Do you get excited when you spot slime mold growing in the forest? Is it your dream to work with a king snake? Are you a firm believer that kids are smart, creative people and you want to foster their development? If so, being a naturalist at Camp Ocean Pines on the California coast could be for you! 

We're looking for compassionate, thoughtful naturalists to join our 2027 winter/spring educator team.

Job Description

• Lead lessons such as target sports, marine ecology, team building, tide pooling, etc. weekly for groups of 10-18 students typically grades 3-8
• Work 2-3 evenings a week leading lessons like squid dissection, astronomy, and night adaptations
• Lead about 3 meals per week
• Help take care of our onsite animals, which may include raptors, rabbits, reptiles, and marine invertebrates
• Work and collaborate with fellow naturalists
• Assist with interdepartmental work as assigned
• Follow and uphold all policies and procedures of Camp
• Assess risk throughout student programming and perform CPR and/or basic First Aid when necessary
• Help maintain and clean department spaces and assist with supply inventory when necessary

When

• January 13 - May 28, 2027
• Applicants must be available to stay for the entire season

Pay & Housing

• Pay range is $19 - $21/hour
• Pay averages to about 30-40 hours of work per week. Some weeks are high volume with a lot of overtime and some are lower volume with fewer hours
• Onsite housing is provided
• Meals are provided when programming is in session, and food & kitchen access is available 24/7

Hiring Process

• We accept and evaluate applications on a rolling basis with the intent to be fully hired by December
• Positions go quickly since we’re a small team, so I highly recommend submitting an application early!

The successful candidates will likely have some, not all, of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in ecology, environmental science, education, or equivalent life experience
• Experience working at other outdoor/experiential education facilities
• Experience in trauma-informed, culturally-responsive teaching
• Knowledge of place-based education & restorative justice practices
• Fluency in Spanish 

The job description is an overview, not a comprehensive list. We are committed to supporting diverse staff with a multitude of life experiences, so if you feel passionate about the position and what we do here at Camp, we want to hear from you!

Questions? Email our Director of Year-Round Programming, Channing, at channing@campoceanpines.org