Environmental Educator
Organization Description:
Since 1981, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Parks Conservancy) has served as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, collaborating with the Presidio Trust, partners, donors, and the community to support the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The GGNRA stretches across three Bay Area counties north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge and includes iconic places such as Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, Mori Point, Lands End, and the Presidio of San Francisco.
The Parks Conservancy engages at the intersection of national park sites, local communities, social justice, and climate resilience. Collaborating with partners, our staff are dedicated to enhancing public awareness and providing volunteer and educational opportunities in the parks. We are park builders, caretakers, ambassadors and educators, all working to connect people to parks in support of our vision Parks for All Forever. Join us.
Department Description:
Conservancy Youth Programs encourage new generations to become bold leaders for thriving parks, healthy communities, and a more environmentally just society. We prioritize individuals, groups, and communities that national parks and conservation organizations have failed to previously engage. Our programs focus on learning about social and environmental issues and building leadership skills that can contribute to positive change. Our department is located at the Crissy Field Center in the Presidio, San Francisco.
Position Overview:
The term for this position is Sept 21st, 2026 to August 6th, 2027.
The Environmental Educator is responsible for supporting the facilitation of the Conservancy’s youth programs. These programs engage local youth through park- and community-based learning, leadership development, and workforce development. Under supervision of the Conservancy’s Youth Programs Managers and Directors, the Environmental Educator facilitates activities centering around environmental science, environmental justice, service learning, outdoor experiences, visual art, wellness, and leadership development. Programs take place at the Crissy Field Center, in parks, at schools, and in the communities of the youth we serve.
During the school year, which runs from September through May, Environmental Educators support multiple programs:
- School and Community Group Programs serve youth in schools and community groups through curriculum-based programs in parks and communities, primarily during school days and occasionally weekends. These include:
- High School Environmental Science, Service-Learning, Cultural History, and Social Justice programs
- Middle School Education and Leadership programs
- Community Group Park-Based partnership programs
- Youth Leadership Programs:
- Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders (I-YEL): a high school leadership program for youth attending San Francisco and Marin public schools, in which young adults learn the skills necessary to be stronger leaders in their community through project management, community involvement, and outdoor trips. I-YEL primarily takes place during out of school time hours, including evenings and weekends.
During the summer (June-August), Environmental Educators will support one or more of the following Youth Leadership programs:
- Urban Trailblazers (UTB) middle school program
- Linking Individuals to their Natural Communities (LINC) high school program
- Queer Belonging Backpacking Adventure (QBBA)-a two-week long backpacking field studies course for queer and trans youth of color and allies.
- Other Youth Leadership Program TBD
For the 2026-2027 program year, the department will be hiring two (2) Environmental Educators. These educators would work with the School and Community Group Programs team during the school year and with the UTB program in the summer. At times, educators will be scheduled to support programs outside their primary program areas, including supporting overnight trips for the I-YEL program.
During the school year, the Environmental Educator typically works a Monday-Friday or a Tuesday– Saturday schedule, depending on programming needs. Work days are 8 hours long, and typically fall between the hours of 8:30am and 5:00 pm or 11:00am and 7:30pm, depending on the seasonal program focus. During the summer, the Environmental Educator typically works a Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm schedule. There is the possibility of having daily schedules shifted to accommodate programming needs. The Environmental Educator is expected to support with the facilitation of 3 or more overnight camping trips each year.
The Environmental Educator works primarily in-person and is based at the Crissy Field Center in the Presidio. Any work from home or other remote work will be limited and will require supervisor approval.
Not having these skills will not disqualify applicants from consideration.
Reports To: The Environmental Educator reports to one of the Youth Programs Managers.
Key Responsibilities:
This is an education and youth development position that includes the instruction and mentorship of youth and program support to the multiple youth-serving programs.
Program Development and Delivery
- Leads youth participants in outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, camping, team-building activities, service learning, and environmental education lessons.
- Delivers project-based learning curriculum for youth.
- Facilitates in-classroom activities and presentations.
- Assists with lesson planning.
- Facilitates overnight camping trips with youth. Assists with program planning for overnight programs.
- Prepares materials for activities. Cleans up after activities.
- Drives work vehicles and is responsible for passenger safety and supervision during transport.
