Permanent Substitute Educator: Yosemite National Park

About the role

NatureBridge provides overnight environmental science education experiences for more than 30,000 students and their teachers every year in National Parks. The mission is to connect young people to the science and wonder of the natural world, igniting self-discovery and inspiring stewardship of the planet. Through programs, students explore outdoors, connect with peers, discover themselves, and develop a lasting relationship with science and the environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-day, student-centered, experiential environmental science programs in outdoor settings.
• Facilitate inclusive, culturally relevant instruction that incorporates multiple perspectives and connects learning to students’ lives and communities.
• Engage students in scientific practices through hands‑on investigations, tailoring programming to each school group’s needs, teacher‑defined outcomes, and the NatureBridge Theory of Change.
• Follow risk management policies, use sound judgment to manage risk and students’ physical and emotional well‑being.
• Administer and document first aid as necessary.
• Foster a supportive, respectful learning environment and model responsible environmental behavior.
• Design and lead evening programs or assist guest presenters/partners, typically twice weekly after field days.
• Serve as an educator on standby when scheduled; assess and document student learning; contribute to program reflection, evaluation and improvement.
• Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, program debriefs, and complete required paperwork timely.
• Maintain gear and contribute to campus stewardship.
• Contribute to fundraising efforts by sharing field stories.
• For staff in NatureBridge Housing: follow housing policies and co‑created community agreements; build respectful relationships; support campus operations and organizational goals through additional duties as assigned (event support, special projects, community stewardship).

Requirements

At least 1 year of relevant formal or informal teaching experience.

Qualifications

• Social and emotional skills to build rapport with people of all backgrounds, abilities, cultures, orientations, identities.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion in teaching and workplace.
• Lived experience or extensive work with communities impacted by historic and current oppression limiting access to environmental education or outdoors.
• Clear communication with students, coworkers, supervisors, educational partners.
• Desire to learn and grow, openness to feedback and coaching.
• Capacity to pivot quickly and manage logistical changes with composure.
• Valid Wilderness First Responder certification or willingness to attain it prior to start (tuition aid available).
• Ability and willingness to perform physically challenging work outdoors in all weather on uneven terrain; able to hike 5‑7 miles on uneven terrain.
• Ability to work flexible hours and split shifts, including evenings.

Pay

$20.49 per hour; daily and weekly work hours vary based on programming demand.

Benefits

• Option for a 403b retirement plan with employer match after 1000 hours of work.
• Paid training days.
• All staff accrue paid sick leave.

Schedule

Environmental Science Educator schedule varies week‑to‑week; educators deliver programs from 9 am‑4 pm for 3‑5 day programs, with up to 30 minutes of paid preparation time per regular program day. Substitutes work as needed, often during the busiest seasons (September‑October and April‑May), and are asked to commit to teach for a few weeks a year.