Position:  Environmental Educator (Temporary)
Location:  San Francisco
Job Id:  1293
# of Openings:  3
Environmental Educator (Temporary)
 
Organization Description:   

Since 1981, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Parks Conservancy) has served as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, collaborating with the Presidio Trust, partners, donors, and the community to support the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The GGNRA stretches across three Bay Area counties north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge and includes iconic places such as Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, Mori Point, Lands End, and the Presidio of San Francisco.      

The Parks Conservancy engages at the intersection of national park sites, local communities, social justice, and climate resilience. Collaborating with partners, our staff are dedicated to enhancing public awareness and providing volunteer and educational opportunities in the parks. We are park builders, caretakers, ambassadors and educators, all working to connect people to parks in support of our vision Parks for All Forever. Join us.
   
Department Description:   
 
Conservancy Youth Programs encourage new generations to become bold leaders for thriving parks, healthy communities, and a more environmentally just society. We prioritize individuals, groups, and communities that national parks and conservation organizations have failed to previously engage. Our programs focus on learning about social and environmental issues and building leadership skills that can contribute to positive change. Our department is located at the Crissy Field Center in the Presidio, San Francisco.  

Position Overview:  

The term for this position is June 2nd – August 8th, 2025. There are a total of three openings for this position. 

The Environmental Educator is responsible for supporting the facilitation of the Conservancy’s youth programs. These programs engage local youth through park- and community-based learning, leadership development, and workforce development. Under supervision of the Conservancy’s Youth Programs Managers and Directors, the Environmental Educator facilitates activities centering around environmental science, environmental justice, service learning, outdoor experiences, visual art, wellness, and leadership development. Programs take place at the Crissy Field Center, in parks, at schools, and in the communities of the youth we serve. 

During the summer (June-August), the Environmental Educator will support one of the following Youth Leadership programs: 
  • Urban Trailblazers (UTB) Middle School Program (1 opening). UTB is a 6-week program for middle school aged youth that focuses on leadership development, community building, outdoor experiences, service learning, and project-based learning 
  • Linking Individuals to their Natural Communities (LINC) High School Program (2 openings). LINC is a 6-week program for high school aged youth that focuses on leadership development, community building, outdoor experiences, service learning, and project-based learning.  
Both UTB and LINC include outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, kayaking, and mountain biking. UTB includes more youth-driven project-based learning in topics such as digital media, outdoor leadership, and art. LINC includes more hands-on service projects such as trail work and habitat restoration. 

The Environmental Educator with UTB will lead a team of 11 middle school youth, with the support of 2 high school aged interns. This position will have more responsibility for independent group management than the LINC position. 

Environmental Educators with LINC will co-lead a team of 12 high school youth with either a program manager or coordinator. This position will have less responsibility for independent group management than the UTB position but will typically be in more remote settings with elevated risk management considerations. 

In your application, please indicate if preference for either UTB or LINC, or if you have no preference. During the summer, the Environmental Educator typically works a Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm schedule. There is the possibility of having daily schedules shifted to accommodate programming needs. The Environmental Educator is expected to support with the facilitation of 3 or more overnight camping trips each year.  

The Environmental Educator works primarily in-person and is based at the Crissy Field Center in the Presidio. Any work from home or other remote work will be limited and will require supervisor approval. 

For June 2nd – August 8th, the Youth Programs Department is prioritizing candidates who with the following competencies: Can make connections between environmental and social issues, ability to work in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments, and ability to facilitate and lead recreational activities in Spanish. Not having these skills will not disqualify applicants from consideration. 

Reports To: The Environmental Educator reports to one of the Youth Programs Managers. 

Key Responsibilities: 

This is an education and youth development position that includes the instruction and mentorship of youth and program support to the multiple youth-serving programs. 

