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, and have a love of the natural world and a passion for 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 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. Spring training begins in mid to late January/Early February.

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

Educators for the 2024 late winter/early spring season will start as early as January 16th, depending on timing of interviews and hiring! The Spring season runs until June 20th with the possibility for rehire in the Fall of 2024 pending performance and fit!

Please Apply Here: https://ashokancenter.org/outdoor-education-team-member/

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 are variable, which can be a lot of fun for the right person, but we recognize this is not for everyone

Responsibilities

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• 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
• 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

Compensation

• $15 an hour first year with private room, free utilities, and Wi-Fi
• $17 an hour first year living off-site
• Any hours over 40 for a single week are overtime hours paid at 1.5x the hourly rate

Benefits

• Meals provided on 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 tee shirts and hoodies
• 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!