Job Description

All candidates must complete our application: to be considered for this position. January 26th for the priority deadline.

Whole Earth Nature School is seeking applicants who want to make a positive impact on local youth while gaining experience mentoring students outdoors. We employ staff in several positions and programs with options to work at day or overnight summer camps, after-school programs, and/or overnight Outdoor School programs in the Spring. All staff work as valued members of our community in service of youth and their families.

Whole Earth is an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome the unique contributions that you bring to Whole Earth including your culture, ethnicity, race, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran status, religion, ability, sexual orientation, and beliefs. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all students, volunteers, and employees. Visit our about and employment pages to learn more. Some ways we commit to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion include:

• normalizing pronoun use during meetings and programs
• providing needs-based scholarships to students
• offering affinity camps for girls, boys, and gender-diverse campers
• providing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion training to all staff
• decolonizing curriculum and incorporating land acknowledgments in programs
• amplifying Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) voices and perspectives
• using trauma-informed, culturally responsive student support strategies
• providing accommodations for students to participate in our programs and for staff to lead programs

POSITION DETAILS

Job Title: Lead Instructor, Coyote Outdoor School

Reports to: Coyote Outdoor School Director

Pay: Training hours will be paid at $15/hour. Your regular hourly rate will be $16-$18 an hour, based on experience.

Work Schedule : Lead Instructor is a seasonal, hourly, non-exempt position. Lead Instructors will begin part-time work as early as April 3 for onboarding and CPR/First Aid training, followed by required training April 6th–9th and April 22th–25th. Coyote Outdoor School is estimated to run April 23 – June 13th, 2026. Coyote Outdoor School program sessions are scheduled throughout late April through early June. Program lengths vary, including multiple 3-day/2-night programs. 

Lead Instructors may opt in to be considered for continued work through Whole Earth Summer Camps through August. Program schedules are subject to change with notice, including starting or ending a week earlier depending on school schedules.

Benefits:

• Paid leave : Sick leave accumulated at .033 hour for each hour worked.
• Stipends and discounts : Required training for the season provided at no cost, such as first aid/CPR. Discounts on outdoor gear through “pro-deal” programs.
• Meals: Meal service at overnight camps during the outdoor school season. 
• Overnight Lodging: Ability to stay overnight on program site in dormitory cabins, personal tent/hammock, camper van, Monday-Thursday during overnight programs (optional) 
• Mileage Reimbursement: Travel is eligible for reimbursement via business standard mileage rate per IRS requirements if it is 30 minutes or more from Eugene, OR. For overnight programs with provided accommodation, one round trip per week is eligible.
• Other : Access to environmental education library and Whole Earth skill shares 

Type of work required: Work will consist of moving around the program site outdoors, leading activities and supporting students; cleaning and maintaining the site (80%); participating in meetings, events, and trainings indoors, outdoors, or remotely (10%); communicating and collaborating with other staff in person or via electronic devices (7%); and reviewing information and resources on printed materials or electronic devices (3%). We will make reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants to perform job functions. 

Job location : Outdoor School programs are held in accordance to the following schedule: 

The program schedule is below:

• Training: April 6th-9th, 2026 in Eugene
• Program 1: 3-4 days on April 13th-16th, 2026 at Sky Camp in Fall Creek
• Classroom Instruction: April 20th-22nd, 2026 in Eugene
• Training: April 22nd-25th, 2026 in Eugene
• Program 2: 3-days/2-nights April 29th - May 1st, 2026 at Sky Camp in Fall Creek
• Program 3: 3-days/2-nights May 5th-7th, 2026 at Sky Camp in Fall Creek
• Program 4: 3-days/2-nights May 12th-14th, 2026 at Sky Camp in Fall Creek
• Program 5: 3-days/2-nights May 19th-21st, 2026 at Camp Baker in Florence 
• Program 6: 3-days/2-nights May 26th-May 28th, 2026 at Camp Baker in Florence 
• Program 7: 3-days/2-nights June 2st-4th, 2026 at Camp Baker in Florence 
• Wrap up: June 5th, 2026 in Eugene 

P rogram schedules are subject to change with notice, including beginning or ending a week earlier based on school schedules. 

Overnight programs are held at Camp Baker, located in Florence, OR, which is 1 hour and 20 minutes from Eugene. Staff are expected to work longer hours during overnight programs; however, programs are 3-days/2-nights in length. Day-only and hybrid programs are held at Sky Camp, located in Eugene, OR. Staff are to work 7-12 hour days. Employees can expect 35 hours per week, depending on the program. Employees are responsible for transporting themselves to and from the program site via person vehicle or carpool. Please view our Benefits section for information on mileage reimbursement. 

Other details:  

• Offer of employment is contingent on successful passing of an Oregon Department of Education background check, at no cost to the employee.
• Offer of employment is contingent upon submission of Proof of eligibility to work in the United States as dictated on the Federal I-9 form
• Employees must obtain or provide proof of a current First Aid+CPR certification for adults and children; provided by the employer at no cost to the employee. 

LEAD INSTRUCTOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead activities, teach curriculum, and manage groups of students with support from volunteers and program leaders. 
• Facilitate culturally-responsive lessons that encourage student voice and choice, curiosity, observation, cooperation, and nature connection.
• Use equitable approaches to engage all students in land-based learning, including youth who are: BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergent or English Language Learners; and/or who have behavioral needs.
• Encourage and support students to participate in discussions, activities, stories, games and/or songs.
• Treat participants with kindness and respect while consistently maintaining group agreements.
• Clean the site weekly, organize materials, and assist set up and break down of program spaces. 
• Use trauma-informed group management strategies to support student needs.
• Ensure safety of all participants at all times and maintain participant confidentiality. 
• Provide support to school teachers and chaperones to ensure all group needs are met.
• Communicate with program leaders about challenges during programs such as hazards or conflicts.
• Respect and preserve land and facilities for current and future users.
• Adhering to organizational, site, and camp policies at all times. 

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Interest in youth development and outdoor programming.
• Ability to deliver outdoor education lessons, games and activities, using resources and training.
• Ability and/or experience managing small and large groups, facilitating songs, activities, games, storytelling, wilderness skills, and more.
• Ability to compassionately lead diverse groups of fifth- and sixth-grade students outdoors, meeting students where they are at with sensitivity to students’ life experiences and needs.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all students, especially students who have been excluded in outdoor education like students with disabilities, BIPOC students, and LGBTQ+ youth.
• Commitment to creating a clean and safe learning environment including site cleaning duties and assessing risks.

OTHER DESIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS (NOT REQUIRED)

• Prior experience working with youth, particularly outdoors.
• Skills or knowledge in ecology, culture, conservation, wilderness skills (fire, journaling, navigation, shelter, archery), music, crafting, teambuilding, or storytelling
• Proficiency or fluency in Spanish.
• Experience or education in childhood development, particularly equity-centered and trauma-informed.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to and from the site, which may include carpooling with other instructors.

Hiring timeline: The priority deadline to apply is January 26th via our online application . After this deadline applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. The anticipated start date is April 3rd for onboarding. 

Other Details: Final candidates will need to complete a criminal history background check. Candidates with disqualifying criminal history will not receive a job offer. Employees must obtain or provide proof of First Aid+CPR certification for adults and children and complete a background check through the Oregon Department of Education, which can be provided by Whole Earth Nature School.

Contact us with questions about this position at outdoorschool@wholeearth.org  

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