Are you passionate about nature & science?
Do you enjoy teaching children?
Do you have strong communication and collaboration skills?
Are you committed to creating welcoming spaces for people of all backgrounds?
Job Appointment : This is a seasonal Community Service Aide (CSA) II position with a maximum of 1,400 hours in a calendar year, which averages to 26 hours per week.
Typical Schedule : This position is year-round and fluctuates seasonally. More hours and outdoor time are required in the busy seasons. During the slower months, we spend more time in the office planning, preparing, and evaluating programs.
During the busy teaching months (October, November, March, April, May, June, July, August) :
- Approximately 15-35 hours a week
- Between the hours of 8am-4pm
- Monday – Friday. We have staff meetings on Monday and teach outdoors Tuesday – Friday.
- Half of the time is spent outdoors teaching in all weather, including cold and rain. Half of the time is spent in the office planning, preparing, and evaluating programs.
- Some flexibility in schedule determination. Availability is REQUIRED for staff meetings (currently Mondays 9 am - 12 noon) and at least 2 other days per week to lead programs (at least 9 am - 1 pm).
During the slower months ( December, January, February, September) :
Approximately10 – 25 hours a weekBetween the hours of 8am – 4pm; flexible hours.Flexible workdays Monday – Friday.Primarily office based with some field work.Work Location :
In-person nature education programs can take place at any Portland Park or natural area.Staff meetings, program planning and evaluation takes place at the PP&R Environmental Education office at 6433 NE Tillamook Street, Portland, OR 97213.Benefit : This position has limited benefits eligibility based on hours worked. Please review our benefit tab for more information.
Application Material : Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to respond to the supplemental questions and attach a resume.
Position Summary :
We are hiring a Nature Educator to join the Nature Education Programs (NEP) team within the Environmental Education department of Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R). Nature Educators lead hands-on, exploration-based field trips for schools and organizations in the Portland area. In this role, you will conduct outdoor educational programs that connect children and families to nature and promote environmental stewardship. The position requires strong communication skills, a passion for nature education, and the ability to engage with diverse youth and their families.
Programs You Will Help Lead :
Field Trips : Lead science-based field trips focused on amphibians, birds, bees, bugs, fungi, habitats, geology, plants, and trees. We serve a variety of pre-K, elementary, middle, and high schools, prioritizing Title I schools and culturally specific organizations. For more details, visit our website : School Field Trips and Nature Walks | .Ladybug Nature Walks : Guide young children (ages 2-6) and their caregivers on gentle nature hikes. These walks introduce early science concepts, vocabulary, exploration tools, and encourage empathy and gentleness in nature. Educators incorporate play, imagination, and child-led exploration.We prioritize equity and access to nature! Approximately 60% of our programs are conducted with Title I Schools, Head Start preschools, and culturally specific organizations. Additionally, about 40% of our programs over the past year were bilingual in English and Spanish or English and Russian. We seek a Nature Educator who is passionate about creating welcoming learning environments for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Our team consists of one full-time coordinator and a small group of year-round, part-time Nature Educators. We are a diverse team committed to serving all Portland communities through thoughtful and intentional programming. We foster a work environment that encourages open communication about our capacities, needs, curiosities, and areas for growth. Our team is collaborative, humorous, passionate, and playful.
What you'll get to do :
Develop, revise, and deliver curriculumabout local species, ecology, geology, and parks.Teach children, community groups, and families about nature through hands-on outdoor programs.Interpret scientific and technical information from ecologists and other subject matter experts for a wide range of educational levels.Participate in professional development including trainings, job shadows, and skill shares.Demonstrate your ongoing curiosity through independent reading, research, and trainings about topics we teach. Expect to learn a lot very quickly.Ensure the safety of youth by identifying safety hazards and adhering to safety standards.Practice patience and effective behavior management skills to create a positive group dynamic.Manage program supplies by moving, loading, cleaning, and conducting inventory on a daily and weekly basis.Participate in community outreach efforts, including tabling at community events.Perform administrative tasks, including filling out reports and evaluations to track progress and outcomes.Model curiosity and playfulness while getting your hands dirty outdoors teaching place-based science.Participate in weekly meetings and contribute your energy and ideas.Collaborate with fellow educators to cultivate a positive work culture and streamline organizational processes.Contribute to a team culture of continuous growth through solutions-oriented conversations that embrace constructive feedback and complex topics.Contribute to a culture of inclusion, justice and equity that values our diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.Connect with and establish positive relations with a wide diversity of audiences, including community partners, parents, teachers, and chaperones.Drive or Travelto parks and natural areas around Portland in a City of Portland vehicle.Adapt to changing weather, park conditions, and student needs.Utilize an understanding of different learning styles, teaching techniques, and ways of knowing.About the Bureau :
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is committed to the overall Citywide vision that race will have no detrimental effect on people of color, refugee, and immigrant communities in accessing our parks and natural areas, or from the benefit of our services. We recognize, understand, and encourage celebration of the differences that surround us. Diversity and equity are vital to PP&R’s ideals and values. The City of Portland, Oregon is a growing and diverse city of 650,000 residents, nearly 20% of whom speak languages other than English at home. PP&R values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization and with the public. PP&R encourages applications from candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities with diverse racial, ethnic, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. Although not required, PP&R encourages candidates that can fluently speak another language to include that information in their application materials. Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Virtual Zoom Meet & Greet Opportunity
Come meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter! We'll be talking about the position duties and responsibilities, day to day life in the role, review the announcement, discuss how to apply, and answer questions you may have about the position.
View Recording Here :
Passcode : P2x9.^bR
Have a question?
Contact Information :
TroyLynn Craft
Senior Recruiter
The following minimum qualifications are required for this position :
Ability to teach and lead students, ranging from toddler through adult learners, in outdoor educational settings.Ability to connect participants of all ages with Portland parks, the plants and animals that inhabit them, and the importance of caring for the environment, while utilizing effective teaching strategies and techniques to ensure a positive and educational experience.Ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals from a variety of backgrounds while facilitating inclusive participation in programs and activities, employing strategies that promote cross-cultural communication with thoughtful curiosity and humility to create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for all, particularly those from historically underserved communities.Knowledge of standard office operating procedures, such as basic computer usage, typing, and filing.Applicants must also possess :
A valid state driver's license and an acceptable driving recordThe ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Some of this work may be on uneven terrain, including soft surface trails, meadows, hills, and work in shallow ponds and creeks.Have the ability to lift up to 30 lbs.Have the ability to obtain a First Aid / CPR Certification within 6 months of hireAlthough not required, preferred qualifications include :
Speak one of the following languages : Spanish, Russian, Somali, Chinese, or Vietnamese.Knowledge of local ecology, plants, animals and geology.STEP 1 : Apply online between December 23, 2024 - January 13, 2025
Required Application Materials : ResumeAnswer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)Optional Application Materials :
If you would like to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your Veteran documents (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.) by the closing date of the recruitment.Application Tips :
Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and / or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.Your résumé should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.How We Determine Pay : The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.Do not attach any additional documents.Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.You may use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please be sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting. We encourage using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process.E-mailed and / or faxed applications will not be accepted.Step 2 : Minimum Qualification Evaluation : Week of January 13, 2025
An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions, weighted 100%.Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and / or final selection.Step 3 : Establishment of Eligible List : Week of January 20, 2025
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.Step 4 : Selection (Interview) : March
Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.Step 5 : Offer of Employment
Step 6 : Start Date :
A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.Timeline is approximate and subject to change. Click here for additional information regarding the following :City of Portland Core ValuesRecruitment Process - Work StatusEqual Employment OpportunityVeteran PreferenceADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations
