Summer Portals - Instructor in Environmental Science

Hotchkiss Brand; Lakeville (CT); On-site; USD 1,200 - 2,400; Full time

Job summary

The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT is seeking an Environmental Science Instructor for the Summer Portals program. You will collaborate with the Program Director to deliver a two-week field- and lab-based curriculum for rising 6th–9th grade students, using 800+ acres of grounds and campus facilities.

Responsibilities include lesson planning, guiding student projects, maintaining field notebooks, and providing timely progress assessments.

Qualifications

• A four-year College Degree is required.
• Qualified applicants will have demonstrated successful teaching and have prior experience with teaching Environmental Science.
• Possess excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Possess strong communication skills that effectively promote inclusive and respectful behavior amongst students and colleagues.
• Friendly attitude and approachable demeanor with compassion, empathy, and patience for students.

Responsibilities

• In advance of Program dates, meet with the Program Director to review the curriculum and syllabus.
• Organize program educational material and support lesson planning.
• Guide and assess students, helping them develop field notebooks and data analyses.
• Supervise collaborative classroom practices and provide feedback.
• Instruct students and foster safe, inclusive, and engaging field experiences.
• Mentor a Summer Fellow and assist with final program project presentations.
• Participate in Summer Portals orientation and mandated trainings.

Skills

Teaching experience

Time management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Education

Four-year college degree

Job description

Summer Portals - Instructor in Environmental Science

Job Category: Summer Portals

Requisition Number: SUMME001510

• Posted : September 25, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

The Hotchkiss School
Lakeville, CT 06039, USA

Description

Department: Summer Portals
FLSA: Exempt
Reports to: Program Director – Environmental Science

Dates: June 27, 2027 - July 9, 2027 – Two-Week Program

Class Schedule: 9:00 a.m.-Noon; 1:30 p.m.-3:15 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.);

Sat. 7/3, 9:00 a.m. -Noon

Summer Portals at Hotchkiss School includes a wide variety of academic and recreational offerings to rising 6 th through 9 th grade students, many of whom are experiencing a residential learning experience for the first time. Students come to Summer Portals from diverse nationalities and cultures, seeking academic enrichment and exploration.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In the Environmental Science Program, Instructors collaborate with the Program Director to develop and implement a two-week field- and lab-based curriculum that introduces students to key concepts and practices of environmental science. Students will explore and conduct hands-on research using Hotchkiss’ 800-plus acres of woods, pastures, streams and lakes, in addition to our facilities at Fairfield Farm and the Griswold Science Building. Through the program, Instructors will guide the developing understanding of ecological processes as they operate in New England and beyond, deepening students’ understanding of the importance of environmental stewardship. Field and lab-based experiences will teach students about the various tools and instrumentation needed to study field biology and environmental science supporting their acquisition of skills and knowledge.

The Hotchkiss School is eager to accept applications from individuals who are excited to support an inclusive and warm working and learning community for students and employees from a wide array of backgrounds and experiences.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• In advance of Program dates, meet with the Program Director to review the curriculum; and syllabus, as well as field and lab-based activities;
• Organize program educational material,
• Support the curriculum and class lesson planning for the program,
• Support and guide students with a key program element, creating and maintaining a field notebook. Field notebooks will include observations, measurements, and drawings while in the field & lab; biological taxa; supportive documentation of ecological experiments and data analysis.
• Instructors will support collaborative classroom practices, supporting problem-solving and the sharing of responsibilities in an equitable manner, allowing students to provide and receive both oral and written constructive feedback and self-evaluation as they apply the scientific method to environmental problems.
• Instruct students by observing their academic level, conducting activities to support their skill development, and helping them explore and collaborate with others.
• Counsel, support, and guide students as needed.
• Identify and communicate with the Program Director, any emergent need that warrants immediate support, ensuring student safety and well-being.
• Portals Faculty are expected to eat communally with students.
• Instructors who receive campus housing and are not full-time Hotchkiss faculty are expected to serve four nights of dorm duty on campus.
• Instructors, along with the Program Director, will supervise and mentor a Summer Fellow who will provide instructional program support.
• Instructors will guide students as they prepare a final program culminating experience, one that demonstrates their understanding of concepts and the confidence gained.
• At the end of the program, Instructors provide a written assessment commenting on each student’s progress, describing their growth, attitude, effort, and achievement. Program directors are responsible for ensuring that the instructors in their program provide comments in a timely manner.
• Participate in Summer Portals faculty orientation, which includes online professional boundaries training in Sexual Harassment Prevention, and CT Department of Children and Families Mandated Reporter Training.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• A four-year College Degree is required.
• Qualified applicants will have demonstrated successful teaching and have prior experience with teaching Environmental Science.
• Possess excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Possess strong communication skills that effectively promote inclusive and respectful behavior amongst students and respectful exchange amongst colleagues.
• Friendly attitude and approachable demeanor that exhibits compassion, empathy, and patience for students.

PHYSICAL WORK CONDITIONS

• Faculty are expected to perform work on campus both in the field and in the classroom setting in the presence of students.
• Must be able to maintain a stationary position and/or traverse while performing essential responsibilities.
• Must be able to communicate and converse as well as distinguish and observe.
• The Hotchkiss School is a tobacco-free and drug-free work environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The essential functions and basic skills have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

The Hotchkiss School is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School is firmly committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and applicants in all phases of the employment process (including recruitment, hiring, assignment, terms, and conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, and termination).

In accordance with applicable law, the School does not discriminate against any individual based on age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

For further information, contact:

Dean of Summer Programs

Director, Center for Global Understanding & Independent Thinking

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.