Seasonal Educator
Join our team! As part of the Greenway Trust’s Education team, you will have the opportunity to help equip and inspire youth to be curious, compassionate stewards of nature. During the school year, the Educators deliver classroom lessons, field study trips, and stewardship events (e.g., planting trees or removing non-native weeds) for 4th-8th grade students. Curriculum topics include forest ecosystems and salmon, and field trip sites include Lake Sammamish State Park and Tiger Mountain State Forest. During the summer, the Educators co-lead the Youth Engaged in Sustainable Systems (YESS) high school internship in either Highline School District (Burien) or Riverview School District (Carnation). Educators teach classroom- and field-based lessons at a variety of sites with the YESS student interns.
The successful Educator will demonstrate a passion for helping young people — especially those from communities that are underrepresented in environmental fields and/or new to environmental topics — make personal positive connections with nature. This position is ideal for an outgoing individual with a strong environmental education background who enjoys working outdoors in variable weather. Applicants may have experience leading groups of students in outdoor settings, teaching in a classroom setting, or performing ecological restoration work.
Candidates should expect to discuss their experience incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into their work or personal ethic. Every Greenway Trust employee plays an active part in carrying out our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization and beyond.
Reports to: Education Program Manager
Salary & Benefits: $21.00 hourly. Benefits for full-time seasonal employees include a $250 gear stipend, paid sick time (accruing at one hour per 40 hours), worker’s compensation coverage, optional participation in an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) ($200 monthly contributed by the Greenway Trust), participation in HealthiestYou program, and optional participation in a 403(b)-retirement plan. This position is not eligible for paid time off including holiday pay.
Schedule: Full-time, 9-month seasonal, non-exempt position (February 28 to November 17, 2023). The schedule is typically Monday to Friday with periodic evening and Saturday events. Estimated 20/80 office/field time.
Location: The Greenway Trust has a hybrid model that combines both remote and in-person work. This position will be based at the Greenway Trust’s Field Office (1980 NW Sammamish Rd., Issaquah, WA 98027) with the expectation of a schedule of in-person, in-office, and remote workdays. This position requires a reliable personal vehicle for travel to schools and field trip sites around King County as well as the Greenway Trust’s Seattle office.
Vehicles and Mileage Reimbursement: The Educators will have access to a Greenway vehicle for work purposes; a valid driver’s license, insurable driving record, and completion of internal training is required to use any Greenway vehicle. When usage of a personal vehicle is required (e.g., travel to schools), Educators are reimbursed at the federal reimbursement rate for mileage.
Gear & Equipment:
- Provided gear: Long- and short-sleeved shirts and a hat.
- Loaned gear and equipment: Rain gear (overalls and jacket), personal protective equipment (e.g., work gloves, first aid kit), laptop computer, and cell phone.
- Educators are expected to provide personal gear, including sturdy hiking shoes and a backpack.
- Gear stipend: To help seasonal staff purchase or replace personal gear needed to be successful in the field, the Greenway Trust provides a $250 gear stipend. This allows individual seasonal staff members to prioritize what they want to purchase based on the gear they already have.
COVID Requirements: Vaccination requirements are in place for Greenway Trust staff.
How to Apply: Send a resume and cover letter explaining your interest and capabilities to apply@mtsgreenway.org. Your cover letter should not exceed two pages, and should provide examples of the following:
- Your ability to facilitate activities for groups of students between 10 and 18 years old.
- Your experience mentoring teens.
- Your experience with or commitment to connecting historically underrepresented communities with nature.
Finalists will be asked to provide three references.
ABOUT THE MOUNTAINS TO SOUND GREENWAY TRUST
The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust works to steward a landscape that stretches 100 miles from the shores of Puget Sound, across the Cascade Mountains, to Central Washington. The Greenway Trust also coordinates the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area (NHA), which honors the historical and cultural significance of this place and helps to preserve and celebrate its living heritage. The Education Program contributes to the goals of the NHA by engaging 4th-12th grade students in meaningful environmental education programs that equip them with knowledge, skills and inspiration needed to be curious, caring stewards of nature, and that may lead them to future careers in conservation.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
We believe that when we are connected to nature, our lives are better. We are healthier, happier, and our communities are stronger. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Greenway Trust because we want to better reflect the diverse communities that make up the Greenway NHA, because we believe that equity and inclusion are vital to our mission, and because we want to do our part to create a more just society. We are committed to creating lasting structural changes internally in our workplace and externally in the communities we serve.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER
The Greenway Trust is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, ancestry, genetic information, use of a service animal, honorably discharged veteran, military status, political ideology, personal appearance, family responsibilities, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law. Each person is evaluated on the basis of personal aptitude and merit.