Description of Program:
Ecology Project International is offering positions as a Field Instructor at various locations for the 2019 field season. Our programs are experiential, involving inquiry-based field science through curricula and hands-on participation in conservation and research projects. Programs are offered in a variety of outdoor settings (marine coastal, tropical rainforest, mountain, tropical islands, etc.), are typically 4 to 12 days in length, and are delivered to teens and university groups of local or visiting (mostly U.S.) participants.
Job Summary:
An ideal candidate will demonstrate experience and aptitude in environmental education as well as the ecosystems, geographies, and cultures of the program they are applying to work in. Instructors work as a team with support from program staff to plan, lead, and teach EPI’s curriculum. Instructors coordinate logistics and opportunities with partners, vendors, group chaperones, and participants to craft an inspirational and educational experience. They are responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe physical and emotional learning environment.
Responsibilities:
All EPI instructors are expected to:
- Provide and lead a positive experience for EPI participants in the field.
- Promote and ensure a safe learning/living environment.
- Conduct all courses with rigorous attention to risk management.
- Plan, lead, and deliver quality experiential science/conservation education programs to a diverse group of high school students in a manner that blends both EPI’s and the group’s expectations.
- Establish and maintain clear communication with teachers, chaperones, participants, co-instructor(s), and EPI office staff.
- Effectively manage logistical challenges and emergencies on course.
- Respond to medical emergencies and provide appropriate first aid following EPI’s medical protocols and according to your level of training.
- Be sensitive to the health and welfare of all participants and meet their developmental needs.
- Show and maintain a positive attitude.
- Understand, model, monitor, and enforce EPI policies and protocols.
- Oversee and/or lead research activities in accordance with local research protocols.
- Lead conservation service projects in accordance with risk management protocols.
- Keep course equipment clean, organized, and in good working order and communicate equipment needs to supervisor.
- Participate in all EPI staff development sessions throughout the season, including staff trainings, staff meetings, staff retreats. Instructors are required to participate in all staff training and the evaluation/feedback process.
- Complete pre-arrival online training modules in risk management, EPI’s educational framework, and local ecosystem and research background.
- Mentor EPI interns to develop their skills and achieve outlined expectations.
- Promptly complete and file paperwork associated with each course.
- Participate in EPI’s efforts to share the impacts of our activities on participants and conservation. This includes helping to photo-document the experiences of EPI participants and completing two Student Impact Stories documenting local student experiences each season.
- Appropriately deliver growth-oriented feedback and coaching to co-instructors to improve performance, resolve differences, and maintain an open, communicative working relationship.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Additional responsibilities depending on program location may include:
- Drive EPI vehicles, including hauling a trailer to transport participants and equipment. (Hawaii program)
- Assist field interns with food purchasing and meal preparation management. (Hawaii program)
- Set-up and break-down of tents. kitchens, and other camp infrastructure.
- Supporting programs with data entry, student management and teaching in urban activities including festivals, symposiums or other events, local student recruitment, and other non-course related tasks.
General Instructor Qualifications:
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in education, biology, ecology, natural sciences, or related field.
- More than 1-year teaching environmental education or leading groups of youth in the outdoors.
- Experience leading trips and camping in remote areas, and the ability to teach associated skills.
- Field research experience.
- Experience living or working in program location or similar environment.
- Physical and mental condition to lead courses 24 hrs. each day for up to 18 days with a co-instructor in inclement weather, engaged in a variety of activities that require strength, agility, and endurance.
- Current Wilderness First Aid Training and CPR certification (WAFA or WFR preferred); individuals not certified at the time of application must be willing to complete this certification before staff training.
- Able to pass a criminal background check.
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
Preferred
- Leave No Trace trainer or master educator certification.
- Experience with inquiry-based learning programs.
- Knowledge and familiarity with ecosystems for each program.
- Willing to work hard and actively participate as a member of a small team of instructors.
Hawaii Island Ecology Program - March to July 2019
Program emphasis is watershed ecology, sustainable living, and conservation within a cultural context. Groups will participate in land and water-based conservation efforts in support of state and federal endangered species recovery efforts. Students will collect data on invasive plant species and conduct marine-life snorkel transects to collect data for on-going reef monitoring projects that support community-based conservation initiatives. Students will also be immersed in local Hawaiian culture and participate in ecological restoration activities to learn unique perspectives and tools for addressing sustainability challenges.
Required
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Knowledge and familiarity with marine ecosystems, tropical island ecology & geology.
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Experience supervising open-water activities such as snorkeling.
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Experience leading groups hiking in a wilderness setting.
Preferred
