Youth Educator

 Youth Educator

Season Dates: January 6-October 31, 2025

Location: Greenville, ME

Summary Description

Appalachian 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 the Maine Woods Explorer program through the Natural Resource Education Center (NREC) providing quality hands-on, nature-based activities to participants ages 8-12 years old 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 participant

What we’re looking for:

• Friendly, outgoing, flexible personality with a commitment and enthusiasm for teaching youth
• Demonstrated experience leading student/youth groups in the backcountry
• Experiential teaching experience
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and ability to work with youth across a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences
• Ability 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 youth
• Wilderness First-Aid & CPR certification (WFR preferred) or the ability to obtain certification prior to starting employment
• Bachelor’s degree with course work in natural sciences, experiential education, or related field, or equivalent work experience
• Work 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 conditions
• Willingness to work long hours in mentally and physically demanding conditions
• Satisfactory driving record and background check, as verified by state record check
• 21+ years old and ability to obtain DOT medical clearance to drive vehicles strongly preferred
• Registered Maine Guide certification or willingness to earn

What AMC Can Offer You

Salary Range: $18.00 p/hr

We 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.

Benefits

• Room & Board: Dorm-style room for $45/week – meals included, too!
• Insurance: Available with positions that are 6 months or longer and when working greater than 32 hours per week
• Retirement: Voluntary 403(b) Contribution
• Paid Time Off: earn up to 10 days of paid earned time depending on length of service

Other Team Member Perks:

• 30% discount on AMC Merchandise
•  Free Annual AMC Membership
• 4 Free nights at AMC locations
• Prodeals 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