Nature Jobs in Vermont (NOW HIRING)

We're looking for a dynamic, compassionate educator to join the River Branch Community School community. As a nature-based early education program, we believe that early childhood educators play an essential role in nurturing healthy children, strong families, and thriving communities. Imagine spending your workday outside instead of under fluorescent lights! We believe educators thrive when they have fresh air, meaningful relationships, time to plan, and a workplace that values balance as much as excellence.

Our school embraces the beautiful Vermont landscape as an extension of the classroom. We strive to create a safe, welcoming environment where children are encouraged to explore, ask questions, take healthy risks, and build meaningful relationships with their peers, educators, and the world around them. Grounded in the belief that every child is capable, curious, and full of potential, our play-based approach supports each child's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development through authentic, hands-on experiences.

If you are passionate about early childhood education, inspired by nature, and are looking to be part of a collaborative and caring team, we would love to hear from you. We are committed to supporting our educators by fostering a healthy work-life balance, honoring professional autonomy, investing in ongoing growth, and creating a workplace where people feel valued, respected, and connected. We are a small, supportive team that believes in collaboration over competition. Our educators plan together, celebrate together, and genuinely enjoy spending time together. New teachers receive mentoring and support because everyone deserves to succeed. Whether you're just beginning your career or are an experienced educator, we invest in your professional growth through coaching, paid professional development, Vermont licensing support, and opportunities for leadership.

If this sounds like the kind of school you've been searching for, we'd love to meet you. Whether you're an experienced educator or just beginning your journey in early childhood education, we encourage you to apply.

• Create and implement an engaging, play-based, nature-inspired curriculum that reflects the developmental needs, interests, and curiosity of toddlers.
• Foster a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment where children feel secure, valued, and encouraged to explore both indoors and outdoors.
• Build responsive, trusting relationships with children that support emotional well-being, early communication, social-emotional growth, and a strong sense of belonging.
• Guide daily routines with consistency, patience, and respect, creating predictable rhythms that help children develop confidence and independence.
• Observe, document, and assess children's development to inform individualized care, curriculum planning, and family communication.
• Partner with families through open, respectful communication, conferences, and ongoing collaboration to support each child's growth and development.
• Mentor and collaborate with assistant teachers, modeling best practices while cultivating a positive, supportive classroom team.
• Encourage children's emerging independence by supporting self-help skills, problem-solving, and age-appropriate risk-taking.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and inviting classroom and outdoor learning environment that inspires discovery and reflects children's interests.
• Ensure compliance with Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations, health and safety practices, and all River Branch Community School policies and procedures.
• Participate actively in staff meetings, reflective practice, and ongoing professional development to strengthen teaching practice and contribute to the continuous growth of the program.
• Contribute to a collaborative school culture by demonstrating flexibility, professionalism, open communication, and a shared commitment to the success of children, families, and colleagues.

Our ideal candidate will meet or be working towards meeting the Vermont Child Development Division (CDD) qualifications for a Teacher or Teacher Associate in a center-based program. We are happy to work with educators who are new to the field and are excited to support those who are committed to career advancement training.

• Experience working with toddlers (ages 13–35 months) in a group setting
• Experience (or strong interest) in nature-based or outdoor early childhood education, including risk-taking, seasonal curriculum, and emergent learning
• Strong communication skills and ability to build respectful, trusting relationships with families
• Commitment to anti-bias, culturally responsive, and relationship-centered teaching practices
• Alignment with RBCS values: curiosity, respect for the natural world, collaboration, flexibility, and a belief in children as capable learners

• Love being outdoors
• Are curious
• Enjoy hiking in rain and snow
• Believe children are capable
• Value teamwork
• Enjoy building relationships

Our educators are compensated with a highly competitive annual salary, commensurate with education and experience. This is a full-time position, scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM.

Benefits include:

• 15 CTO days
• Three additional paid vacation weeks
• Six additional paid holidays

• Competitive salary
• 3% Simple IRA match
• Annual COLA
• Childcare discount

• Weekly planning time
• Five paid professional development days
• NAEYC & VTAEYC membership
• Mentoring and career advancement support