog to “experience” a morning on the trails with these amazing students and field educators.

Please email your resume to cameron@lagunacanyon.org.

Job Description
Laguna Canyon Foundation’s Field Instructors support the goals and objectives of the organization by bringing awareness of and engagement with the open space to local Title I elementary school students. Throughout the school year, Laguna Canyon Foundation will host approximately 75 field trips, during which each field instructor will lead a grade-specific educational hike for approximately 15 students and their teachers and 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.

Qualifications
A. Commitment to the vision and mission of Laguna Canyon Foundation.
B. Demonstrated experience working with children of a variety of ages in an outdoor environment showing patience and kindness.
C. Knowledge of local plant and animal life and ability to memorize and recall facts, figures and information. LCF will provide training and materials prior to the school year.
D. Ability to interact successfully with supervisors, teachers, and parents.
E. Punctuality, flexibility and dependability.
F. Strong oral and written communication skills.
G. Ability to hike up to 3-4 miles on rough terrain, in a variety of weather.
H. CPR/First Aid certified; ability to respond to immediate needs of students, participants and hikers. Fingerprinting for a background check will be required. LCF-paid CPR/First Aid training available.
I. Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university with course work in environmental studies, sustainability, science or related field preferred.
J. Ability to speak Spanish preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities
A. Commit to two of our three (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) mornings to lead educational hikes in the canyon each week during the school year.

B. Adhere to written program guidelines (NGSS based) to teach children grade-specific curricula.
C. Encourage engagement, observations and wonder with each student.
D. Understand and carry out both oral and written instructions.
E. Perform other teaching duties as assigned or requested.

Compensation
• Education programs run from September 2019 to June 2020. Programs will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm.
• This is a part-time position and pays $15 per hour.
• Each Instructor will work (on average) two days per week during the school year.

About Laguna Canyon Foundation
Laguna Canyon Foundation is a nonprofit established in 1990 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 has evolved from a land acquisition organization to also engaging in education, public programming, assisting Orange County Parks with trail maintenance, and conducting habitat restoration projects in and around the South Coast Wilderness.