Youth Mentorship and Supervision
- Creates a physically and emotionally safe space for youth to engage in the outdoors
- Supports program managers in developing short-term and long-term goals for youth. Supports youth in developing and completing work plans.
- Models healthy and supportive behavior for youth participants.
- Facilitates activities that support the growth of leadership and career skills for youth participants.
- With guidance from program managers, provides positive and constructive feedback to youth.
Collaboration and Coordination
- Supports program managers in planning and scheduling with program partners.
- Supports program managers in youth participant outreach.
- Supports with program documentation, evaluation, and reporting.
- Supports with program administration and logistics, including using online systems such as Microsoft Office and Google Drive.
- Other duties as assigned.
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Commitment to education, youth development, and social justice: Awareness of environmental justice issues. Can make connections between environmental and social issues. Supports youth-led advocacy.
- Interest in working with communities historically excluded from environmental experiences and careers in the Bay Area, including low income and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities.
- Ability to connect with diverse groups of youth, especially middle school and high school aged youth. Interest and ability to make curriculum relevant to youth audiences.
- Teamwork: Ability to support team and program goals, balance team and individual responsibilities. Ability to collaborate and co-lead programs. Receives direction and feedback in a constructive manner.
- Good Judgment: Ability to analyze calculated risks while prioritizing the safety of both staff and youth. Includes appropriate staff and/or community members in the decision-making process.
- Flexibility: Ability to adjust priorities as the team’s needs change. Ability to work in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments as well as with a variety of age groups. Ability to adapt to a flexible work schedule that does include some evening, weekend, and overnight work. Ability to adapt programs on the spot based on youth needs.
- Leadership: exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well.
Desired Education and/or Experience:
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- One or more school years working with elementary, middle school, or high school students.
- Experience working with diverse groups of youth. This includes multiple dimensions of diversity such as race/ethnicity, income, language, physical ability, sexuality, gender identity, and neurodiversity.
- Experience, strong interest, or education in environmental education, child development, recreation, or other related fields.
- Experience (personal or professional) facilitating groups.
Certifications or Licenses:
- Valid Driver’s License.
- CPR, First Aid, and Epinephrine auto injector certification - will assist upon hire.
- Because this position works closely with youth, we require Live Scan fingerprint clearance in addition to the standard pre-employment background check.
Health and Safety:
It is the goal of the Parks Conservancy to create and maintain a safe and healthy workplace. We work to mitigate hazards and risks that may cause harm to employees, consistent with state and federal laws. Employees play an active role in creating a safe and healthy workplace and are expected to comply with all applicable health and safety rules.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
- Work is primarily in-person and is based at the Crissy Field Center in the Presidio. Any remote work is planned with other department staff and requires supervisor approval.
- Work is performed in multiple settings, including at a desk in an office, in front of a computer, in indoor teaching spaces such as classrooms, and in outdoor settings such as parks.
- Ability to hike 5 miles on uneven terrain.
- Work is often performed standing or walking with a backpack.
- Frequently lifts, carries, and positions objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Occasionally sits at a computer station for up to 3-4 hours.
- Regularly drives youth and staff in work vehicles.
- A DMV record check to be cleared to drive company vehicles is required. Company vehicle will be provided to access work sites.
Pay Rate and Benefits:
This is a benefitted, Project Term-Limited position working an average of 40 hours per week. Overtime is paid for any hours exceeding 8 hours in one day. The starting rate is $26.50/hour (Pay Grade 14). Benefits include health, dental and vision insurance; paid vacation, holidays, personal, and sick days; a 403(b) retirement plan (3% non-elective employer contribution); Employee Assistance Program; employer-matched Commuter Program; employee discounts, and more.
To Apply: In lieu of a cover letter, please submit your resume and include the written answers to the questions below. Please limit each answer to a maximum of 150 words.
- Please describe what interests you about this position. What about the responsibilities, audience, program, or organization are attractive to you?
- Please describe your most relevant previous experience working with youth. What makes you a good candidate for this position?
- What are at least two ways you would hope to grow by being in this position? Why are these growth areas important to you?
- What talents, skills, or interests do you have that you would like to bring to our team?
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Application review will begin by July 2026. Interviews are projected to take place in August 2026.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Recruitment, placement, and promotions are conducted without regard to an individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical handicap, veteran status or sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by Federal, State, and local laws & ordinances. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
