Preschool Educator
This Education role is a combination of spring schoolyear preschool lead teacher, and summer camp educator for a term of April – August. The role will be supporting two different programs, both geared towards preschool aged youth in the outdoors.

The Preschool Lead Teacher’s role is to support NSEA’s fully outdoors Keystone Preschool program. The teacher will co-teach to lead a small group of 3 & 4 year olds in daily preschool activities. This licensed, nature-based preschool learning occurs primarily on NSEA’s campus, as well as at various field trip locations throughout Whatcom County. The Preschool Teacher is responsible for supporting learning goals that focus on our inquiry and nature-based program, with an emphasis on the outdoor environment as an outdoor classroom learning opportunity. The goals are to encourage students’ understanding of the natural world, grow in empathy and kindness towards others, and build strong skills through hands on sensory experiences, skill building, and growing in knowledge. The Preschool Lead Teacher works under the supervision of the Preschool Coordinator and co-teaches with the other Lead Teacher. The teacher will join the classroom’s existing teachers in April, through the end of the school year on Friday, June 5th. Candidates must be available 8am-2:30pm, Tuesday-Friday, from April 13th until June 5th. There will also be approximately 15 paid hours of mandatory paperwork to be completed asynchronously before April 13th.

The position will continue into our summer preschool program, Camp Keystone. Camp Educators will be responsible for co-leading groups of up to 12 campers in outdoor programming including nature exploration, movement games, stories, arts and crafts, and songs, all based on the unique needs of the group each week as part of our emergent learning curriculum. Camp Educators will gain teaching and youth leadership skills, along with professional skills to benefit professional career pursuits. The dates of the summer educator role are June 15 – August 28, Monday – Friday. This includes a mandatory 1-week camp orientation in June term. Weekly hours for summer will vary and will feature a rotation of teaching 6-7 weeks of half-day camp (7:30am – 1:30pm) and 2-3 weeks of full-day camp (7:30am – 4:00pm). Hours are based on enrollment. If select weeks have low enrollment, educators are not guaranteed hours for those weeks. Each educator will be granted up to 1 scheduled week off during the summer period, and this role will have a week off between preschool and camp, June 8th – 12th. 

Preschool Responsibilities

1. Assist with supervision of up to 8 children daily, overseeing children’s socialemotional and physical needs in the classroom learning community.
2. Ensure the supervision, safety, and well-being of children daily including while on field trips to various Whatcom County locations.
3. Welcome and greet each child and family at arrival and departure time daily.
4. Inspire creativity and imagination into learning lessons, adapting teaching to each child’s needs and best learning styles.
5. Spend 100% of the day outside in nature, supporting students in wearing
appropriate clothing and moving bodies to maintain comfort.
6. Provide collaboration and leadership support with other Lead Teachers to develop innovative curriculum and projects based on children’s interests and the seasonal
changes in the natural spaces.
7. Assist with organizing and maintaining classroom environment, equipment and supplies, and report any issues or concerns with the Preschool Coordinator.
8. Maintain positive communication with all preschool students, families, and NSEA staff.
9. Follow NSEA and Keystone Nature Preschool philosophy and policies, which can be found in the handbook.
10. Complete all required training courses and complete CPR/First Aid certification if not already certified.
11. Additional duties as assigned.

Summer Camp Responsibilities:

1. Set up and prepare for camp daily.
2. Develop and lead engaging activities and curriculum tailored to the unique needs of each week’s group of campers.
3. Work collaboratively with fellow Camp Educators to plan for upcoming weeks.
4. Ensure safety of campers at all times.
5. Practice responsible group management to ensure campers are engaged.
6. Clean up after camp daily, including sanitizing equipment and bathrooms.
7. Team teach with fellow Camp Educators.
8. Communicate necessary information to Education Manager, Education Coordinators, and parents.
9. Attend professional development workshops to gain skills in a variety of topics.
10. Assist with facility needs.
11. Additional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• 18 years or older
• 1 year of experience working with preschool or elementary-aged children
• Able to get to NSEA’s campus, located at 3057 E. Bakerview Rd. in Bellingham
• Available 8am-2:30pm Tuesday through Friday, from April 13th – June 5th, and 7:30am-4pm Monday through Friday June 15th – August 28th.
• Able to walk on uneven terrain while lifting, carrying, or pulling programming gear
• Able to work 8 hours while standing, bending, and walking outdoors
• Must have the ability to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds on occasion
• Willingness to work in 100% outdoor settings throughout the year
• Demonstrate an understanding, patient, receptive, and positive attitude toward children, their families, and coworkers
• Able to make independent decisions and respond to immediate needs of children, especially in emergency situations

Preferred Qualifications

• A strong passion for NSEA’s mission and environmental education
• Experience working with young children outdoors
• Lived or professional experience working with people of all ethnicities, gender identities, incomes, abilities, and ages, especially youth
• Ability to read and speak Spanish
• Music, theater, or other creative expressions could be incorporated into preschool

Compensation

• $19.13 per hour, 22-39 hours per week, depending on the program season
• On-the-job training and professional development in environmental education and salmon ecology
• Employees can earn 1 hour of sick leave per 40 hours worked

Application deadline

Position is open until filled; first review deadline is Wednesday, March 25th.

Position duration
April 13th – Aug 28th, 2026