Summer Teacher Naturalist

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS INSTITUTE AT TREMONT

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

Our Values and Culture

    We create experiential education programs focused on the natural world, knowing such learning and research opportunities are uniquely suited to bring about life changing outcomes in individual passion for learning, sense of worth, and behavior.

    We believe a lost connection with the natural world can be repaired beginning with experiences that take place in the original classroom—the outdoors. We believe such experiences produce cascading results that enrich individual lives, strengthen communities, and empower citizens.

    We celebrate the distinctive setting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) provides as a living laboratory to explore the biodiversity that forms the building blocks of healthy ecosystems, examine past and present human impacts on the land, and navigate questions about how to best support the land that supports us.

    We carry out our mission with both urgency and joy, recognizing that the work of connecting people and nature could not be timelier. 

Our Ideal Applicant

Summer Teacher Naturalists have experience leading outdoor experiences. Whether at an outdoor school, summer camp, or out-of-school time program, a Summer Teacher Naturalist already has experience in facilitating learning experiences outside. They have a working understanding of outdoors safety and the dynamics of group management. They probably already have a bunch of games and songs that they can bust out at a moment’s notice! 

Summer Teacher Naturalists demonstrate curiosity and awe for the natural world. Summer Teacher Naturalists embody the naturalist mindset– learning directly about nature from nature itself. They are curious about the life and phenomena around them, and they have the ability to interpret their own sense of curiosity and wonder for others. They may not already have an understanding of the biodiversity of the Smoky Mountains, but they have spent time outdoors learning and exploring their own local landscapes. 

Summer Teacher Naturalists help create atmospheres of welcome, warmth, and belonging. They seek to understand that one’s prior connections to the natural world are dependent on aspects of identity and demographics; some communities and backgrounds are excluded or disenfranchised from connections with nature. They work to welcome youth into exploration of nature by creating accessible experiences outside that affirm the inner nature-love of all our campers. 

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The following duties are normal for this position and are noted in priority order.  The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this position. 

Summer Camp Programs 

Work in all aspects of implementing summer residential camp programs for youth including developing and facilitating daily outdoor experiences; conducting evening programs like campfires or skit nights; supervising campers in the lodge; possibility of co-leading a backpacking trip; and other summer camp related activities. 

Take a keen interest in the social and emotional development of young people, and work to facilitate social and emotional learning in campers through direct experience and reflection.

Make good decisions regarding personal and participant safety, anticipate problems, and act within the scope of first aid training. 

Tremont Community 

Strive to maintain an atmosphere of inclusion, value diversity, and actively promote equity.

Contribute to our caring community by taking care to set-up, clean, and maintain program spaces as needed for the programs.

Communicate needs and concerns openly and clearly. 

Maintain a positive attitude and energy to accomplish individual and collaborative projects. 

Model effective communication and a positive attitude with co-workers and participants.

Leadership and Growth

Serve in a leadership capacity for summer interns.

Prioritizes personal and professional growth throughout the summer season. 

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.

Assists with facility setup, cleanup, and maintenance (buildings/equipment/trails).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Education: 

Seeking a minimum of two years of college in a related degree (or commensurate experience). Must have experience and training in environmental education, natural history (or related fields), plus experience working with children and/or young adults in outdoor educational settings. Summer camp experience is a plus. 

Physical Ability: Perform physical activity relating to programs/activities, which may include hiking in mountainous terrain, climbing steep trails, climbing rocks/boulders, participating in games/recreational activities, carrying backpacks, moving dining tables, and lifting/moving heavy materials. Must be able to hike while carrying a pack up to 10 miles in a day.

HOUSING REQUIREMENTS

Position requires employees to reside on-premises of Institute, with residence and utilities provided by the Institute.   

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.

The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, GSMIT will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.