Program Educator

Firefly Explorers Nature School; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

Firefly Explorers Nature School is seeking a dependable part-time program educator to lead fully outdoor classes for children ages 0-8 across Suffolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. You will guide small groups through themed hikes, hands-on activities, story time, and take-home crafts while teaching entirely outdoors in all weather.

Experience in outdoor education and a background in Environmental Science or Early Childhood Education are preferred; CPR & First Aid certification is required.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of leading groups of children in outdoor or environmental settings.
• Background in Environmental Science or Early Childhood/Elementary Education.
• Current CPR & First Aid certification is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead classes from start to finish, greeting families and guiding hikes.
• Teach outdoors in all weather, ensuring safety and engagement.
• Implement and adapt seasonal curriculum based on child-led discovery.
• Maintain safety and supervision across trails and learning spaces.
• Use gentle guidance to support social‑emotional development with caregivers present.
• Set up and take down outdoor learning areas and materials.
• Collaborate with the program director on curriculum and scheduling.

Skills

Outdoor group leadership

Child safety supervision

Adaptability to weather

Physical stamina

Education

Environmental Science background

Early Childhood / Elementary Education background

CPR & First Aid certification

Job description

Firefly Explorers is a nature enrichment program on a mission to preserve the magic of childhood outdoors. We offer fully outdoor classes for children ages 0-8 in Suffolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. Our classes connect young learners to the natural world through exploration, seasonal rhythms, hands‑on learning, and joyful time together outdoors in a safe, nurturing environment.

Position Overview

We are seeking a dependable and passionate part-time program educator to assist in leading our fully outdoor classes. Our classes serve children ages 0-8 across Suffolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. We follow a seasonal curriculum built around how local plants and animals change through the year to connect our students with what is happening in the natural world around them. You will guide small groups of 10-12 children & their caregivers through themed hikes, hands‑on activities, story time, and take-home crafts.

Key Responsibilities

• Class Facilitation: Lead classes from start to finish — greeting families, guiding the hikes, facilitating hands‑on nature activities and story time, and closing out the day — creating a warm, safe, and joyful experience for every child.
• Teach Outdoors: Teach entirely outdoors in all kinds of weather and across the seasons, keeping the group safe, comfortable, and engaged.
• Curriculum Implementation: Bring our seasonal curriculum to life while following the children's curiosity — adapting activities to child‑led discovery and the dynamics of each group.
• Safety & Supervision: Maintain continuous supervision of your group across trails and gathering areas; assess the environment for safety and handle first‑aid needs as they arise.
• Group Management: Use gentle, positive guidance to support children's social‑emotional growth, peer interactions, and smooth transitions through the class rhythm. Interact and partner alongside caregivers & parents who attend class to manage and support students.
• Setup & Take down: Prepare, arrange, and reset outdoor learning areas and materials before and after each class.
• Team Collaboration: Meet with and check in regularly with the program director on curriculum, class needs, and scheduling.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: 1-2 years leading groups of children in an outdoor, nature, or environmental education setting.
• Education/Background: Coursework or background in Environmental Science, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Environmental Education, or related field.
• Outdoor Adaptability: Comfortable leading a group fully outdoors in all kinds of weather and across seasons.
• Physical: Able to hike uneven park trails with children, sit on the ground, and lift up to 40 pounds.
• Certifications: Current CPR & First Aid certification (required).

Compensation Information

Part‑time, 5-12 hours per week; days of the week vary; all locations: Suffolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach; pay starting at $16/hour.