Forest Kindergarten Lead Instructor

Learning Outside

Join us in the woods!
Learning Outside is seeking a dynamic, creative, kind, and curious Forest Kindergarten Lead Instructor to join our collaborative team. This role is ideal for someone who thrives outdoors, enjoys working with young children, and feels inspired by nature-based learning.

Our educators spend their days exploring the forest and meadows, telling stories, singing songs, responding to children’s inherent curiosity, and supporting them as they develop meaningful relationships with the natural world and with one another. We are a creative, attentive, and collaborative team that values imagination, care, and connection.

This position involves supporting children, collaborating with colleagues, and bringing lots of love, curiosity, and playfulness to each day.

Position Details

Schedule:
Monday–Friday
8:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. (25 hours per week)

Additional monthly staff meetings required.

Responsibilities

The Lead Instructor will:

• Model and mentor young children in nature connection and outdoor exploration
• Ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of the group
• Lead and support developmentally appropriate nature-based activities
• Assist in setting up activities and maintaining supplies
• Communicate clearly and collaboratively with colleagues
• Support their co-teachers in program delivery
• Maintain awareness of group dynamics and developmental needs
• Conduct ongoing risk assessment in outdoor environments
• Uphold safety guidelines, Learning Outside’s protocols, and land-use regulations
• Communicate effectively and positively with:
  • Children
  • Co-teachers
  • Families
  • The greater community
• Support other programs as a substitute when able

Qualifications

Candidates must have:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience working with children ages 3 – 6
• Training or experience in early childhood development
• Ability to assess the developmental needs of young children
• Strong leadership and group management skills
• Ability to hold clear, respectful boundaries for children and adults
• Ability to implement emergency response plans
• Knowledge of local outdoor hazards and risk assessment
• Comfort working outdoors in all weather conditions
• Pediatric CPR & First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and a national sex-offender check
• Reliable transportation

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to:

• Lift up to 40 lbs
• Hike and navigate uneven terrain
• Sit comfortably on the ground
• Crouch, climb, dig, and move outdoors with children
• Work outside in all weather conditions

Personal Qualities

We are looking for someone who is:

• Kind, warm, nurturing, and observant
• Creative, playful, and imaginative
• Comfortable getting dirty and exploring nature
• Joyful about singing, storytelling, and creative play
• Curious and attentive to the natural world
• Dedicated to the wellbeing of children, families, plants, animals, and the larger community
• Interested in growing as a naturalist
• Open to mentorship and to growing their teaching practice

You should enjoy:

• Sitting on the ground
• Getting muddy
• Handling insects and small creatures
• Moving through varied terrain
• Singing with children
• Making things with your hands

Strongly Preferred Experience

The ideal candidate may also have experience with:

• Outdoor / Forest School nature-based education
• Knowledge of local flora and fauna
• Naturalist skills and nature connection mentoring
• Primitive or ancestral skills
• Storytelling
• Playing a musical instrument
• Hand tool use (knife, saw, rope, sewing needles)
• Fire tending and fire safety
• Tracking skills
• Understanding of bird language
• Knowledge of native plants

Compensation & Benefits

Lead Instructor Pay:
Competitive hourly rate DOE

Benefits include:

• Paid holidays
• Employee discount
• Opportunities to grow with our organization
• Opportunities for professional development in nature-based education

Our Ideal Teacher

Our ideal teacher is an experienced, warm, creative, and observant person who is excited to grow and learn alongside children and colleagues.

We are looking for educators who:

• Love to sing and tell stories
• Notice the small wonders in nature
• Are curious and aware of their surroundings
• Care deeply about the wellbeing of children, families, community, and the natural world