First Year Naturalist Educator

Canyonlands Field Institute; Moab, Northern (UT, KY); Hybrid; USD 27,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free housing

Meals provided

Mentorship

Equipment access

Job summary

Canyonlands Field Institute in Moab, Utah, seeks a First Year Naturalist Educator for a seasonal program (Mar 3–Oct 31, 2027). You will lead land-based programming for schools and youth at Professor Valley Camp and multi-day river trips on the Green, Colorado, and San Juan Rivers.

This paid position includes free housing, mentorship, and outdoor education training. Applicants must be 21+, pass a background check, and be prepared for field-based teaching, guiding, and leadership roles.

Qualifications

• Teaching and facilitation experience for youth or adults.
• Experience cultivating relationships with diverse groups.
• Willingness to develop river guiding and safety skills.
• Ability to manage groups and communicate effectively.
• Commitment to safety and risk awareness in remote settings.
• Understanding of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.

Responsibilities

• Teach and guide groups up to 15 students or adults.
• Lead river trips and set up river camps; perform cooking duties.
• Maintain health and safety standards; follow risk management policies.
• Rig and de-rig equipment; assist with program outreach and documentation.
• Develop lesson plans with program managers; contribute to curriculum.

Skills

Teaching & Facilitation

Youth experience

Boating/Technical Guiding

Group management

Risk management

Inclusion & accessibility

Teamwork

Self-management

Job description

Type: Seasonal: March 3rd through October 31st, 2027

Benefits: Free, shared, all gender housing is provided. Meals during all overnight programming and day programming where meals are included for clients. Mentorship and professional development in technical boating, guiding, teaching, and facilitation. Use of all CFI equipment needed to perform job duties. CFI will provide required gear and equipment.

Schedule: Priority Application deadline: Oct. 17th, 2026

Note: paid position, free housing provided

Reports to: Education Director

Department: Education

Category: Non-Exempt

Classification: Seasonal, March 3- October 31, 2027

Salary: $175/day, $17.50/hour, free housing

Number of Openings: Four (4)

WHY WORK FOR CANYONLANDS FIELD INSTITUTE?

Canyonlands Field Institute (CFI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Moab, Utah. For over 40 years we have been rooted in our mission to cultivate connection to self, community, and nature by creating inclusive educational pathways to the outdoors . We believe in nurturing students of all ages and backgrounds, connection to self, community, and natural spaces. Through meaningful outdoor educational programming, CFI seeks to build immersive learning experiences by combining place-based science, an unplugged from technology environment, play, exploration, artistic expression, and social emotional learning curriculum. By joining our educational community, you can help us grow the next generation of caring leaders and environmental stewards, who can affect positive change in our world. While simultaneously building a robust set of technical, interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, the Colorado Plateau.

INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY & ACCESSIBILITY (IDEA) :

CFI holds diversity and inclusion as core values and believes that healthy – vibrant human and natural communities are interconnected. We participated in the first cohort in the two-year workshop training series, Working Towards Racial Equity, led by UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and Justice Outside, which supports environmental and outdoor science organizations to build capacity to foster equitable, inclusive, and culturally relevant work environments. CFI also makes a commitment to transparency and accountability by annually signing the InSolidarity Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge, to solidify our public commitment to being part of the solution in moving the outdoor education sector toward being a (natural) space of belonging for all . The InSolidarity Project evolved to become the Outdoor Diversity Alliance and CFI is a subscriber.

PURPOSE OF POSITION WITH CFI:

The First Year Naturalist Educator training program is a paid professional development program for outdoor educators beginning their career of connecting people to, and fostering care for, the natural environment. The position focuses on facilitating land-based programming for school and youth groups at our Professor Valley Field Camp and multi-day river trips on the Green, Colorado, and San Juan Rivers. The First Year Naturalist Educator position is an entry point to CFI’s Outdoor Educator and Leadership Development program. This position includes opportunities for advancement at CFI and training relevant to careers in recreation and outdoor education.

