Employment Opportunities

Olympic Park Institute Field Science Educator

Summary

Our Field Science Educators create and implement the programs that have made the Olympic Park Institute (OPI) one of the West Coast’s leading non-profit environmental education centers. For each program, the Field Science Educator develops a set of activities and hikes based on the client’s needs and Yosemite National Institute's Core Educational Framework. Each Field Science Educator works with 10-15 students for 1-5 day programs. Educators are expected to engage themselves physically, intellectually, and emotionally to design and implement individualized programs and to be part of a participative/collaborative learning community.

This position is based at OPI's campus near Port Angeles, Washington and reports to the Education Coordinator. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Work seasons are:

February - June
June - August
September - November

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Develop and implement outdoor field science and environmental education curricula for youth and adults, including hikes, lab studies, backcountry experience and other educational activities
Design and implement programming that is age- and ability-appropriate, value-fair, and incorporates Yosemite National Institute’s Core Educational Framework
Manage risk in the field, including following OPI risk management protocols, developing systems for minimizing risk to participants during programs, and completing Accident/Incident reports in a thorough and timely manner
Act in a responsible and respectful manner towards all OPI program participants, partner,staff, and the public
Take part in staff meetings, educational meetings and trainings, as assigned
Serve as emergency contact and perform emergency medical and disaster response, as needed

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from 4-year college or university and 1 - 2 years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Current Wilderness First Aid and Heartsaver CPR certifications and within one semester obtain a Wilderness First Responder Certificate
Experience teaching in the outdoors and a working knowledge of the natural sciences, coastal ecology, and/or marine biology
Ability to perform physically demanding work in the outdoors and under harsh weather conditions on uneven terrain
Knowledge of backpacking practices and ability to lead students safely in wilderness or remote locations
Effective communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to implement and model excellent risk management practices and maintain a safe environment for our students and visitors
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings

Language skills

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos
Ability to write simple correspondence
Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization
Spanish or Chinese language skills a plus

Physical demands

The physical demands 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to:

Stand
Walk up to 7 miles on uneven terrain
Sit
Use hands to finger, handles, or feel objects, tools, or controls
Reach with hands and arms
Climb or balance
Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
Talk or hear
Taste or smell
Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

The employee must be able to hike 10+ miles with a 45-pound backpack. Frequent use of scientific field equipment. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The employee may be required at short notice to respond to emergency situations that may involve extended periods in the poor weather conditions, carrying heavy weight over
uneven ground. The noise level in the work environment is moderate and is occasionally noisy from student voices or wind.

Application Process

Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at Yosemite National Institutes. Interested applicants should download:

Application (Word document)
Additional application materials (Read directions on application before filling out these additional materials.)
Reference form (Word document)

Return these completed materials via mail, fax, or email to

Education Coordinator
Olympic Park Institute
111 Barnes Point Road
Port Angeles, WA 98363
Fax (360) 928-3046
opi-fse-search@yni.org

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