Outdoor Program Instructor

Outdoor School staff members will be a part of a collaborative educational team implementing an immersive overnight learning experience for 6th-grade students. High school students provide mentorship and community development and are empowered to become teachers themselves, teaching hands-on immersive science in the field. Outdoor School employees will work collaboratively and responsibly with their team and the Outdoor School leadership staff. Staff should be receptive to different outcomes, accept and incorporate feedback, and be positive team players through honest communication, altruism, and respectful actions. As an Outdoor School employee, you are expected to work the hours assigned, communicate and engage with your supervisor, and uphold the mission and values of the Outdoor School program.

At Outdoor School we believe that every individual is equal, valuable, and welcome. We work to acknowledge and celebrate our differences, whatever they may be. Inclusion means everyone and together we will strengthen our skills to work and live with others that are alike and different from ourselves. At Outdoor School we are building a community where everyone is honored for exactly who they are.  

Are you ready for the hardest job you’ll ever love? Join us in an inspiring role where you will lead, mentor, and create lasting memories with middle school students in the beautiful Oregon landscape. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact while working in a rewarding, outdoor setting that fosters growth, inquiry, and community.

How You Will Make an Impact:

Lead and Inspire: Support and guide teams of sixth-grade students and high school volunteers through engaging activities and science field studies, fostering a spirit of inquiry and positive social-emotional development. MESD Outdoor School is one of the largest Outdoor Schools in the state, serving about 7000 6th graders and 1000 high school students in Multnomah County.

Mentor and Role Model: Serve as a mentor and coach to high school leaders, encouraging students to thrive both academically and personally while building confidence and resilience. High School Student Leaders take on teh role of cabin leaders and teachers, as a staff member you support their successes and development. MESD Outdoor School is recognized as a leader in the state for their high school mentoring program. 

Collaborative Community: Work alongside a dedicated staff who share your passion for mentorship and education, living on-site and creating a close-knit community focused on shared goals

Celebrate Diversity: Actively contribute to our mission as an Anti-Racist organization, creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all participants.

Nature Engagement: Spend your days outdoors, interacting with the natural world, and facilitating students' connections to their environment and local ecosystems.

Skill Development: Gain invaluable skills in teaching, leadership, and mentorship, including conflict resolution and effective communication, while working with diverse groups of people.

Emotional and Physical Safety:  Collaborate with students to ensure their well-being and safety, fostering an environment where everyone feels secure and supported.

Cultural Respect: Honor and respect the Indigenous lands of the Chinook and Kalapuya nations, integrating their perspectives into your work.

Community Engagement: You will play a vital role in fostering a strong sense of community within the 6th-grade program. You will engage with various stakeholders, including engage with all level of the 6th grade community, families, principals teachers, counselors, cooks, and site managers. By actively engaging with all levels of the 6th-grade community, you will contribute to creating a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.

You Are Someone Who:

• Is passionate about youth mentorship and education, eager to support and empower students.

• Thrives in an outdoor environment, valuing hands-on learning and exploration.

• Communicates openly and honestly, valuing teamwork and collaboration.

• Demonstrates kindness and altruism in all interactions, building trust and rapport with students and peers.

• Is adaptable, ready to respond to the needs of students in various situations.

• Embraces diversity, recognizing the strengths that come from different backgrounds and experiences.

We have two positions we hire for, role, site placement is based on skills, strengths, interviews, team dynamics, and availability. 

Program Leaders: Support the social-emotional well-being of our 6th-grade students. This role involves facilitating conflict resolution, promoting social-emotional skill development, and providing mentorship and support to high school student teachers.

Field Instructors: Contribute to the implementation of a hands-on, student-centered 6th-grade science curriculum. This role involves training high school student teachers, supporting the delivery of ecology lessons rooted in place-based learning and social-emotional growth, and mentoring and providing feedback to high school volunteers on teaching techniques and behavior management.