Located in Olivebridge, NY on 385 acres of fields, forests, trails, and streams, the Ashokan Center has provided high quality, innovative outdoor/environmental education programs for K-12 school students and teachers for over 50 years. Ashokan is the home of the world renowned Ashokan Music & Dance programs and also hosts retreats, weddings, as well as a variety of public events, performances and lectures.

Outdoor Educators

The Ashokan Center seeks positive, communicative people who thrive in a collaborative work environment, have a love of the natural world, and are passionate about sharing it with children. Specialized knowledge and teaching experience in outdoor education, local ecology, NY State history, music and art are strongly desirable. Both full-time positions and on-call, part time positions are available. Full-time educators work Monday through Friday and occasional weekends. Housing is available for full-time educators, and occasionally for on-call educators who have a long commute. Shifts for full-time residential educators are variable and include a combination of morning, day, evening, and overnight throughout the week with an average of 40 hours per week throughout the season. Our programs run during the school year.

Part-time positions with flexible scheduling are available for candidates that are local!

Projected Dates of Employment:

Fall Season: August 31st - December 18th, 2026

Spring Season: January 25th - June 23rd, 2027 

Please Apply Here: Join our Team - The Ashokan Center

Position Requirements

• Teaching experience in educational/interpretive settings with elementary/middle school students
• A college degree in one of the following disciplines is preferred: adventure/outdoor education, environmental science, natural history, history, music, and art. A background in more than one area is a plus!
• First aid certification is preferred
• Flexibility - this is not a 9 to 5 position and days/evenings are variable, which can be a lot of fun and/or benecial for the right person, but we recognize this is not for everyone
• Full time educators must be able to work one overnight shift a week supervising students in the bunkhouse, there will be weeks where this is not required

Responsibilities

• Collaboratively leading large group activities and independently leading small group activities that inspire and promote teamwork, cooperation, and a love of nature
• Full-time educators will have varying shifts, including evening and overnight shifts (overnight supervision is offered to schools and full time educators typically stay in the bunks one night a week)
• Assist with program related preparation, maintenance, and cleaning
• Participation in ongoing professional development and program assessment
• Perform other tasks as determined by the education team
• Work larger public events on campus such as our Fall Fest, Maple Fest, Winter Hoot, etc.

Compensation

• Starting at $17 an hour first year with private room, free utilities, and Wi-Fi
• Off-site staff eligible for increased rate of pay starting at $19/hr. for the first year!
• Any hours over 40 for a single week are overtime hours paid at 1.5x the hourly rate

Benefits

• Meals provided on residential program days
• All staff training sessions including safety and emergency response are paid
• Access to Ashokan’s 385-acre preserve
• Free admission to all Ashokan festivals, concerts, and lectures
• Staff t-shirts and outer layer
• Professional Development opportunities as time allows and based on interest

If you like working with children and in the outdoors, or if you are exploring your passions in these areas, we encourage you to apply! Ashokan is a great place to gain experience and grow your skills!