Jobs Available at Nature Vision
Preschool Associate Teacher
Nature Vision is a non-profit environmental education organization that fosters appreciation and stewardship of our environment by educating and connecting community to the world around us. We envision an inspired and connected culture where everyone makes choices for a sustainable future. Nature Vision provides in-classroom, remote, and outdoor learning programs to ensure that all students receive quality nature connections where they need them the most. We serve over 70,000 Pre-K through 12th grade students each year in King and Snohomish Counties each year.
Nature Vision runs a nine month preschool at Farrel-McWhirter Park in Redmond in partnership with Redmond Parks and Recreation. The school spends 50% of its time indoors, and 50% outdoors. We are looking for a Preschool Associate Teacher to join our vibrant team for the 2024-2025 school year and beyond.
Our mission at Nature Vision Preschool is to provide a nature and play-based experiential learning environment to help foster a sustainable culture in our community. Located in the unique setting of an educational farm and forested park, our preschool program supports the learning and development of our students mentally, emotionally, physically, and socially.
Our teaching is grounded in the philosophies of child-centered, playful learning within an emergent curriculum framework. We follow the natural, seasonal cycles of change in our forests, stream, and meadows as we weave in academic themes of math, language, science, art, music, movement, and environmental education. We work to provide all children with the opportunity to learn about what interests them in ways that are effective and meaningful. By nurturing our students’ independence and self-esteem skills, we pave the way for students to be ready for the next step in their educational journey. For more information including the three classes offered, please visit: https://naturevision.org/preschool.
At Nature Vision, we value:
• Empowerment through stewardship education and practices
• Diversity of staff, partners, and the communities we reach
• Creativity and collaboration within our staff, programs, and partnerships
• Integrity through best business and teaching practices
• Scientifically-accurate program content
• A fun and safe learning environment
Nature Vision is an equal-opportunity employer. As an organization, we are continuing to learn and implement changes to help us better serve our communities of color, practice inclusivity, and combat racial bias and inequity. We highly encourage persons of color, members of marginalized communities, women, non-binary, and LGBTQIA+ individuals to apply.
The Preschool Associate Teacher will have a solid understanding of and background in development of Pre-K environmental education curriculum. They will demonstrate a high level of creativity, thoughtfulness, and flexibility in their position. Our preschool reaches many diverse students in Redmond and our Associate Teacher will have a keen eye for developing culturally responsive, emergent curriculum that can be the most relevant to all students.
Position description
Duties include but are not limited to:
• Teaching and Classroom Management: Teaching all classes alongside Preschool Manager, prep and clean-up of materials in collaboration with Preschool Manager, aiding with classroom management and preschool discipline, maintaining a safe learning environment for students.
• Curriculum: assist with development of preschool curriculum in collaboration with Preschool Manager, modifying and adapting curriculum to meet the needs of the students.
• Families: Developing working relationships with parents to ensure satisfaction.
• Partners: Communicating with City of Redmond staff on day to day operations as needed.
• Recruitment: Appearing with the Preschool Manager at events related to promoting and marketing the Preschool.
• Other duties as assigned
Salary: $22-24 per hour, depending on experience.
Hours: 30 hours per week, part-time, Monday-Friday August 12, 2024-June 13, 2025. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. If candidate would like full-time, other projects at Nature Vision outside of the Preschool can extend the position to 40 hours per week.
Classes/Detailed Hours: Mondays 7:30AM-12:30 PM (Pre-K Discoveries class/prep); Tuesdays 7:30 AM-12:00 PM (Creative Play Class/prep); Wednesdays 7:30 AM-4:00 PM (Pre-K Discoveries and Preschool Explorers classes/prep); Thursdays 7:30 AM-12:00 PM (Creative Play Class/prep); Fridays 7:30 AM-4:00 PM (Pre-K Discoveries class/prep).
Paid time off: 9 paid holidays (set), vacation time accrued at 1.54 hours for every 40 hours worked, and sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 40 hours worked.
