Program Description:

Full Circle is an outdoor-based community-building program for elementary school classrooms that uses a combination of field trips to parks along with classroom and community activities to allow children to explore the parallels of nature and personal behavior.

By developing an understanding of the dynamic relationships that exist in nature’s ecosystems, students can then begin to apply those same principles of interconnection on a social level – back in their classroom, in their home and in the community. In fact, each Full Circle program concludes with a Community Service project designed by the students.

Job Responsibilities:

·      Assist in conducting team-building games and activities

·      Under direction of Program Coordinator, set up activity station for program opening.

·      Begin promptly and time your lesson plan and activities to meet a set itinerary.

·      Follow theme of program curriculum: Awareness

·      Lead a group of six-eight 5th-grade students through a series of nature awareness activities (Fox Walking, Owl Eyes, Deer Ears) and games (3 sticks), as well as a general overview of animal tracking. (Curriculum and materials provided.)

·      Lead brief nature hike around park. (Route provided.)

·      Assist in digital camera distribution.

·      Lead after-lunch photo expedition hike on same route as earlier hike.

·      Encourage students to record their impressions in their field journals.

·      Assist in camera collection.

·      Return all materials to Program Coordinator at the end of the day.

·      Repeat similar photo expedition at the school the following week later.

Qualified applicants MUST:

·      Enjoy working with children.

·      Possess excellent group facilitation and group management skills.

·      Have experience conducting outdoor or environmental education programs with elementary school aged children, grades 5 – 6. (Formal classroom teaching experience is especially attractive.)

·      Have knowledge and understanding of basic science principles, especially ecology.

·      Be able to “hit the ground running,” once trained in curriculum.

·      Be comfortable with active, physical work outdoors.

·      Maintain a professional manner with clientele (students and teachers).

·      Submit to and pass a background check.

·      Have access to reliable transportation.

·      Have reliable access to email and cell phone.

·      Be flexible and comfortable with last-minute schedule changes.

Applicants should possess the ability to work independently, maintain a “big picture” perspective and self-monitor program support needs. (In other words, work alone, think ahead, be prepared for the next task at hand – including maintaining all necessary resources, materials and supplies.)

Applicants should also possess general knowledge and experience in the following fields and topics: Cooperative Team-building Games & Activities, Natural Science, Human Ecology, Wilderness Skills (tracking, fire-building, cordage and edible & medicinal plant usage), Arts & Crafts, Photography, Service Learning and Systems Theory.

Knowledge of and familiarity with the native tradition of “council” is helpful. The same goes for “coyote” methods, as practiced by Tom Brown, Jr. and the Wilderness Awareness School.

First-Aid training is preferred, but not mandatory.

Additional training (in any or all areas) will be provided as necessary to qualified applicants.

The programs for Spring 2012 serve schools in the Silver Lake, Echo Park and Los Feliz communities of Los Angeles.

NOTE: We are especially looking for someone experienced in conducting fire-making activities with children using a hand-drill.

NOTE: Qualified applicants may also be considered for our ongoing "Drop in a Bucket" water education program. Please see that listing.

Please send a cover letter and resume via email or fax to Program Coordinator Jessica Klein at JKlein@WildwoodsFoundation.org or (213) 947-1956.

Deadline to apply Extended 1/9/12. 

Invited applicants will interview on 1/9/12 and 1/10/12. Training will be conducted on  1/21-22/12.

Programming begins 1/28/12.