Job Title: Apprentice Outdoor Educator

Supervisor Title: Program Manager

Location: Salisbury & Winston-Salem, NC (and surrounding counties)

Term of Position: Part time, seasonal position from August through May

Compensation Range: $115-$125 per day

About the Apprenticeship Program:

****As a pilot program, Muddy Sneakers (MS) will be beginning a one year apprenticeship program, with possible extensions into a second year. This pilot program will allow MS to hire and train a cohort of 4 apprentices who do not have any previous experience in the outdoor education industry or formal training in education. These positions will focus on training, mentorship and professional development opportunities in the outdoor education industry. We strive to create more equitable pathways for all individuals seeking a career in environmental education, shaping career opportunities to keep talent at home locally and introducing students to instructors who share their lived experiences.

About Muddy Sneakers: Muddy Sneakers operates at the crossroads of outdoor science instruction, public education, and conservation to awaken in children a deeply felt connection to the natural world – one that inspires curiosity, stimulates learning, and brings new life to classroom performance. We envision a world where every child has the opportunity to form a connection to nature and benefit from the wellness it provides. We are committed to becoming a national model for closing the science literacy gap, ensuring diversity thrives in the outdoors, and instilling an understanding of one's role in the greater ecosystem. In doing so, we cultivate healthier generations committed to the stewardship of our natural resources.

Muddy Sneakers shares place-based, experiential science learning and nature discovery with 5th grade students in our public schools. As part of a year-long school partnership, Field Instructor teams guide learning expeditions onto nearby, protected lands, with the goal of introducing students to the wonders of the natural world through teaching science hands-on, outdoors, in small-group settings. Muddy Sneakers supports inquiry-based learning throughout the school year through other partnership elements, including a nature-based science curriculum for the schoolyard and virtual sessions with instructors.

About the Position: Beginning in August of 2023, an Apprentice for MS will be a part-time 10 month position, with a minimum of 3 days/week of work with an opportunity for continued employment. The fall will focus on training, professional development and skill building. Apprentices will begin by focusing on in-house training with our core team and field experts while exploring pedagogy models, child development, and naturalizing. The cohort will shadow instructors in the field and other EE professionals to experience diverse education settings with peers. Apprentices will also be assigned a veteran instructor mentor with expectations of regular meetings, support, and focused shadowing time working up to solo teaching by Spring 24'.

You will be successful in this role if you…

• have prior experience and/or an interest in working with children
• have prior experience and/or an interest in science and nature topics
• enjoy being outdoors for extended periods of time
• have a desire to learn and grow as an environmental education professional
• are able to connect socially with students and adults
• are able to communicate effectively and respectfully with others
• are interested in building leadership skills
• prioritize safety and are willing to learn group management techniques
• are organized and able to respond in a timely manner to changes in logistics or information through phone call, email, or text message
• feel comfortable working both independently and as a team while also making difficult decisions in stressful situations
• are comfortable with or willing to learn Google Suites including Gmail, sheets and docs
• are able to observe professional codes of conduct and dress codes
• are able to commit at least 3 days per week (M-F) in the field or attending trainings, workshops or classes as scheduled
• have reliable transportation to and from program and/or carpool locations
• are interested in supporting a strong and inclusive professional ecosystem, including: investing in a collaborative staff community with healthy and responsive communication, furtherance of an equitable workplace, and commitment to a culture of mutual support and continued growth.

Physical Demands, Working Environment, and Working Conditions

• Environmental: Work is combined indoors and outdoor conditions including occasional mildly inclement weather in all seasons
• Physical Demands: Requires standing, walking, hiking, carrying, and sitting. Manual dexterity is required to use field equipment and teaching aids. Hiking occurs on varying terrain up to three (3) miles per day.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception vision and the ability to focus. Must be able to read and comprehend written documentation on paper and screen.
• Hearing and Speaking Requirements: Requires ability to hear, listen, comprehend, and communicate verbally.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently lift or carry up to 25 lbs, using a backpack to carry field gear.

Education Requirements

High School Diploma or GED

Term and Compensation

Term of Position

Apprentice positions are part time, seasonal positions with a weekly commitment of at least 3 days a week and up to 5 days a week (M-F). The work term would run August through May with an opportunity for future employment.

Compensation

Pay ranges from $115-$125 per day

Additional benefits

• 12 paid office holidays + one week paid between Christmas and New Years

• Supplemental pay for occasional longer days, mileage reimbursement and/or carpool options

Location

All programs will take place in the Piedmont region with a focus on Salisbury, Winston-Salem and the surrounding counties. Site and training locations vary and require that you have reliable transportation to the sites or the ability to meet at a centralized carpool location (generally around Salisbury or WS).

*If you believe you are a great fit for this position but transportation, compensation or scheduling is a barrier, please contact us to discuss potential options.

To apply:Please Click Here to Submit a Cover Letter and Resume through our Breezy Hiring Platform

The requirements listed in this job description are guidelines, not firm rules. If you have 75% of the qualifications listed we encourage you to apply. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.

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Hiring Timeline:

June 9: Priority deadline to apply (applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after this date)

June 26 - 30: Interviews

August 1: Preferred start date

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Hiring Statements

Muddy Sneakers is a NC-based 501(c)3 non-profit environmental education organization with programming offices in Brevard and Salisbury, North Carolina. We partner with public schools 'to awaken in children a deeply felt connection with the natural world -- one that inspires curiosity, stimulates learning, and brings new life to classroom performance.' The Core Values of Muddy Sneakers include: Access, Belonging, Experiential Learning, Conservation, and Well-Being.

We know that a rich diversity of perspectives and wisdom is imperative to our mission and can only come from a wide variety of life experiences. MS is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and responsive, enabling each of us to realize our potential. Our team is committed to a growth mindset and recognizes that healthy change requires intention, humility, and lifelong learning. MS' work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting and valuing the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, a nd all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

The requirements listed in our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, and if you have 75% of the qualifications listed we encourage you to apply. Your experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, which helps build the competencies, knowledge, and skills that translate directly to our openings. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

Muddy Sneakers: ** The Joy of Learning Outside**

P.O. Box 146

Brevard, NC 28712

828-862-5560

www.muddysneakers.org