Nature Educator

Mission Edge; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

A nature education organization is seeking a passionate Nature Educator to teach elementary school children about bees and the natural world in the San Francisco Bay Area. The role involves delivering engaging lessons, preparing materials, and ensuring student safety. Candidates should have excellent communication skills, experience with children, and a degree in a relevant field. The position offers flexible hours, typically 5 to 15 hours per week, with training provided. Prior experience and bilingual skills are strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• Must have availability during normal elementary school hours.
• Must be comfortable working around honey bees.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Comfortable working around honey bees; safe driving record; valid license and insurance.
• 18+ years old; legally eligible to work in the United States; background check.
• 2+ years of experience with children and teaching preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Education, STEM, Conservation, Environmental, or related field preferred.
• Bilingual or fluent in Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Teach nature education classes to elementary grade students.
• Prepare course materials before class and fill out reports afterwards.
• Transport live insects or animals safely.
• Transport live insects or animals in provided enclosures; maintain safety in class.
• Maintain a safe classroom environment for children, teachers and critters.
• Demonstrate energy, organization, and flexibility.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Organizational ability

Experience with children

Bilingual (Spanish)

Flexibility

Bilingual (Spanish)

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Education, STEM, Conservation, Environmental, Sustainability

Tools

Google Drive

Job description

About Sager Family Farm

Sager Family Farm is a nature education organization offering pre‑k through adult classes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego County. Our elementary school programs are designed to bring field trips into the classroom and are a fun way to enhance life science, animal or insect units. In a typical class, we bring in live insects or animals, which is always exciting!

The Position

We’re looking for a Nature Educator who will teach our honey bee curriculum in elementary schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, primarily in San Mateo County. Our “Big Buzz About Bees” (BBAB) program is Sager Family Farm’s flagship education program; our modular lessons are designed to enhance existing curriculum and inspire curiosity about the natural world. As part of the BBAB program, our Nature Educators bring all the parts of a working beehive into the classroom, creating an exciting learning environment and reinforcing key concepts. We utilize observational hives specially designed for in‑class use which allow students to sneak a peek at worker bees caring for young larvae, making honey, and building the walls of their hive. Each lesson is designed to help students achieve state learning standards as well as teach vital life skills, including socialization, self‑reliance, teamwork, and overcoming fear.

The ideal candidate will have experience teaching elementary school‑aged children, is flexible in adapting to different teaching environments, and uses a variety of strategies to ensure each child is engaged and excited to learn. We’re looking for a passionate educator who loves to share their enthusiasm for nature, science, and learning in general.

Most of our Bay Area partner‑schools are located in San Mateo County and Alameda County. The majority of the students we present to are Kindergarten to 2nd grade.

Our Nature Educators typically travel to different schools on a daily basis, teaching in 1‑5 classrooms at 1 or 2 schools in a single day. Each lesson is 40‑60 minutes depending on age range, class size, and school schedules.

No knowledge of bees is required and paid training will be provided. We have a professional beekeeping team who ensure that our educational animals and insects are maintained and cared for (you are not expected to be a beekeeper or have direct contact with the bees). The hours are variable (typically 5 to 15 hours per week) and can be flexible based on your schedule.

Responsibilities

• Teach nature education classes to a wide range of students. Typically K‑2nd grade. Curriculum, training, and materials will be provided to you.
• Prepare course materials before class. After class, note anything that needs to be updated or replaced, fill out a “class report form” which records information about the classes taught.
• Arrive on‑time to scheduled classes and commitments.
• Transport live insects or animals safely in your own vehicle (insects and animals will be properly contained in appropriate enclosures provided by Sager Family Farm).
• Maintain a safe environment in class with children, teachers and critters.
• The ideal candidate is energetic, highly organized, and flexible.

Requirements

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of organizational ability. Proficiency with Google Drive/Docs/Slides is a plus.
• Must have availability during normal elementary school hours (Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM). Not necessarily every day.
• Must be comfortable working around honey bees.
• Must have a safe vehicle, valid driver’s license, auto insurance and a clean driving record.
• Must be at least 18 years old, legally authorized to work in the United States, and willing to undergo a background check.
• Strongly prefer candidates who have 2+ years of experience working with children and teaching.
• Strongly prefer candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (Education, STEM, Conservation, Environmental, Sustainability, etc.).
• Strongly prefer candidates with lived experience within the communities we serve.
• Strongly prefer candidates who are bilingual or fluent in Spanish.

To Apply

Please submit your resume and a cover letter and be prepared to provide two references.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and are not all inclusive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Mission Edge San Diego provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, age, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, caregiver status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.