Forest School at Alfred Almond Central School is a one day per week, immersive, nature-based learning program that serves students in K-2nd grade. The Forest School Outreach Instructor will lead a morning class and an afternoon class on Thursdays at the school’s forest site, along with the classroom teacher. Learn more about our Forest School programs at .
The primary goal of the Outreach Instructor for Alfred Almond Forest School is to ensure the implementation of quality programs that are both physically and emotionally safe for all students, while covering session topics that help meet school curriculum and New York State Standards where applicable. The ideal candidate will be the spark that ignites a lifelong passion and love for the natural world for any age group. This role helps foster a child-led, innovative, and creative environment with opportunities for free play and curiosity building explorations.
The Forest School Instructor has a positive attitude, an unassailable work ethic, and cheerfully embraces teaching in all weather conditions. This role may have other work opportunities onsite at the Cumming Nature Center through the entire year, including Weekend Interpretation, Summer Camps, Public School Programs, and Nature Based Birthday Parties, among other things.
The Forest School Instructor works closely with the Manager of Forest Schools and Nature-based Learning at RMSC Cumming Nature Center team to achieve desired outcomes. This position will also require some program related site maintenance, care of materials, driving to and from Alfred Almond Central School once a week, as well as the ability to work independently.
The schedule for this role is for one day a week on Thursdays from September 24, 2026 through June 17, 2027. Work will primarily take place at Alfred Almond Central School, but regular travel to the nature center for training and planning is required. Benefits include paid time off (PTO), paid holidays based on schedule, New York State Sick Leave, and paid training.
Work schedule takes place primarily on weekdays during business hours. Management retains the right to alter work schedules as needed to meet the needs of the organization.
RMSC CORE VALUES
- Supports the RMSC Core Values of Community, Innovation, Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Integrity
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Field Instruction: environmental topics, outdoor skills, and imaginative play.
- Care and management of children, including risk assessment
- Demonstrating leadership, outdoor skills, and a positive and nurturing relationship with the natural world.
- Logistics related to education programming, including creating session plans, completing reflection forms, and accomplishing other tasks related to program operations
- Other duties as assigned
COMPETENCIES
Informational/Technical:
Appropriate use of radios, internet, intranet, email (GSuite), payroll system, phone system, and computer systems. Familiarity of New York State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and curriculum.
Communication:
Ability to communicate effectively, politely, professionally, and comfortably with children, their teachers, their parents, and other school administrators and staff.
Ability to complete written session planning forms, paperwork, and other written communications clearly and efficiently.
Decision Making and Reasoning Ability:
Must be highly dependable, organized, and able to adapt to changing demands and environments; the ability to apply common sense and understanding to carry out instructions delivered in written or verbal form. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to respond to, assess and take appropriate action during emergency situations.
Time Management:
Ability to set priorities and to meet established deadlines without direct supervision. Ability to effectively transition between multiple duties. Ability to take initiative and identify projects in need of completion.
QUALIFICATIONS
High School diploma or equivalent and a minimum of two years of demonstrated success in a forest school, nature-based learning, or outdoor education teaching position required. Preferred qualifications include an Associates Degree or higher in early childhood education, and/or Forest School or Nature-based Learning Certification. CPR and first aid certification required, or a willingness to become certified.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to support individuals with disabilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk up to 1 mile on uneven and wooded terrain. The employee is regularly required to stand; bend; climb; handle objects and tools; reach with hands and arms; stoop; kneel; and crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to50 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of the job, the noise level in the work environment is variable and can be elevated at times. The majority of work is performed outdoors in any/all weather conditions.
RMSC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. This policy expressly prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic predisposition, gender identity or expression, carrier status, domestic violence victim status, veteran status, or status as a member of any other protected group or activity.
Pay: $18.00 - $19.50 per hour
Work Location: In person
