Ranch Naturalist

RANCH NATURALIST

Walker Creek Ranch Outdoor Education School and Conference Center

153 days- 10 months (Starts September 2025)

Walker Creek Ranch is located outside of Petaluma in West Marin County on 1700 Acres of beautiful ranch land and is owned and operated by the Marin County Office of Education. The ranch offers four- and five-day residential environmental education programs tailored toward 5th and 6th grade students. The outdoor school is dedicated to providing equitable, inclusive, and quality educational experiences for students and teachers that inspire appreciation and stewardship of the natural world.

BENEFITS: Classified employees receive a comprehensive benefit package which includes participation in one of six health plans in addition to paid dental, vision, life insurance, paid sick leave, vacation, and holidays. Membership in Social Security and the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) is required. Seasonal housing may be provided.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Interprets the environment either in the classroom or outdoors (trail and garden), reinforcing instruction in natural science, ecology, conservation and environmental education, leadership and interpersonal skills, community living processes, early California history, and geography.

2. Interacts with students in their outdoor training activities, encouraging the learning process, observing progress, and sharing observations with program leader and classroom teachers.

3. Participates in curriculum and activities planning, staff meetings and conferences.

4. Assists in the health and safety activities of the Walker Creek Ranch Outdoor Education Program.

5. Gives guidance to and assists Cabin Leaders and Naturalist Interns in their assigned activities, assuring equitable treatment of all students.

6. Assists in operation of kitchen, dining room, supervising set-ups and clean-ups.

7. Assists in the organization and execution of recreational and evening activities.

8. Performs other duties as assigned requiring essentially the same effort, skill and responsibility when program requirements are changed or modified.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS:Any combination of education, training, and/or experience which demonstrates ability to perform the duties as described. A typical career pathway would include graduation from High School or equivalent and study in the natural sciences equivalent to one year of College-level work. Positions in this class are required to possess and maintain a valid California driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· Environmental education curriculum and California 5th/6th grade Science standards

· Proper lifting techniques;

SKILLS:

· Management of students in an outdoor education residential program, including small and large groups;

ABILITY TO:

· Speak and write effectively;

· Work cooperatively with school personnel, students, staff and guests;

· Utilize sound judgment and problem solving skill;

· Plan and facilitate recreational, team-building, and environmental education activities;

· Facilitate conflict resolution between students and foster a safe learning environment;

· Implement the natural history interpretative curriculum of the Walker Creek Ranch Outdoor Education program;

· Us a variety of instructional techniques and strategies;

· Administer First Aid and CPR;

· Maintain and improve professional skills and knowledge, applying training information to on-the-job work activities;

· Be flexible and receptive to change.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

· Regularly required to talk and hear;

· Uses hands to finger, handle, or feel;

· Reaches with hands and arms;

· Frequently required to bend over, grasp, reach overhead, kneel, crouch, stoop, twist, climb, balance or sit;

· Continually required to stand and walk on uneven terrain, both uphill, and downhill;

· Frequently lifts , carries, or moves up to 25 pounds;

· Occasionally lifts or carries up to 50 pounds;

· Possesses sufficient stamina necessary to perform physical tasks;

· Vision abilities required include close, color, and night vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENTS:

· Regularly works in outdoor environmental conditions with exposure to heat, cold, wind, and/ or rain;

· Occasional exposure to plant or animal materials which may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction;

· Infrequent exposure to livestock or other animals in a natural setting where caution and/or avoidance are the preferred interaction.

TO APPLY:submit the following documents online at www.edjoin.org:

· Three letters of recommendation (preferred not required)

· Letter of interest

· Current resume

SELECTION PROCEDURES:

The multilevel selection process may consist of an application screening process, reference checks, assessment activities, interviews and presentations. Those candidates with the most relevant and suitable background will be invited to participate in the process.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday May 4th ANTICIPATED INTERVIEWS: Friday May 16th

In compliance with the Immigration Control and Reform Act of 1986, the Marin County Office of Education requires all new employees to produce certain documents to verify their identity and right to work in the United States. Such documents may include, among others, U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, Valid Driver's License, and Social Security Card.

The Marin County Office of Education prohibits discrimination against and/or harassment of employees and job applicants on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, gender, sex, or sexual orientation in any of its policies, procedures or practices in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $26.06 - $33.26 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $26 - $33