Piscataquis Youth Educator

Appalachian Mountain Club; Greenville (ME); On-site; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Room & Board

Insurance

403(b)

Paid Time Off

AMC Membership

Merchandise discounts

Job summary

Appalachian Mountain Club is hiring a Youth Educator to lead school and youth programs around Greenville, Maine. You’ll design and teach field-based lessons on climate, ecology, map skills, and outdoor leadership, working with AMC Maine education staff to deliver high-quality, hands-on experiences.

The role requires backcountry travel, safety leadership, and capacity to guide diverse groups of youth and families in a positive learning environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading youth groups in backcountry settings.
• Experiential teaching background required or preferred.
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in outdoor education.
• Ability to collaborate across co-leaders and departments.
• WFR/CPR certification preferred or ability to obtain before start.

Responsibilities

• Lead single day and multiday youth/family trips (backpacking, hiking, paddling, XC skiing, snowshoeing).
• Deliver place-based environmental education, leadership, and community-building lessons.
• Foster an inclusive learning environment and positive group culture.
• Prioritize safety and manage risk in backcountry settings; assess environmental and human risk.
• Provide wilderness medical care and promote Leave No Trace ethics.
• Plan and teach field and school programs with AMC Maine education staff.
• Handle logistics: gear, supplies, inventories, food, teaching tools.
• Travel to AMC lodges and operate 12-passenger vans for participants.

Skills

Youth leadership

Experiential teaching

Collaboration

Diversity & Inclusion

Wilderness safety

CPR/WFR certification

Education

Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences/experiential education

Tools

Wilderness First-Aid/CPR

Job description

This is a long-term seasonal 10-month position (January 4th, 2027, to October 29, 2027)Summary DescriptionAppalachian Mountain Club (AMC) offers an engaging slate of staff-led outdoor experiences for the youth, adults, and families, which promote the appreciation, understanding, enjoyment, and responsible use of natural resources. We provide people of all ages and backgrounds with the skills to enjoy the outdoors and an increased understanding of their connection to the natural world.The Youth Educator will lead educational programs and trips for school and youth groups in grades K through 12. They will also lead occasional trips for families and adults. The Youth Educator is a responsible, energetic individual who is excited to share their knowledge and love of the outdoors with young people. Academic lessons on climate change, forest and watershed ecology, map and compass, geology, weather and climate, outdoor skills, community building, and leadership development are integrated and taught in a nature- and student-centered hiking-based program. The Educator-Guide will lead trips, manage risk, facilitate learning, and act as an interpretive and informational resource to participants and guests, providing high-quality, joyous experiences outdoors. They will work closely with the AMC Maine education staff to deliver quality hands-on, nature-based activities to youth participants around Greenville, Maine. The educator will be responsible for planning and teaching programs in the field and at schools. What you'll be doing:Lead and facilitate single day and multiday programs for youth and families, including: backpacking, hiking, paddling, XC skiing and snowshoeing trips.Implement thematic, place-based environmental education, leadership, and community-building lesson plans that meet the needs of diverse participant populations.Create and foster an inclusive group culture and learning environment among participants and co-workers.Prioritize safety and manage risk of participants in backcountry settings, assessing both environmental and human risk and making decisions that benefit both the group and individual experience.Provide wilderness medical care.Model responsible behavior in the outdoors and Leave No Trace ethics.Work independently or collaboratively on projects including, but not limited to, curriculum development, the creation of teaching tools, and other logistical tasks.Work collaboratively across departments at AMC.Perform logistics functions for the program including issuing, collecting, cleaning, and maintaining gear, preparing teaching supplies, ordering and organizing food, and assisting with gear and supplies inventories.Travel to and be familiar with operations of AMC lodges.Drive 12-passenger vans carrying participants.What we’re looking for:Friendly, outgoing, flexible personality with a commitment and enthusiasm for teaching youthDemonstrated experience leading student/youth groups in the backcountryExperiential teaching experienceCommitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and ability to work with youth across a wide variety of backgrounds and experiencesAbility to effectively collaborate and communicate with co-leaders.Ability to create an emotionally safe and inclusive learning environment, create a positive group culture, and build healthy rapport with youthWilderness First-Aid & CPR certification (WFR preferred) or the ability to obtain certification prior to starting employmentBachelor’s degree with course work in natural sciences, experiential education, or related field, or equivalent work experienceWork requires frequent backcountry travel. Requires ability to hike 6 – 8 miles per day on uneven terrain, carrying a backpack and other equipment up to 40 pounds, in all weather conditionsWillingness to work long hours in mentally and physically demanding conditionsSatisfactory driving record and background check, as verified by state record check21+ years old and ability to obtain DOT medical clearance to drive vehicles strongly preferredRegistered Maine Guide certification or willingness to earnWhat AMC Can Offer YouSalary Range: $18.00/hourWe are committed to equitable compensation practices, and we encourage qualified candidates to apply. The initial salary represents our starting point, and our compensation philosophy is designed to reward and recognize the contributions of our employees as they grow within the organization. External candidates typically begin their journey with us at the starting point of the salary range. The final compensation offer will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills and geographic differential relevant to the position, and will be discussed during the interview process.BenefitsRoom & Board: Dorm-style room for $75/week – meals included, too!Insurance: Available with positions that are 6 months or longer and when working greater than 32 hours per weekRetirement: Voluntary 403(b) ContributionPaid Time Off: earn up to 10 days of paid earned time depending on length of serviceOther Team Member Perks:30% discount on AMC MerchandiseFree Annual AMC Membership4 Free nights at AMC locationsProdeals discounts on equipment & gear and more!To Apply:Please include a resume and cover letter. No phone calls please.AMC welcomes all qualified candidates to apply, and we invite the full participation of all individuals currently underrepresented in the outdoor community. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals from racially and/or ethnically diverse communities, individuals with disabilities, individuals from LGBTQ+ communities, and individuals who experience intersectionality with one or more of these identities.The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger. The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility which serves children, disabled persons, or the elderly to have a criminal background record check performed on their name annually with employment contingent upon satisfactory results.