Job Title: Forest School Guide/Assistant Teacher
Employment type: Part-time
Start Date: December 3, 2024
Reports to: Melissa Bennett, Watershed Farm & Forest School Director/Lead Teacher
Regular hours: Tu 9:30a-12:30p, Th 9:30a-12:30p, Additional hours may include Tu12:30-2:30, Th 12:30-2:30, and Fridays 9:30-12:30 (approx. 6-15 hours/week)
Location: The Watershed Farm, 401 Bandy Rd, Ringgold GA
Overview
Watershed Farm & Forest School is a leaner-led, emergent curriculum, outdoor enrichment program for children 4-12 Our immersive program offers students an engaging way to wonder, explore, and discover the natural world around them, and their place in it. It’s an ideal opportunity to support and enrich homeschool curriculum as we make both academic and social-emotional connections in all we do. We are secular and inclusive. We are certified by, and follow best practices of, the Association for Nature Based Education.
Values
- Empathy & Compassion
- Curiosity & Inquiry
- Holistic Approach
- Nature Immersion
- Diversity & Inclusion
Mission
To engage students of all backgrounds in a place-based & inquiry led approach which supports their holistic development & cultivates learners who are confident, creative, & independent thinkers.
Vision
To develop students who are confident in their unique skills, resilient in the face of challenge, care deeply for the world around them, & think critically & independently in order to solve problems in their communities.
Job Description
Assistant Guide/Teacher works closely with Lead Guide as well as students to facilitate outdoor classes with children. Tasks include thoughtful curriculum design based on children’s emergent interests, on-going reflection about and assessment of children and the forest school program, and collaboration with other teachers and/or volunteers. Daily site visits to ensure grounds are well maintained and remain safe. All staff, including guides set the tone for learning as engaged, enthusiastic role models of nature-based education while maintaining a safe, positive atmosphere.
This position requires a blend of qualifications that span knowledge of child development and early education, as well as nature-based pedagogy. We value candidates who possess passionate curiosity over deep knowledge. We are willing to contribute to a candidates knowledge through on-site training and covering costs of any required certifications. Candidates must have a long term commitment to helping young children develop their ecological identities through inquiry and play.
Position requires personal and programmatic reflection, collaboration with teachers and parents, open dialogue about children’s progress, and collaboration on community outreach. Position may also include creating content for marketing through a variety of platforms. Specific targets and goals for grant tracking and evaluation may also be required.
The ideal candidate will:
- Be passionate about educating children in nature.
- Be self-motivated and self-directed with the flexibility to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Have strong leadership abilities and excellent interpersonal skills, organizational, and time-management skills.
- Be a skilled communicator, guided by a desire to listen to and speak compassionately with both children and adults.
- Feel comfortable and confident about meeting the needs of children outdoors in all seasons.
- Feel comfortable and confident around a variety of both domestic and wild animals which will include; horses, sheep, pig, chickens, cat, birds, insects, spiders, snakes, and many others
Primary Job Responsibilities:
- Responsible for helping Lead Guide in planning and facilitating immersive outdoor experiences for young children. This includes maintaining a safe, loving environment with safety routines that protect yet empower children.
- Nurture individualized needs of children while managing whole group experiences and unstructured play in the forest.
- Daily set-up/break-down of forest school areas (fire ring, loose parts play, mud kitchen, art space, sandbox, etc.)
- Utilize an emergent curriculum plan, record and track children’s emerging and seasonal interests.
- Participate in various community-building initiatives with staff and local partners, which may occur outside of posted hours and will be compensated at current pay rate.
- Manage materials and equipment; request/order new materials as needed.
- Participate in authentic child assessment, self-evaluation, and program evaluation.
- Other duties that support families, children, and staff will also be assigned as needed.
Collaborative duties with fellow staff:
- Document learning processes in many formats for children’s portfolios (written documentation, photos, content for blog/FB posts, Instagram, private (student and families only) band app group website, etc.).
- Provide positive guidance to children in navigating their social interactions with peers and adults.
- Maintain friendly yet professional interpersonal communication skills with children, families, fellow staff and volunteers.
- Participate in staff meetings and on-going professional development.
- Implement community events (IE. Open Houses) for prospective families and stakeholders.
Essential Experience & Education
- Demonstrate interests and passions for nature-based early childhood education, environmental studies, outdoor education, natural history, biology, elementary education, or closely related field through any previous activity (prior jobs, volunteering, education, community involvement, personal projects or accomplishments)
- Possess the following credentials, certifications, or licenses: Current first aid and CPR credentials (Wilderness First Responder preferred) or be willing to receive these certifications promptly
- Must pass background check, and child abuse clearances, before starting employment
- Experience working with young children as appropriate for the classes you will teach
- Physically able to hike, carry gear, and carry a small child if needed (up to 50 lbs)
Preferred but Not Required Experience & Education
- Naturalist background with knowledge of local ecology, flora, and fauna; Master Gardener or Master Naturalist certification (not required but preferred)
- Previous experience leading outdoor education programs, with emphasis on coyote mentoring, directional teaching, flow learning, and emergent outdoor learning approaches
Most Desirable Qualities
- Love of children
- Love of nature
- A strong work ethic with a track record of being reliable, honest, and kind
- Ability to laugh, remain calm, and persevere when faced with challenges
- Willingness to share ideas, alternative perspectives, and contribute creatively to the program
- Patient, positive disposition
- Eager to grow and learn with others
Additional Skills & Training
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in Google office products including Drive, Calendar, Forms, Sheets
- Proficient use of social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and band
- Excited to lead outdoor programs in all kinds of weather
- Flexible mindset and positive attitude
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
Salary: This is a part-time, hourly position with pay range between $12 -18/hour based on applicant experience and skill level
How to Apply: This job description offers guidelines for the position, not hard and fast rules. If you meet some but not all of the qualifications listed, but have a passion for this work, we encourage you to apply! We value passion, curiosity, and creativity and are willing to provide any unmet training and certification for our ideal candidate. Send your resume and three references to Melissa Bennett at StayCurious@TheWatershedFarm.com.
Equal Opportunity Statement We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender or transsexual individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Persons from Indigenous, Latinx, African-American and other diverse racial or cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability and require accommodation or assistance with our online application process, please contact us so we can help
