JOB TITLE: OUTDOOR EDUCATION SPECIALIST- Waskowitz Outdoor Education Center

GROUP: Teamsters IV LEVEL: 07 FLSA STATUS: Nonexempt
WORK DAYS PER FISCAL YEAR: 181 HOLIDAYS: 11

SUMMARY: The Outdoor Education Specialist is a key member of the Waskowitz education team, providing mentorship, supervision, and coordination for a variety of overnight and day programs. This position supports and leads programs including Outdoor School, Living History, Middle School Programming, and rental group programming. The Outdoor Education Specialist also provides non-evaluative supervision and coaching to the Outdoor Educator team, supports professional development, and helps uphold a positive, inclusive, and studentcentered staff culture.
The Outdoor Education Specialist is the primary coordinator of the High School Leader Program, including recruitment, training, placement, and weekly development for high school students serving in leadership roles. The Specialist designs and facilitates curriculum, mentors student leaders and trains staff to work effectively with youth in leadership roles. This position works closely with the Program Manager to ensure the success of all Waskowitz programs.

The hours of this position vary by program and may include early mornings, evenings, overnight shifts, and occasional weekends. During non-program times, this is a 6 hour a day position. Additional hours are added as needed during Outdoor School and other programs.

CONTEXT AND WHO WE ARE: Highline Public Schools serves students and families in the communities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac and White Center in Washington state.

OUR PROMISE: Every student in Highline Public Schools is known by name, strength and need, and graduates prepared for the future they choose.
In 2013, families, students, staff and community members across Highline came together to develop a strategic plan that reflects our goals and dreams for students. Our strategic plan is our equity plan and is guided by Our Promise. In 2023, the strategic plan was updated to guide our work, identifying four bold goals:

• Culture of Belonging: A culture where all are welcome, valued, and safe.
• Innovative Learning: Academic experiences that engage, empower, and challenge every student.
• Bilingual & Biliterate: Multicultural skills that enable students to live, work, and communicate across cultures.
• Future Ready: Students explore possibilities and develop mindsets that prepare them for a changing future.

WASKOWITZ OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER: Our vision is to create a future where all people are stewards of the land with a profound connection to the outdoors and one another. Our values include:

• Reverence for our history
• Stewardship of the land
• Joy in our work
• Belonging in community and the outdoors
• Respect for students as young leaders
• Care for one another
• Leadership in outdoor education
• Hope for the future

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Leadership and Supervision
• Provide day-to-day, non-evaluative supervision and mentorship to Outdoor Educators.
• Support the professional development, leadership growth, and instructional quality of Outdoor Educator staff.
• Facilitate team meetings, feedback conversations, and community-building practices with the instructional team.
• Serve as on-site support during overnight and evening programming, including supervision of staff and students.

High School Leadership Program
• Lead the recruitment, placement, training, and weekly development of high school student leaders.
• Design and facilitate curriculum focused on leadership, mentorship, equity, and environmental stewardship.
• Build meaningful mentoring relationships with high school leaders; support their personal growth and leadership.
• Train Outdoor Educators and seasonal staff to work effectively with high school leaders.
• Coordinate schedules, logistics, and placement of high school leaders across programs.

Program Planning & Facilitation
• Deliver culturally responsive, hands-on curriculum for students, high school leaders, and visiting groups.
• Collaborate with the Waskowitz leadership team to plan and implement engaging and inclusive programming.
• Create and facilitate day and evening activities, including lessons, skits, games, and community events.
• Participate in all-staff duties such as trail maintenance, general cleaning of program spaces, and meal supervision and hosting.

Culture Building
• Foster a safe, positive, and inclusive learning environment for all students and staff.
• Promote stewardship, curiosity, and connection to place in every part of the program experience.

Partnership & Collaboration
• Collaborate with district staff, visiting teachers, and partner organizations.
• Contribute to professional development and staff training.
• Support program logistics, scheduling, communication, and emergency response as needed.
• Assist in kitchen, office, or other related roles when needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Science, Environmental Education, Recreation, or other related fields
• Four years of experience as an Outdoor Educator or outdoor work with youth/adolescents
• Experience leading or coordinating others

PREFERRED:

• Master’s Degree in related field
• Bilingual in English and additional language(s) represented in the school community
• Passion for working with youth in an outdoor setting
• Flexibility in scheduling, including early mornings, evenings, overnights, and weekends