Program Description
Common Ground offers children in grades K – 8 the opportunity to learn, explore, have adventures, and make friends on our urban farm and forest site, located in West Rock Park. Activities include science and nature lessons, healthy cooking, farm-based activities (gardening and animals), nature arts projects, hiking, and games! For more information on Common Ground, see www.commongroundct.org.
Job Description
Common Ground Environmental Educators lead farm and forest based programs for students in grades K – 8. Some training is provided, however staff should be prepared to develop and lead many of their own activities. Our field trip program has the most curricular guidance provided, and after school and summer camp have lots of room for bringing in your favorite things to teach! Examples of typical activities include: interpretive nature hikes, farm animal care, gardening and cooking projects, natural or recycled art, games that teach ecological concepts, etc.
We are currently seeking field trip teachers! Our field trip staff typically come from a science teaching, naturalist, or outdoor education background. We are seeking staff who love being outdoors, have some background knowledge of farm and garden concepts and/or naturalist skills, and who have significant experience leading, teaching, and managing groups of children in an outdoor setting. Hiring on an ongoing basis this winter, for a March or April start date.
Teachers are responsible for planning and running activities, coordinating with other staff, behavior management, daily prep and clean-up, and any other tasks necessary to run a fun, safe youth program.
Program Schedule
School Field Trips meet from 9:30 AM – 12 PM (with some variability), Mon – Fri from Sept – June.
After school programs meet from 3:00 – 6:00 PM, with additional hours for staff meetings and trainings as scheduled based on staff availability.
FULL TIME work in our outdoor, nature based summer camp will also be available for 7 weeks this summer.
Hours per week:
• 3 – 25 hours per week, based on staff availability and program need. Staff may set specific days and hours of availability. Most staff work mornings, a few days per week.
• Especially seeking staff who have fairly flexible mornings and are happy working 3 – 10 hours per week (with seasonal opportunity to work more, but increasing your available hours is not required).
Qualifications and Compensation
Minimum qualifications for this position are:
• Experience with teaching formal or informal environmental education programs for a range of ages
• Knowledge of the natural world: forest ecosystems, New England wildlife, birding, vegetable gardening, geology, native plants, wetlands and ponds, soils, and more. Expertise in all of these is not necessary, we seek enthusiastic naturalists who may have one or more areas of particular interest!
• Excellent group dynamic and behavior management skills, ability to engage children and direct them in an active teaching environment
• Ability to represent Common Ground in a positive and professional manner.
Compensation: $16.50 – $17.25/hour
To Apply
Email a cover letter and resume to Rebecca Holcombe at rholcombe@commongroundct.org.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY STATEMENT
It has been the policy and will continue to be the strong commitment of the Common Ground and all contractors and subcontractors who do business with Common Ground to provide equal opportunities in employment to all qualified persons solely on the basis of job-related skills, ability and merit. Common Ground will continue to take Affirmative Action to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, mental disorder (present or past history thereof) age, physical disability (but not limited to blindness), marital status, mental retardation, criminal record, sexual orientation, gender identity and criminal record. Such action includes, but is not limited to, employment, promotion, demotion or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training, professional development, attendance at conference or other opportunities for advancement. Common Ground, its contractors and subcontractors will continue to make good faith efforts to comply with all federal and state laws and policies which speak to equal employment opportunity.
The principles of Affirmative Action are addressed in the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments of the United States Constitution, Civil Rights Act of 1866, 1870, 1871, Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VI and VII of the 1964 United States Civil Rights Act, Presidential Executive Order 11246, amended by 11375, (Non-discrimination under federal contracts)< Act 1, Section 1 and 20 of the Connecticut Constitution, Governor Grasso’s Executive Order Number 11, Governor O’Neill’s Executive Order 9, the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Law (Sec. 46a-60-69) of the Connecticut General Statutes, Connecticut Code of Fair Practices (46a-70-81), Deprivation of Civil Rights (46a-58(a)(d)), Public Accommodations Law (46a-63-64), Discrimination against Criminal Offenders (46a-80), definition of Blind (46a-51(1)), definition of Physically Disabled (46a-51(15)), definition of Mentally Retarded (46a-51(13)), cooperation with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (46a-77), Sexual Harassment (46a-60(a)-8), Connecticut Credit Discrimination Law (360436 through 439), Title I of the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972.
This Affirmative Action Policy Statement re-affirms Common Ground’s commitment to equity in the workplace and the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity.
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