Assistant Director of Field Studies, School Year Program

Sequoyah School; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in education is seeking an Assistant Director of Field Studies to enhance K-12 learning through immersive outdoor experiences. This role involves co-designing and leading approximately 24 overnight trips annually, fostering critical thinking and life skills among students. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills, a passion for outdoor education, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Join a team dedicated to nurturing the heart and challenging the mind, while creating lasting memories and impactful learning experiences for students in a vibrant, supportive environment.

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years in organizing outdoor education trips with youth.
• Wilderness First Responder certification or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Co-design and lead K-12 field studies programs and trips.
• Manage logistics for overnight trips, ensuring safety and engagement.

Skills

Outdoor Education

Risk Management

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Facilitation Skills

Curriculum Design

Communication Skills

Spanish (Conversational)

Education

Wilderness First Responder Certification

Experience in Outdoor Education

Tools

Google Sheets

Google Docs

Google Forms

Job description

Founded in 1958, Sequoyah School is an independent progressive K-12 day school in Pasadena, California, built on the belief that diversity of all kinds is fundamental to a powerful education. Students find joy and deep learning as they navigate through curriculum while teachers guide problem-centered classrooms fostering curiosity through intellectual exploration and opportunities for application. The school’s mission to challenge the mind, nurture the heart, and celebrate human dignity is evidenced in its place-based program and signature experiences like Field Studies, the Social Innovation Program, Talking Leaves, and more.

Job Overview
The Assistant Director of Field Studies is responsible for supporting the design and implementation of K-12 field studies year-round programming informed by the school’s mission and educational philosophy. The field studies curriculum heavily integrates with the classroom curriculum and enhances the Sequoyah experience as students are intentionally led towards increasing levels of responsibility, self-reliance, relationship skills, and an understanding of our world.
Sequoyah’s Field Studies program begins in Kindergarten and continues through 12th grade, ranging from three to fifteen-day trips. We seek candidates who are committed to using the outdoors as a medium for teaching critical thinking and life skills.
This position involves a significant amount of time leading students in the field as well as the administration of other trips and development of the program on campus and reports to the Director of Field Studies.

Hiring Term
2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR

Roles and Responsibilities

• Co-design, staff, and direct the school year program, encompassing roughly 24 overnight trips annually, including acting as trip leader on 8-10 of these trips.
• Facilitate and support the many logistics involved in running overnight trips, including food orders and packout, vehicle safety, itinerary development, land agency outreach, permitting, instructor hiring, and clean-up.
• Help transport students in 10-passenger vans or a cargo van.
• Regularly review and develop curricular integration, risk management, and systems development for an equitable learning experience for all students.
• Maintain a trip-ready inventory of gear, including tents, stoves, backpacks, kitchen equipment, etc.
• Assure proper documentation of a trip, including proactive communication with parents before and after.
• Oversee the work of vendors, outfitters, and field studies instructors.
• Provide appropriate physical and emotional support and care for all trip participants.
• Consistent with the school’s mission and ethos, steward a culture of community and belonging for all participants, inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity.
• Collaborate effectively with members of the administration team in support of the goals of the field studies program.
• Attend relevant school and departmental meetings, as needed.
• Represent the school in its mission and values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Field Studies.

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of experience organizing and leading outdoor education trips with youth, or equivalent transferable experience.
• Technical proficiency in backpacking and camping.
• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, or willingness to complete and maintain this certification.
• Enthusiasm for spending around 40 to 50 days in the field annually with youth and parents.
• Strong risk management experience in a field and wilderness context.
• Ability and desire to live in the Pasadena or Los Angeles area - this is an in-person position.
• Outstanding interpersonal, organizational, and facilitation skills.
• Detail-oriented, resourceful, and able to prepare multiple trips at the same time.
• Proficient in Google Sheets, Docs, Forms.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
• Ability to work in an intimate office and field environment.
• Flexibility to adjust workday schedule to include some weekends and holidays.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Ability to communicate with students and staff across all intersections of identity in ways that are respectful and mindful.
• Prior experience designing curriculum for outdoor education programs and/or classroom experiential learning teaching experience.
• Additional technical proficiencies in rock climbing, flat water kayaking and canoeing, etc.
• Additional valid certifications such as: AMGA SPI, LNT Master Educator, WEMT, ACA or BCU Paddling.
• Conversational Spanish.
• Experience with permit applications, obtaining academic waivers, and reservations on Recreation.gov.
• Experience running international programming.

Additional Compliance and Operational Information:

Salary Range Transparency: The expected pay range for this position is $68 K to $86 K per year, and benefits are eligible. Compensation for this position will be provided upon request or during the interview process, in alignment with California pay equity laws.

At-Will Employment: This position is considered at-will, meaning employment may be terminated by either the employer or employee at any time, with or without cause or notice, unless otherwise specified in writing.

Disability Accommodations: Sequoyah School provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please let us know if you require assistance during the application process.

Vaccination Policy: Sequoyah School may require proof of vaccination in accordance with applicable laws and health regulations.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Sequoyah School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Sequoyah: Diversity is a founding value of Sequoyah School, and we seek candidates willing and interested in upholding an equitable, inclusive environment. Sequoyah School is also an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any phase of employment. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

For more information about Sequoyah School or to see other career opportunities, please visit our website at sequoyahschool.org.