General Summary of Position:
The Forest School Educator is a seasonal part-time position that works within our Education Team to facilitate Bluff Lake’s Forest School program, summer camp, and field trips.

Forest School

Bluff Lake Forest School is inspired by the European Forest School philosophy. Unlike a traditional preschool, Bluff Lake Forest School operates exclusively outdoors where children (ages 3-7) learn in and from the natural environment. Educators are present to facilitate children’s learning, which is guided by their own experiences and interests. Bluff Lake Forest School focuses on pre-academic skill development including critical thinking skills, problem-solving, and building social and emotional competence. Our educators provide high-quality, meaningful learning experiences that meet children’s developmental needs, while fostering their natural curiosity and scaffolding the children’s learning. Bluff Lake Forest School allows children the space and freedom to examine their own interests, while supporting each child’s development. We model appropriate behavior and language, ask questions, and are there for the children for whatever they might need.

Field Trips

Field Trips are led year-round. Field trips are offered to schools on Tuesdays thru Fridays, with pre visit outreach trips occurring on Monday. Field Trip topics include water quality, habitats, biodiversity, and outdoor survival.

Summer Camp

Summer Camp inspires campers to better understand and appreciate the outdoors through a blend of weekly environmental topics, nature exploration, animal encounters, hands-on lessons, games, crafts, and free creek play. This program lasts for 10 weeks during the summer, with roughly 45 campers and junior counselors coming to Bluff Lake daily. Camp is held from 9am-3pm entirely outdoors.

The responsibilities of the Environmental Educator include the following:

• Facilitate 3 half days a week (Tue, Wed, Thu, roughly from 8:15am-12:15pm)
• Lead field trips and substitute for summer camp as needed on Mondays and Fridays.
• Assist Forest School Manager and other Forest School Educators to implement, and deliver an outdoor-based preschool program based on the enrolled children’s individual and group’s educational, intellectual, physical, social, and emotional needs.
• Work in conjunction with the Education Team to maintain organized education materials onsite.
• Support the Education Team with any material preparation.
• Participate in related staff activities, including but not limited to training, special programs, planning sessions, and staff meetings.

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to BLNC and its mission of making nature and environmental education more accessible and equitable
• Strong organizational and communication skills with adults and children
• Background check and fingerprints submitted and cleared by the Colorado Department of Human Services (BLNC coordinates and pays for this)
• Team player, enthusiastic, organized, creative, critical thinker, and self-motivated
• Reliable transportation to Bluff Lake Nature Center
• Ability to work independently and on multiple projects
• Desire and ability to communicate clearly and positively, and cooperate well, with co-workers, volunteers, visitors, contractors, partners and others
• Ability to problem solve, show initiative, and make sound decisions needed to fulfill job duties and meet organizational objectives
• Basic computer skills such as Excel, Word, and email
• Candidates who speak fluent Spanish will be given additional compensation, but it is not required
• Remain flexible and calm when addressing conflict involving activities of young children ranging from 3 to 13 years of age.

Physical Requirements:

• Be prepared for physical activities such as walking/hiking (up to 2 miles); wading in Sand Creek (the creek bed is rocky and can be slippery).
• Conduct activities involving stooping, kneeling, bending, crouching, crawling, twisting, and reaching on a frequent basis and moderate sitting.
• Sit on the ground or crouch at a child’s level. Lift a child weighing up to 50 pounds. Lift, carry, push, and/or pull a wagon weighing up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Conditions:

• The majority of this position's duties are performed in an outdoor environment. Employees may be exposed to adverse weather including snow, rain, wind, and heat, and poor air quality, and must dress appropriately for the weather.