ROLE SCOPE & RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

Teaching & Guiding – 60% of the time

• Deliver research-supported curriculum to groups of up to fifteen 1st-12th grade students or adults as needed
• Facilitate team building, leadership, and Social Emotional Learning activities.
• Captain paddle rafts of up to 10 participants and row gear boats through up to class IV sections of river
• Lead participants in set-up of river camps
• Cook and serve meals for up to 60 participants
• Maintain high standards of health and safety in all aspects of the position
• Follow Risk Management policies in all activities

Support Staff Duties – 20% of the time

• Support programs by: Rigging, De-rigging, and Scouting.
• Operate a motor vehicle (van or truck) with a trailer to transport program participants and gear, or to conduct other work activities. Training in trailer handling and four-wheel drive will be provided.
• Maintain organization and cleanliness of all CFI equipment, including teaching materials, gear & vehicles
• Assist with documenting program engagement (taking photos & videos), developing outreach materials, potential grant writing and other office needs.
• Support Commissary Manager
• Repair and maintain equipment

Lesson Planning & Curriculum Development – 10% of the time

• Work closely with the program managers to develop lesson plans and program materials

Canyonlands Field Institute Team Engagement – 10% of the time

• Attend weekly operation meetings
• Participate in 1 on 1 meetings with Program Manager/Mentor regularly
• Support the advancement of the vision and mission of CFI by engaging in strategy, planning, goal setting, and leadership meetings/conversations.

CONSIDERED QUALIFICATIONS

There are many skills and qualifications that guides come to CFI with and/or spend their season developing. Below are some of the critical competencies that we look for when hiring. We do not expect individual candidates to have experience in all of these realms and encourage those with just some to apply. We recognize that lived experiences can often supplement formal work experiences and we value these as an employer. We also recognize certifications as a barrier to many guiding positions and will provide the right applicant with these certifications if need be.

Teaching & Facilitation : Experience or a willingness to learn to facilitate inquiry-based and student-centered curriculum, as well as place-based learning. Formal or informal teaching experience, particularly with youth is desired.

Experience with youth —Experience working with, cultivating relationships, or supporting youth. A willingness to show empathy, respect, patience, care and social relatability to diverse populations of youth is required.

Boating/Technical Guiding : A willingness to develop technical river running skills, learn river-based systems, and complete a swiftwater rescue course compensated by CFI. Prior guiding experience is a plus but not a requirement.

Group management —Experience organizing, intentionally listening, and communicating with diverse groups of people and a willingness to step into co-facilitation of large group management.

Risk management —Experience managing personal and group risk, particularly in a remote wilderness context, as well as a willingness to develop a comprehensive risk management lens and practices.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility — We welcome applicants with lived experiences as members of communities marginalized from the outdoor industry, public lands and society at large. Individuals who have an understanding of the myriad relationships youth and adults have with nature and outdoor education programs based on intersectional identities. A demonstrated commitment to valuing IDEA in working, learning, and community environments. Have an ability or desire to engage in program and organizational dialogue around these topics in a meaningful way.

Teamwork —Experience collaborating with a small team of people. The ability to give and receive feedback and navigate interpersonal relationships as well as conflict management as a means of achieving a shared goal.

Self-management —Techniques for taking care of one’s physical and mental needs in a dynamic work environment, and self-advocate for support in doing so. A positive growth mindset and proactive decision-making abilities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 21 years of age.
• CFI requires everyone who comes in contact with youth to take a comprehensive background check.
• Current driver’s license and a willingness to participate in and pass CFI Driver Training
• Provide a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) for the state you are currently licensed in and maintain a clean driving record while employed by CFI
• Must pass a DOT physical exam (paid for by CFI)
• Must pass a Utah Food Handlers certification course (paid for by CFI)
• Must maintain a currently Wilderness First Responder certification (paid for by CFI)
• Available to work a flexible schedule, including days, nights, and weekends

Compensation: During the first month of training, First Year Naturalist Educators will receive $300/2-week pay period. After training through the end of the contract season pay will increase to $175 per day or $17.50/hr.

Benefits : Free, shared, all gender housing is provided. Meals during all overnight programming and day programming where meals are included for clients. Mentorship and professional development in technical boating, guiding, teaching, and facilitation. Use of all CFI equipment needed to perform job duties. CFI will provide required gear and equipment.

Time off & Certifications:

• Two pre-scheduled paid weeks off in June and August are provided to program staff. Working hours will be program dependent, but there will usually be two days off/week. May and September are exceptionally busy. Schedules will vary due to assigned river launch dates and bookings by groups.
• Wilderness first responder (WFR )training or a re-certification will be reimbursed, if needed. WFR is a requirement of this position.
• Food Handlers certification if not already certified

Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at Canyonlands Field Institute. The Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, citizenship or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies or programs.