Outdoor Education/ Woods Teacher

Sylvania; Bayfield (CO); On-site; USD 48,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Bayfield School District in Southwest Colorado seeks an Outdoor Education/Woods Teacher for the Middle School Explore Team. This 179‑day position provides students with outdoor leadership, wilderness skills, and a hands‑on woods course where they learn tool safety and project design.

Requirements include a Bachelor's Degree and a Colorado Teaching License (or in progress of an approved alternative licensure program), with a preference for a secondary teaching license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Must hold or be in progress of Colorado Teaching License or approved Alternative Licensure Program.
• Preference for a secondary teaching license.

Responsibilities

• Maintain student confidentiality and collaborate with special education staff.
• Attend required professional development including CPI, CPR and First Aid.
• Inspire and work collaboratively with staff and the community.
• Follow district policies and procedures and support the Wolverine Way.

Skills

Outdoor education background

Woodworking knowledge

Experience with children

Strong verbal communication

Diversity inclusion

Valid Colorado driver’s license

Background check fingerprints

BSD online application

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

PowerSchool

Excel

Google

Word

Job description

Outdoor Education/ Woods Teacher

Work Year: 179 days

Department: Middle School Explore Team

Reports to: Middle School Principal

Salary: $48,000-$65,750/ year

Overview

This position will provide students with the opportunities to grow leadership skills and focus on outdoor educational content and skills. Elements may include: wilderness first aid, orienteering, mountain biking, fly fishing, archery, and more. This class will provide students with the skills they need to enjoy the world around them. This role also teaches a hands‑on Woods course where students learn foundational woodworking skills, tool safety, and project design while building confidence through practical, real‑world craftsmanship.

Bayfield School District is located in the mountains of Southwest Colorado and is a short drive to Purgatory Resort, Wolf Creek Ski Area, and historic Durango. La Plata County is a world‑class environment for outdoor enthusiasts with miles of trails for hiking and biking, wild rivers for rafting, breathtaking lakes for fishing and boating, and winter ski opportunities to complete 12‑months of recreation.

Bayfield District is dedicated to attracting and to retaining high‑quality educators and leaders. You will be warmly welcomed into our Bayfield Family, provided opportunities to learn and grow, and challenged to be your very best as you share our vision: Each Student, Each Day: Wolverine Way.

Qualifications

• Strong outdoor education background.
• Strong woodworking knowledge.
• Experience in working with children.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Positive interactions and work experiences with diverse people.
• Maintain a valid Colorado driver’s license.
• Submit fingerprints for a criminal background check.
• Completed and submitted BSD on‑line application.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the following essential functions satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Maintain student confidentiality, following state regulations and district protocols around confidentiality.
• Collaborate with special education teacher/case manager on implementation of individual student plans.
• Attend required professional development, including CPI, CPR and First Aid (maintain certification).
• When requested, attend IEP annual or tri‑annual meetings as well as staff meetings.
• Positively impact student achievement, using appropriate instructional strategies and strong knowledge of the appropriate curriculum and content area.
• Effectively manage the learning environment.
• Understand, appreciate and make accommodations for student diversity.
• Participate in professional development for continuous learning.
• Work with families in a partnership role.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and community.
• Follow State legal requirements and District and building policies and procedures.
• Inspire and work collaboratively with staff members and the community.
• Commit to the district vision of Each Student, Each Day: Wolverine Way.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Education and Training

• Bachelor's Degree

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Must hold or be in progress of a Colorado Teaching License.
• Or Approved Alternative Teaching Licensure Program.
• Prefer a secondary teaching license.

Skills, Knowledge, and Equipment

• Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., PowerSchool, Word, Excel, Google).
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; willingness to communicate frequently with families regarding school curriculum and student progress.
• Knowledge of and deep belief in inclusion in the general education classroom for all students, including those on an IEP and/or learning English.
• Dedication to high standards of excellence and the success of all students; ability to personalize instruction for students so that all are challenged to learn.
• Data‑driven evidence of closing the achievement gap and deep knowledge of instructional practices that will do so.
• Technologically literate and motivated to use technology to enhance learning.
• Uses standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, copy and fax machines, and telephone.

Salary

Per the Bayfield School District Certified Teacher Salary Schedule based on education and years of experience.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk and frequently required to walk and must be able to stand up frequently. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to hear the difference between bells, buzzers, beeps, horns, etc. The employee frequently communicates through speech.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must be comfortable functioning in both indoor and outdoor work environments; the employee must be able to drive a vehicle and district equipment.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The job description and statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. This job description is not intended to create any express or implied contract of employment or expectancy of continued employment for any definite term.

The Board is committed to providing a safe learning and work environment where all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect. The schools in the district are subject to all federal and state laws and constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry or need for special education services. Accordingly, no otherwise qualified student, employee, applicant for employment or member of the public may be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to unlawful discrimination under any district program or activity on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law.

July 2026