Pay Status: Nonexempt
Expected Hours: 32-40 hours a week
Dates of Employment: April 13, 2020 to May 15, 2020
Reports To: Education Programs Manager
Housing Available: Yes (staff are not required to live on campus)
Number of Positions Available: 7

At Keystone Science School, we believe that the power of inspiring curiosity and critical thinking, through the lens of science, changes lives and strengthens communities. We create future leaders who can problem solve and work together in an ever-evolving world and workplace environment.

Located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Keystone Science School’s historic campus serves as base camp for our diverse suite of inquiry-based learning programs. We combine hands-on science education with outdoor adventure to create engaging experiences for our students. At KSS, we change lives, we bring fun and laughter to everything we do, we care about each other and those we serve, we strive for excellence, we offer competitive compensation and generous benefits, and we are committed to serving students from diverse backgrounds. We’re proud to be Summit County’s #1 Best Non-Profit and #2 Best Place to Work (2019)! Visit KeystoneScienceSchool.org to learn more!

Program Overview and Job Summary
KSS offers a range of programs that balance hands-on science activities, field-based exploration, and adventure programming. Curriculum themes include but are not limited to: environmental science (aquatic ecology, forest ecology, earth science, snow studies, winter ecology, weather and climate), leadership, community building, STEM, outdoor skills, and health. The Education Programs team offers residential and day field trips for visiting school groups, workshops, teacher trainings, and retreats. Programs are 1-7 days in length (generally 3 days), and may be held on-campus, at an off-site facility, or at a camping-based location.

The Spring Instructor is a seasonal position responsible for teaching the wide variety of curricula options offered by KSS. Spring Instructors are responsible for lesson planning and developing curriculum for incoming schools. They are also responsible for the facilitation of meals, evening programs, and the completion of manual labor tasks on a rotating basis. It is the responsibility of Spring Instructors to facilitate programs within the other areas of KSS.

Main areas of focus:

• 60% Teaching (includes Lead Instructor duties);
• 15% Lesson planning and curriculum development;
• 25% Support staff duties (e.g. facilitation of meals, evening programs, and completion of manual labor tasks);

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and teach grade appropriate curricula;
• Supervise and teach a group of up to 13 K-12 students;
• Supervise and maintain high standards of health and safety, and follow Risk Management policies in all activities;
• Facilitate team, leadership, and character building activities;
• Lead Instructor duties include, but are not limited to: development of curriculum in collaboration with Group Lead Contacts, development of pre-visit activities, communication of curriculum to KSS Instructor team, serve as a liaison between Groups and KSS, and all general lesson,activity, and basic logistic planning;
• Program facilitation includes ‘support staff’ duties such as campus, re-set, meal set-up and clean-up and on-call responsibilities.
• Maintain storage of all KSS equipment, including teaching materials, gear, keys, toys, etc.;
• Attend and help facilitate all staff meetings and trainings as assigned;
• Participate in and pass Van Driver Training, and drive program participants in a 15-passenger van;
• Abide by and uphold the policies and procedures set forth by KSS;
• Facilitate and provide support for a wide variety of KSS programs and activities;
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – Minimum Requirements

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including days, nights, and weekends;
• Have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with children;
• Have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with people with diverse backgrounds, opinions, beliefs, abilities, and experience;
• Proven ability to creatively develop science and education curricula and lesson plans;
• Ability to adapt instruction and lessons to meet a wide variety of learners utilizing different educational philosophies;
• Ability to be creative, adaptable, and flexible while managing children in a variety of situations;
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals and educational methods;
• Strong work ethic and will work until the job is complete;
• Motivation to contribute positively to the KSS at-large community;
• Interpret a variety of instructions provided in written or verbal form;
• Multi-task efficiently while managing a high-volume workload in a fast-paced, changing environment;
• Superior customer service skills, with the ability to be creative and think ‘outside the box’;
• Strong command of communication, writing, and organizational skills;
• Ability to work in a busy environment with many distractions;
• Write reports, correspondence, and lesson plans with attention to detail.

Required Education, Experience, and Certifications

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree;
• Minimum of 6 months of experience teaching students in an outdoor or classroom setting;
• Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certifications, from an approved vendor, or the ability to obtain before the first day of employment;
• Age 21+ with a minimum of 5 years driving experience, excellent driving record, and a valid driver’s license;
• Must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive background check.

Preferred Skillsets

• Experience teaching students in an outdoor setting;
• Experience with risk management practices of the outdoor and environmental education industry;
• Desired computer skills include proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.);
• Ability to communicate verbally and teach in Spanish.

Travel Expectations
Limited travel throughout the state of Colorado.

Physical Demands of this Position
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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or hold objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee often stands for up to 8 hours per day, but may be required to stand longer in emergency situations. The employee must be able to lift and carry at least 40 pounds for an extended duration. The employee is frequently required to travel for extended periods over rugged terrain. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires the employee to work in close contact with their teammates and children. The office space is small and the employee must have the ability to stay focused while others are working in close proximity. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but varies seasonally due to programs and staffing on campus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee often works outside and drives vehicles in various weather conditions.

Compensation
Starting at $12/hour. Additional compensation is offered to candidates with higher level medical certifications (WFR, W-EMT), master’s degree or teaching certification, and Spanish speaking ability. Housing and meals are available at a rate of $50/month.

Application Instructions
Please submit the Employment Application found at KeystoneScienceSchool.org/Employment. Applications require a cover letter, resume, and 3 references. In your cover letter, please address your philosophy of education, and describe how your previous experiences have prepared you for this position. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. For more information, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity
Keystone Science School is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, religion, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.