Nature Connection Mentor

Founded in 2007, Vashon Wilderness Program (VWP) provides transformative nature immersion experiences that cultivate a deep relationship between, self, community and the natural world. Our all outdoor, experiential programs engender a powerful set of nature, wilderness, and community-building skills that help students live, learn, and lead with joy, vitality, peace, passion, and care. At the heart of our work, we support a deep connection with the wonder and awe of nature for healthy individuals, communities and the planet. VWP believes that nature connection is a birthright and that all humans deserve access to the healing and wholing benefits of a nature-rooted childhood nested within a nature-rooted culture. 

Job Summary

The VWP Mentor is an essential member of our dynamic organization that transforms the lives of those we serve. Each Mentor is responsible for their own learning and growth in order to best serve their students and co-create meaningful and successful relationships. Each Mentor is also expected to creatively interact with their Mentor team to design and implement nature connection programs, and receive and provide feedback in a clear and respectful manner for individual staff and organizational growth.

Responsibilities

  • Create and implement experiential nature immersion programs for children in the context of nature awareness, naturalist skills, wilderness survival, and community building

  • Role model passion and enthusiasm for engaging with nature

  • Oversee physical and emotional safety and instruction for children during our nature programs.

  • Work with teaching team to develop lesson plans and related program activities

  • Facilitate group energy and respond to group needs in order to effectively manage and engage each participant in a positive experience

  • Actively contribute to the leadership team to plan, prepare, deliver, and evaluate each day of programming

  • Communicate with parents (email, phone calls, in-person, before/after programs) on a weekly/monthly basis

  • Participate in monthly staff meetings, on-going staff development trainings, promotional events, and other meetings as requested

  • Participate in our public community events

  • Provide ongoing feedback for Young Mentors that assist in our programs

  • Uphold Vashon Wilderness Program’s mission and policies

Qualifications

Required Skills & Qualifications  

  • Demonstrated interest in youth development and nature-based learning 

  • Experience facilitating groups of children

  • Demonstrated commitment to children’s social and emotional well-being and sensitivity to participants’ life experiences and physical/emotional needs

  • Demonstrated desire to connect youth with self, peers, and nature

  • Skills in nature-based related areas [examples include: wilderness and naturalist skills (i.e., wild edible and medicinal plant knowledge, animal tracking, shelter building, fire-making, bird language), hunting, boat building, farming, music, crafting, storytelling, art, drama, ecological knowledge, cultural knowledge, conservation]

  • Experience in creating physically and emotionally safe learning environments for children

  • Commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all students, especially those who may have been excluded from nature-based learning (for example, students with disabilities, BIPOC students, and LGBTQ+ youth)

  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of VWP 

  • Demonstrated capacity to effectively work on diverse teams

  • Capacity and commitment to work as a contributing member of a team, able to bring your unique voice, gifts, and contributions to a relational work setting

  • Current First Aid/CPR certifications (or able to acquire before working)

  • Able to move around outdoors, while carrying some program gear, in a variety of weather conditions for hours at a time

  • Able to pass a background check

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

  • Training and or experience in mentoring styles that utilize experiential, play-based, child-centered learning (such as 8-Shields Model or Coyote Mentoring method)

  • Experience as a naturalist instructor working with youth ages 4-17 in the outdoors

  • Knowledge of Pacific Northwest hazards, mammals, tracking, edible/medicinal plants, navigation without map/compass, field ecology, trees, survival techniques, birds/birdsong, or history of local Indigenous Nations and right relations

  • Knowledge and/or training in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion work.

  • Bilingual skills a plus

Physical Requirements

  • Willingness and ability to spend significant time outdoors in all weather conditions interacting with children and families

  • Willingness and ability to spend time to collaborate with leadership team and carry out administrative job responsibilities, including those on a computer

  • Willing to be regularly exposed to fire, smoke, water, and outdoor risks and hazards 

We Value

  • A Love of children

  • A Love of nature

  • Welcoming and inclusive spaces

  • Equitable and inclusive approaches to student engagement

  • Play and Fun

  • Integrity 

  • Humility & Service-mindedness

  • Creativity & Collaboration

  • Compassionate Communication

  • Personal & Professional Growth

Salary/Benefit Information

  • This is a part-time salaried non-exempt position. Hourly rates are the equivalent of $20-$23 DOE

  • Staff are paid for planning, field work, staff training and development, meetings, community events and more

  • Benefits include: 

    • Worker’s Compensation, Paid Sick Leave

    • Ferry costs are reimbursed for mentors commuting from off-island

    • Mentors are eligible for meritorious bonuses

  • Be a part of a community that values earth-based wisdom

  • Support others in their journey of deep nature connection

  • Receive support for your own learning and growth

Application Process

Compete this online application

Deadline: June 30th; interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until positions are filled. 

Positions begin September 12, 2022

Anti-discrimination Statement

VWP welcomes all children, families and staff members and works to create an emotionally and physically safe space for each member of our community. We work to dismantle systemic racism and the effects of oppression which exist within all facets of our organization - within our bodies, minds and hearts, in our policies and practices, and in our wider VWP community and beyond. More information on VWP’s Commitment to Justice is found HERE. 

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply, including people of diverse races, ethnicities, religions, languages, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and ages.