Field Educator

This field educator position at Cottonwood Gulch works with a small staff team to implement outdoor educational programs and the mission of Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions (CGE). Our mission is to provide outdoor learning adventures to youth of all backgrounds that foster personal growth, strengthen community, and inspire stewardship of the natural world. We have been leading outdoor expeditions since 1926, and currently work with hundreds of students (or “trekkers,” as we call them) each year. Using the outdoors as our classroom to explore science, culture, history, art, and adventure in New Mexico and surrounding states, we aim to inspire personal growth and build strong community. During the school year, we partner with more than 30 schools and nonprofits, primarily serving New Mexico students in grades 1-12 on trips ranging from one day to two weeks. These treks vary between classroom visits, day trips, overnight multiple day road-loops or Basecamp stays, and backcountry experiences. During the summer, we run multi-week expeditions for 8-18 year olds. This totals about 10,000 field days each year, a thriving Gulch Community, and hundreds of lives impacted for the better.

Job Objective: Our Seasonal Field Educators collaborate to implement educational curriculum tailored to the specific destinations of the expedition and interests of the partners as groups travel around the Southwest and to our Basecamp in Thoreau, NM. We are looking for outdoor adventurers, scientists, artists, culturalists, cooks and others who are excited to share their knowledge and inspire young people to connect with the outdoors. In addition, Field Educators manage the packing and organization of gear for their designated expeditions. Seasonal Field Educators with a background or interest in cooking will manage meals and nutrition for trekkers, staff, and partners while on trek.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities specific to this role:

• Use your unique set of skills and knowledge in outdoor adventure, science, art, culture, food or another field related to our mission to inspire trekkers in their personal growth and group development

• Utilize CGE educational resources, training, and previous experience to prepare place-based programming to educate, impart new ideas, and inspire trekkers to learn about the specific areas where the group is traveling

• Plan for and execute activities, games, reflections, and debriefs during down times and campfires; plan itinerary-specific activities in collaboration with staff team

• Utilize systems for storing, packing, issuing, managing and repairing group gear and personal gear

• Teach trekkers outdoorskills such as campsite selection and setup, navigation, firebuilding, safety, etc.

• Plan, prepare or assist with cooking meals for large group sizes both assisting in a commercial kitchen at our Basecamp and on the road with a road kitchen setup

• Work with staff team to manage risk in the field

• Support and lead experiential, place-based activities when at Basecamp

Responsibilities of all Gulch staff:

• Plan and execute effective outdoor programming in the field and at CGE’s base camp. Actively seek out and participate in opportunistic learning opportunities

• Provide leadership and support outdoor education expeditions across the American Southwest, including in front country and backcountry settings (depending on the group), and at CGE’s Basecamp

• Manager is in line with CGE’s practices and policies; provide medical care within trained scope of practice

• Teach LNT principles and environmental ethics to groups of youth

• Drive large vehicles (pickup trucks,15-passenger vans) on a variety of roads

• Attend, support, and assist with meals, nightly campfires, games, teambuilding, and staff meetings

• Participate in the maintenance and repair of our gear fleet

• Collaborate with peers to create a positive environment conducive to learning, growth, and fun

• Maintain professional relationships with CGE partners, community members, and land managers

Qualifications:

• Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by the position start date and possess a valid driver’s license. Must have a clean driving history and be able to meet the criteria for CGE vehicle insurance coverage

• Experience as an educator, leader, risk manager, group cook, artist, scientist, and/or adventurer

• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or First Aid, or ability to acquire within 30 days of hire; WFR/WEMT preferred

• Strong organizational skills

• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a wide range of audiences (fellow staff, community members, students, etc.)

• We believe outdoor education takes many different forms; your unique skills and experiences will be considered and valued!

Starting Date: Staff may work multiple seasons. Contract dates by season are as follows: March 3rd to May 30th for Spring 2025 season; June 1st to August 10th for summer 2025 (view summer position Descriptions here;) August 18th-November 1st for fall season, with the possibility of additional work in the winter and beyond. Preference will be given to staff able to work multiple seasons.

Work Location and Schedule: Albuquerque, NM with travel throughout the state, including periods of time camping in frontcountry and backcountry settings. Each expedition has a different schedule. Some groups will be camping for several days at a time, while others are out for only a day. Staff working only spring and fall have approximately one-third of their days off each month, although schedules can vary. Staff who work multiple seasons get a paid week off between seasons (Spring-Summer and Summer-Fall). Summer staff receive one day off per 6 days of work.

Background Check: CGE requires criminal background checks and driving record check from all employees. Physical Requirements: Ability to hike up to 10 miles a day on uneven surfaces and carry a pack up to 50 pounds, sleep in a tent or open-air cabin accessed by stairs, work at a desk, talk on the phone, and use a computer.

Compensation: Salary ranges from $1,750 to $2,500/month with depending upon years of experience, seasons contracted, and applicable credentials; housing and on-site laundry, provided for the duration of contract in Albuquerque (bunkhouse/hostel-style accommodations with free wifi) and/or Thoreau (open-air cabins and free board, with access to wifi on basecamp). $250 travel stipend available if traveling more than 500 miles. Possible opportunities for further outdoor education certifications. Various Pro Deals available to all staff.

Inclusive and Welcoming Environment

CGE is an equal opportunity employer and does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, spousal affiliation, mental or physical handicap, serious medical condition, or military status in any of its activities or operations. Moreover, Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions believes in the learning, growth and healing that can take place outdoors. We also recognize that access to programs like ours—along with access to any green space, clean air and water, and healthy food—continues to be a privilege rather than a right. CGE recognizes that in outdoor spaces, the voices and work of people of color, people from working class backgrounds, Indigenous people, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals have been often overlooked and marginalized. Therefore, we encourage applications from people in these groups, and all people, regardless of background.