B’naiture Youth Mentor for Grades 6-8

Wilderness Torah; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 34,440 - 41,328; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Discounts on Wilderness Torah programs

Free attendance to virtual classes/ In

WFA course subsidized

Curriculum training

Job summary

Wilderness Torah in the San Francisco Bay Area seeks a part-time B’naiture mentor to guide middle schoolers through nature-based Jewish learning. The program runs six Sundays, six Wednesday nights near the Berkeley marina, and three weekend trips, spanning 2026–2028.

This role fosters personal growth, community building, and outdoor skill development. The ideal candidate has 3+ years mentoring youth in wilderness/nature-based or Jewish education, a cooperative spirit, and a commitment to

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in wilderness, nature-based, Jewish, and/or rites-of-passage programming.
• Experience mentoring youth ages 11–13.
• Knowledge of Jewish calendar/holidays; Jewish education experience a bonus.
• Ability to work collaboratively and think on your feet.
• Committed to completing the 2-year program.

Responsibilities

• Attend staff training weekend August 21-23 and end-of-season debrief.
• Participate in 3–6 hours of collaborative planning per month.
• Mentor and guide youth; maintain safety and health of all participants.
• Communicate with families as needed.
• Coordinate yearly calls with each family (Feb–Mar).
• Arrive promptly for Sundays (9:30–5:00) and Wednesdays (4:00–8:30); handle setup/cleanup.
• Respond promptly to email from program manager.
• Maintain CPR/first aid certification (WT reimburses).

Skills

Wilderness experience

Youth mentoring

Jewish learning

Nature-based education

Tools

CPR/First Aid training

Job description

Part-time. START DATE: August 2026. Would you love to guide middle schoolers through meaningful nature-connected experiences that support their personal development?

Job Description

B’naiture is a two-year, experiential program for youth in grades 6-8 that uses nature-based Jewish connection as a vehicle to explore the transition from childhood to adolescence. This Wilderness Torah program weaves Jewish spirituality, tradition, and teachings with personal challenges, outdoor skills, mentorship from adults outside of family, peer group community building, and nature awareness activities to provide an embodied way for youth to explore coming-of-age. B’naiture meets from October—May on six Sundays from 10:30-4:30pm in Joaquin Miller Park, six Wednesday nights around the Berkeley marina, and three weekend camping trips. We seek educators with 3+ years experience in youth mentoring, nature connection, wilderness skills, and/or Jewish learning to serve as mentors for our B’naiture program for the 2026-2028 cohort. As a B’naiture mentor, your role is to provide nature-based games, challenges, crafts, stories, Jewish and nature-based learning, and help guide youth into their teen years.

About Wilderness Torah and Adamah SF

Founded in 2007, Wilderness Torah is a leader in the earth-based Judaism movement... Now Powered by Adamah... See our website at wildernesstorah.org and adamah.org/hubs/sf/

Our workplace culture is one based on flexibility, trust, warmth, and dedication.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend staff training weekend August 21-23, additional trainings throughout year, and end of season staff debrief
• Participate in 3-6 hours of collaborative planning meetings per month
• Mentor and guide youth; maintain safety and health of all participants
• Communicate with families as needed
• Coordinate and participate in yearly calls with each family (approx. 6-8 hours over Feb–Mar)
• Arrive promptly for each meeting (Sundays generally 9:30-5:00 and Wednesdays 4:00-8:30) and for set-up/clean-up and camping trips
• Respond promptly to email from program manager and team
• Maintain CPR/first aid certification (WT reimburses if needed)

Qualifications and Expectations

Head

• Willingness to learn new things
• Timeliness and foresight; arrive prepared with materials and teaching you’ve agreed to
• Knowledge of and/or commitment to learning Jewish stories, songs, and teachings
• Knowledge of the Eight Shields model desired

Heart

• Personal spiritual practice and/or yearning to be more spiritually connected
• Love of and deep connection to the natural world
• Team player; excited to collaborate and cultivate community
• Experience and love of mentoring youth ages 11–13

Hands

• Specific nature-based and wilderness skills you are excited to teach
• Comfort with building/tending fire; basic whittling; music skills a plus
• Ability to lift at least 25 pounds and be outside in varied weather with a positive attitude

Desired Qualifications

• 3+ years experience providing wilderness, nature-based, Jewish, and/or rites-of-passage programming
• Naturalist and wilderness skills knowledge (teaching experience a bonus)
• Knowledge of Jewish calendar/holidays; Jewish education experience a bonus
• Ability to work collaboratively and think on your feet
• Committed to completing the 2-year program; ideally interested in continuing in future

Compensation & Benefits

• $25–$30/hr, part-time temporary role
• Paid earned sick leave
• 25% off Wilderness Torah youth programs for any children
• Free attendance to virtual classes/courses; discounts on in-person events
• WFA (Wilderness First Aid) course subsidized
• Training in award-winning curriculum

Wilderness Torah is committed to equal employment consideration without discrimination and strongly encourages people of color to apply.