Start/End Date: 8/12/24-6/13/25. Position may continue part- or full-time for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond based on performance and available funding. Full-time summer camp work is available as a separate position if desired.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Education or a related field preferred. Bachelor’s degree or higher in Education desired. Experience in Interpretation, Life Science, or related field; combination of education and experience which demonstrates the ability to teach a nature-based preschool program indoors and outdoors with groups of students in varying weather conditions. Must be a US Citizen or resident alien and able to read, speak, and write the English language clearly.
Special Requirements: Must possess a valid Washington State Drivers’ License and have an insured vehicle to drive to school. Must maintain current Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED and First Aid certificates. Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and up to date with COVID-19 vaccines prior to start date. Must be able to load and move up to 50 pounds of equipment with the use of a handcart.
To Apply: Please email cover letter AND resume as a PDF attachment to Ginny Sanchez Ballard, Executive Director (gsanchez@naturevision.org) by April 19 at 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time.
Interviews will take place April 30-May 6th.
Summer Camp Environmental Educators
Nature Vision is a non-profit environmental education organization that fosters appreciation and stewardship of our environment by educating and connecting community to the world around us. We envision an inspired and connected culture where everyone makes choices for a sustainable future. Nature Vision provides in-classroom, remote, and outdoor learning programs to ensure that all students receive quality nature connections where they need them the most. We serve over 70,000 Pre-K through 12th grade students each year in King and Snohomish Counties each year.
Our programming supports the Washington State K-12 Learning Standards and STEM Education and can be easily integrated into schools. Many of our lessons set conceptual foundations and repeat visits help connect one lesson with another. Nature Vision facilitates student access to nature and scientific concepts, thus developing a deep-rooted student interest in making the natural world a necessary and integrated part of daily life.
At Nature Vision, we value:
• Empowerment through stewardship education and practices
• Diversity of staff, partners, and the communities we reach
• Creativity and collaboration within our staff, programs, and partnerships
• Integrity through best business and teaching practices
• Scientifically-accurate program content
• A fun and safe learning environment
Nature Vision is an equal-opportunity employer. As an organization, we are continuing to learn and implement changes to help us better serve our communities of color, practice inclusivity, and combat racial bias and inequity. We highly encourage persons of color, members of marginalized communities, women, non-binary, and LGBTQIA+ individuals to apply.
In summer 2024 Nature Vision will be offering 8 weeks of our popular day camp programs for 6-11 year olds in Redmond, Shoreline, and Sammamish. We are seeking multiple seasonal educators with a high level of creativity, thoughtfulness, and flexibility. Our work reaches many diverse youth in our region and educators must be responsive and relevant to all participants.
Position description
Duties include but are not limited to:
• Teaching outdoor environmental education programming to 6-11 year old campers. Our ratio is 10 campers per Educator.
• Keeping a schedule of assigned sites and arriving to camp on time.
• Responding to emails and phone calls in a timely manner.
• Collaborating on camp curriculum with fellow Educators and Camp Director prior to the start of camps. Curriculum is provided to educators for each topic in advance. Each site has a Camp Director.
• Attending training one week prior to the start of camp.
• Additional tasks as assigned.
Full time position details:
Salary: $19.00-$21.00 per hour, depending on experience. Sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 40 hours worked.
Hours: 40 hours per week preparing for, staffing, and cleaning up after summer camps. June 24-August 23, 2024.
Start/End Date: June 24-August 23, 2024. Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM. Campers are present from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM. Camp training week June 24-28 is mandatory. Ideally available for 8 weeks, but may apply if available for 6 weeks. Positions may have the option of extension as an Educator on a part-time or full-time basis for the 2024-2025 school year, depending upon availability and performance.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and experience in Education, Interpretation, Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, or a related field. Combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to work in classrooms and in the field with diverse groups of students. Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident and able to read, speak, and write the English language clearly. Must pass WA State Patrol criminal records check and a background check in any previous state of residency.
Special Requirements: Must possess a valid Washington State Drivers’ License and have an insured vehicle to drive to school and field sites. Must maintain current Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED and First Aid certificates. Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and up to date with COVID-19 vaccines prior to start date. Must be able to load and move up to 50 pounds of equipment with the use of a handcart.
To Apply: Please email paragraph expressing specific interest in the position AND resume as a PDF attachment to Mike Munro, Education Manager, mmunro@naturevision.org by April 19th at 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time.
Positions will be open until filled. Interviews will take place in March and April.
