Environmental Education Instructor

Seeds of Peace Camp; Brunswick (ME); Hybrid; USD 20,247 - 25,252; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site housing

Access to meals on campus during programs

Job summary

An educational summer camp is seeking a passionate Environmental Education Instructor to lead outdoor programs from April through October. The instructor will manage activities for school groups, ensuring a safe and engaging learning environment. Qualifications include a degree in a relevant field, leadership skills, and outdoor education experience. Competitive salary starts at $500 per week with on-site housing provided during employment. This role offers a unique opportunity in an active outdoor setting.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must pass a Criminal Background Check.
• Current Wilderness First Aid Certification required.

Responsibilities

• Lead overnight programs for school groups based on outdoor education.
• Implement risk management and group management for programs.
• Develop and maintain teaching mastery of CEE curricula.

Skills

Natural leadership qualities

Exceptional communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology, outdoor recreation or related field

Job description

The Chewonki Foundation is seeking a passionate Environmental Education Instructor with excellent leadership skills to join the Chewonki Team! The Environmental Education Instructor position is a 3-season position spanning the beginning of April through the end of October, with the opportunity to work for Camp during the Summer season.

Location: Wiscasset, Maine (On Campus/Hybrid)

Schedule/Approximate 2026 Dates: April 2026 - May 2026; August, 2026 - October, 2026

June, 2026 - August, 2026: Camp Chewonki (Summer)

Refer to position descriptions on Camp Chewonki’s website for a more full picture of what the summer will entail.

Potential positions: Trip Leader and Adventure Staff, Summer Farm Worker/Educator, Counselor, Camp Leadership positions.

Reports to: Director of the Center for Environmental Education

Chewonki's Mission

"Chewonki inspires transformative growth, teaches appreciation and stewardship of the natural world, and challenges people to build thriving, sustainable communities throughout their lives."

Position Summary

The Environmental Education Instructor (EEI) position is a 3-season position spanning the beginning of April through the end of October. During the spring and fall, EEIs work within the Center for Environmental Education department. EEI’s lead overnight programs for school groups on cabin trips, base camping trips, saltwater canoe trips, on-campus day programs, and off-site natural history presentations to facilitate positive learning experiences in nature. Curriculum includes teaching outdoor living skills, team building, farm and food systems, and ecology, and span multiple place-based teaching methods and styles. During overnight camping programs (Basecamps and Saltwater Canoe Trips) instructors camp with their students and a school chaperone in small groups at shore-side campsites on Chewonki Neck. Ecology Expeditions are overnight programs where students and chaperones sleep in cabins, with the chaperone providing nighttime supervision. The team of EEIs facilitate approximately 140 groups over the course of the spring and fall Center for Environmental Education (CEE) seasons.

Upon the successful completion of the spring season, EEIs have the opportunity to work for Camp Chewonki. The summer season runs from June to August where staff will have day, evening and overnight responsibilities supporting our residential camp program. Under the supervision of the Camp Director Team, EEI’s may fill roles within Camp Chewonki such as; Trip Leader/Adventure Staff, Farm staff, Coordinator positions, and more! Positions at camp will be determined by the Camp Chewonki Directors based on individuals experience, qualifications, interest, and organizational need.

Essential Responsibilities

Center for Environmental Education (Spring and Fall)

• Lead three or four-day base camping and saltwater canoe trips for schools:
  • Finalize itinerary, teaching blocks and all other logistics.
  • food and gear for the duration of the program.
• Lead three-day Ecology Expeditions for schools:
  • Sharing breakfasts and dinners with participants in the dining hall, and sharing picnic-style lunches.
  • Finalize itinerary, teaching blocks and all other logistics.
  • While leading assigned program, effectively implement the following:
    • Hold the risk management and group management for the duration of the program.
    • Teach scheduled activities and outdoor living skills.
    • Professionally represent Chewonki.
    • Appropriately communicate with the CEE admin team as needed.
  • Hold responsibility for physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of participants; this includes:
  • Develop healthy and appropriate relationships with participants.
  • Manage risk and maintain the safety of participants.
  • Provide direct supervision of participants as assigned.
  • Develop a positive co-leader dynamic between other Chewonki co-leaders and/or school chaperones.

Develop and maintain a teaching mastery of the core components of the CEE curricula while maintaining a positive and fun learning environment:

• Outdoor living skills.
• Team building facilitation.
• Ecology curriculum.
• Farm and food systems.

Support other CEE programs when not in the field by assisting a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:

• Travelling off-site to deliver natural history presentations.
• Equipment repair.
• Food stocking.
• Guest teaching lessons.
• Assisting with tasks related to animal care in the Wildlife Center.
• Driving.
• Overnight on-call responsibilities.
• Food services support.

Camp Chewonki (Summer)

Refer to position descriptions on Camp Chewonki’s website for a more full picture of what the summer will entail.

Potential positions: Trip Leader and Adventure Staff, Summer Farm Worker/Educator, Counselor, Camp Leadership positions.

This is a residential position. On-site housing is provided as part of the role and is available only while you are actively employed. Housing ends when employment concludes.

Salary & Benefits

The starting salaries for Environmental Education Instructors are differentiated by season below. Pay rate increases based on relevant certifications (Lifeguard, Registered Maine Guide, American Canoe Association Instructor, Swiftwater Rescue, etc). The two salaries are combined and spread evenly over the employment period. Salary for the Camp Chewonki season varies depending on position, refer to Camp Chewonki job openings for more details. Salary for the Center for Environmental Education season (Spring and Fall) starts at $500.00 per week, housing is included throughout employment and access to meals on campus during Chewonki programs.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology, outdoor recreation or related field, preferred.
• Must pass a Criminal Background Check including Motor Vehicle Record.
• Valid Driver’s License approved by Chewonki’s insurance carrier, preferred.
• Attend required onboarding and training sessions (in-person/on campus).
• Current Wilderness First Aid Certification required; current Wilderness First Responder Certification preferred.
• Experience in the outdoor or experiential education field, or working with a wide range age of children preferred.
• Current Maine Guide License preferred.
• Natural leadership qualities and exceptional communication skills.
• Ability to seek solutions and stay calm under pressure.
• Ability to live and work in a small community.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lb at a time.
• Must be able to work in an active, outdoor environment in a variety of weather conditions.
• Willingness to live in a camp setting and work irregular hours.