Residential Environmental Educator (Seasonal)

Job Description

Seasonal Environmental Educator

Since its founding in 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit youth development organization, has provided free life-changing summer experiences in the outdoors to more than 1.8 million children from New York City’s underserved communities. Young people also participate in year-round leadership, career exploration and educational programs. For more information, visit

The Fresh Air Fund also owns and operates the Sharpe Reservation which houses five of the six Fresh Air Camps, the Sharpe Reservation Environmental Center which serves over 18,000 visitors each year. The Fresh Aid Fund also operates Camp Junior, a camp for young people from the Bronx in Harriman State Park.

Position Summary

The Fresh Air Fund is hiring a Seasonal Environmental Educator to help facilitate school and summer programs. The role requires the person to facilitate environmental education lessons, assist with logistics, and support all aspects of the running of the Sharpe Reservation Outdoor Education center. Additionally, the person in this position will support The Fresh Air Fund summer programs by working on the model farm, challenge courses, and supporting our teen backpacking program. The ideal candidate is curious, goal-oriented, and hard working with previous experience working with children or outdoors.

This is a seasonal position that is scheduled to begin in March 2024, and continue at least until November 2024. This position is based at the Sharpe Reservation with frequent travel to Harriman State Park. The role will report to the Assistant Director, Sharpe Reservation.

Responsibilities

Help in the logistical set up and break down for all groups before and after arrival.

This includes supplies and facilities.

Assist in on-site group facilitation:

Greetings.

Meal facilitation.

Evening programming.

Light maintenance.

Learning and facilitating outdoor education lessons.

Support the maintenance of all hiking trails.

Help plan, facilitate, and evaluate all challenge course programs.

Maintain program supplies.

Maintain accurate records of facilitation and teaching.

Daily logs to be kept online or in a written notebook.

Support Fresh Air summer programs.

Invest time with campers to meet their needs, challenge their capabilities, and serve as a role model during their time at camp.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Strong interest in environmental and adventure education.

Be interested in facilitating and teaching students in large and small groups.

Must be flexible and adjust to changes quickly.

Must have the ability to work independently and in a team environment.

Handle concerns/issues in a constructive manner.

The ability to learn and execute the lessons/activities in an expansive curriculum.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Have a current driver’s license. Personal vehicle preferred.

Employment period: Internship begins March 2024 and ends November 2024

Hours per week: Hours per week vary, maximum 40 hours per week.

Compensation: $600 per week