Program Development and Delivery 
  • Leads youth participants in outdoor activities such as hiking, , camping, team-building activities, service learning, and environmental education lessons. 
  • Delivers project-based learning curriculum for youth. 
  • Facilitates in-classroom activities and presentations.  
  • If applicable, delivers programs in languages other than English. 
  • Assists with lesson planning. 
  • Facilitates overnight camping trips with youth. Assists with program planning for overnight programs. 
  • Creates a physically and emotionally safe space for youth to engage in the outdoors  
  • Prepares materials for activities. Cleans up after activities. 
  • Drives work vehicles and is responsible for passenger safety and supervision during transport.
Youth Mentorship and Supervision
  • Supports program managers in developing short-term and long-term goals for youth. Supports youth in developing and completing work plans.
  • Models healthy and supportive behavior for youth participants.
  • Facilitate lessons that support leadership and professional career skills for youth participants. 
  • With guidance from program managers, provides positive and constructive feedback to youth.
Collaboration and Coordination 
  • Supports program managers in planning and scheduling with program partners. 
  • Supports program managers in youth participant outreach. 
  • Supports with program documentation, evaluation, and reporting. 
  • Supports with program administration and logistics, including using online systems such as Microsoft Office and Google Drive. 
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 
  • Commitment to education, youth development, and social justice: Awareness of environmental justice issues. Can make connections between environmental and social issues. Supports youth-led advocacy. 
  • Interest in working with communities historically excluded from environmental experiences and careers in the Bay Area, including low income and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities. 
  • Ability to connect with diverse groups of youth, especially middle school and high school aged youth. Interest and ability to make curriculum relevant to youth audiences.  
  • Teamwork: Ability to support team and program goals, balance team and individual responsibilities. Ability to collaborate and co-lead programs. Receives direction and feedback in a constructive manner. 
  • Good Judgment: Ability to analyze calculated risks while prioritizing the safety of both staff and youth. Includes appropriate staff and/or community members in the decision-making process. 
  • Flexibility: Ability to adjust priorities as the team’s needs change. Ability to work in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments as well as with a variety of age groups. Ability to adapt to a flexible work schedule that does include some evening, weekend, and overnight work. Ability to adapt programs on the spot based on youth needs.  
  • Leadership: exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well.  
  • Bilingual (if applicable): Ability to facilitate programming in Spanish. Ability to translate existing program materials. Ability to communicate program details with youth’s families in Spanish. 
Education and/or Experience: 
  •  High School Diploma or equivalent. 
  • One or more school years working with elementary, middle school, or high school students. 
  • Experience working with diverse groups of youth. This includes multiple dimensions of diversity such as race/ethnicity, income, language, physical ability, sexuality, gender identity, and neurodiversity.  
  • Experience, strong interest, or education in environmental education, child development, recreation, or other related fields. 
  • Experience (personal or professional) facilitating groups. 
  • Experience (personal or professional) in remote outdoor settings. 
Certifications or Licenses: 
  •  Valid Driver’s License preferred. Employees must have a clean driving record.  
  • CPR and First Aid certification - will assist upon hire. 
  • Because this position works closely with youth, we require Live Scan fingerprint clearance in addition to the standard pre-employment background check. 
Health and Safety: 

It is the goal of the Parks Conservancy to create and maintain a safe and healthy workplace. We work to mitigate hazards and risks that may cause harm to employees, consistent with state and federal laws. Employees play an active role in creating a safe and healthy workplace and are expected to comply with all applicable health and safety rules.     

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: 
  •  Work is primarily in-person and is based at the Crissy Field Center in the Presidio. Any remote work is planned with other department staff and requires supervisor approval.  
  • Work is performed in multiple settings, including at a desk in an office, in front of a computer, in indoor teaching spaces such as classrooms, and in outdoor settings such as parks.  
  • Ability to hike 5 miles on uneven terrain.  
  • Work is often performed standing or walking with a backpack.  
  • Frequently lifts, carries, and positions objects weighing up to 25 pounds. 
  • Occasionally sits at a computer station for up to 3-4 hours. 
  • Regularly drives youth and staff in work vehicles. 
Compensation: This is an unbenefited, Temporary Seasonal position working an average of 40 hours per week. Overtime is paid for any hours exceeding 8 hours in one day. The pay rate is $24/hour (Pay Grade 8). 
 
To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume with your application. 
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Application review will begin by mid-March 2025. Interviews are projected to take place in April 2025. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. 

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Recruitment, placement, and promotions are conducted without regard to an individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical handicap, veteran status or sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by Federal, State, and local laws & ordinances. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. 

 
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