Outdoor Science Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Douglas Family ECC Outdoor Classroom Teacher is a dynamic and innovative educator responsible for creating and leading a developmentally appropriate curriculum in an outdoor learning environment. This role requires a strong background in early childhood education, with specialized skills in curriculum development tailored to outdoor settings. The ideal candidate will possess a high level of physical stamina and enthusiasm for outdoor activities, ensuring that all learning experiences are engaging, safe, and conducive to child growth and development. The Outdoor Classroom Teacher will work primarily in an outdoor setting, with exposure to various weather conditions and natural elements. Physical stamina and comfort with outdoor activities are essential for success in this role. This is a part-time, non-exempt position.

Sinai Akiba Academy is a preeminent private Jewish day school in Los Angeles, serving students in Early Childhood through Grade 8. Sinai Akiba Academy is undergirded by our school mission to engage students in the joy and discipline of learning, and nurture a community of ethical, critical thinkers who, shaped by our evolving Jewish tradition, walk through the world with confidence and humility. 

Our core values of Kehillah Kedoshah (Sacred Community); Talmud Torah (Academic Excellence); Derech Eretz (Kindness, Empathy, & Respect); Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof (Ethical Responsibility); Avodat Halev (Soulful Intention), and Ahavat Yisrael (Love for Israel) serve as a commitment with the students, families and community members that we serve to energize the present, explore the past, and embrace the future.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan and coordinate with the Outdoor Classroom Coordinator to incorporate appropriate, challenging curriculum for individual, small, and large group activities that promote learning in the areas of social-emotional, language, cognitive, physical, and self-help development and motivate children's enthusiasm for active participation in the learning process.
  • Create and document effective lesson plans and conduct age-appropriate group lessons
  • Help teachers plan or spontaneously extend their classroom activities to the outdoors
  • Provide a curriculum and organize centers for outdoor and science education with activities and materials that are rotated for a variety of experiences
  • Determine the organization of each play area and ensure that a variety of new, age-appropriate opportunities are continually available.  
  • Oversee the teachers by assigning them specific responsibilities and monitoring that they are engaging in active learning (not just supervision)
  • Guide and mobilize the children by making sure they are aware of activities available, helping them problem-solve, self-monitor, and practice self-control
  • Ensure that outdoor time is unique, fun, safe, and age-appropriate for the student
  • Provide a science curriculum that is fun, safe, and age-appropriate
  • Facilitate play and learning rather than directing the children’s play, intruding on their play, or judging their ideas
  • Observe how the children are engaging with the materials and scaffold the learning accordingly
    
• Steward and support teachers’ pedagogy and practices, including: 
  • Work with the Outdoor Classroom Coordinator to train teachers in active outdoor learning methods and responsibilities
  • Get feedback from supervisors and teachers regarding science and outdoor activities that are/would be beneficial
  • Develop new ideas (centers, games, procedures, etc.) to make the outdoor periods productive and fun for students
  • Work with teachers to develop regular routines with students (e.g., what happens when students arrive, when outdoor time is over, and returning equipment, etc.).
  • Assign specific locations for each teacher in the play areas, and help create and coordinate the use of outdoor areas
  • Work with supervisors on conflict resolution techniques for use with students
  • Provide feedback to classroom teachers/advisors when specific children or groups are experiencing difficulty during outdoor ed/playtime
    
• Maintain, monitor, and replenish DFECC teaching materials
• Utilize the Outdoor Classroom bulletin board to make the outdoor learning visible by providing pictures and documentation that is regularly rotated 
• Communicate verbally with children and verbally and digitally (email & SeeSaw) with parents, Staffulty, administrators, and colleagues about curriculum, children’s progress, and child development
• Maintain a sensitive, cooperative, and flexible demeanor in interactions with others, including colleagues, families, and children
• Demonstrate professionalism through reliability, punctuality, and participation in meetings and professional development opportunities
• Maintain personal integrity and a respectful attitude in professional relationships
• Keep current in contemporary pedagogical thinking, strategies, and techniques by reading professional journals and attending professional conferences, workshops, and courses
• Coordinate efforts of assistant teachers, interns, student teachers, and other adults in the classroom
• Attend all meetings, including professional development, team meetings, age-level meetings, and meetings with parents
• Provide for the physical safety of children through anticipation and removal of hazards, visual observation of children active or at rest, and appropriately responding to, documenting, and communicating about injuries
• Help to coordinate and be present during our Early Risers (early drop-off) program on the playground
• Prepared to spend the entire shift outdoors
• Ability to move through the DFECC Playground, readily available to support planned or unplanned student group activities
• Learn, use, and apply technology as required by the School to enhance learning, provide feedback to students and parents, and engage with colleagues. Technology includes but is not limited to Jagnet, Google Workspace, Paylocity, and any other school-approved software.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Head of School in support of the school’s mission

Hourly Rate Range: $23.00 – $30.00

In the spirit of pay transparency we share the hourly rate range for this position: $23.00 - $30.00. Hourly rate is exclusive of fringe benefits, retirement plan employer contributions or potential stipends (for eligible employees). Pay ranges at SAA are reasonable estimates of what the School anticipates paying for a role but are not guaranteed. If hired at SAA, your final hourly rate will be determined by factors such as skills, education, experience, job level, part-time status and number of months of work per academic year. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity with our current employees as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the full hourly rate range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical for SAA in order to allow for future and continued hourly rate growth.

Applicants may submit their resume for consideration to Lisa Rosenbloom at lrosenbloom@sinaiakiba.org.

Sinai Akiba Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and strictly prohibits any type of harassment or discrimination in regards to race, religion, age, color, sex, disability status, national origin, genetics, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender expression, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and/or local laws.

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a minimum of 12 ECC units
• Proven experience in early childhood education, with a focus on curriculum development for outdoor settings
• Ability to work on campus Monday - Friday 7:30AM - 12:30PM
• Strong physical fitness and enthusiasm for engaging in outdoor activities
• Demonstrated ability to create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with children, parents, and colleagues effectively
• Knowledge of safety regulations and risk management practices in outdoor environments

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift and move objects of up to 30 pounds. 
• Substantial time spent standing, kneeling, walking, bending, stooping, squatting, and moving up and down stairs. Responsibilities include moving quickly with children. The position also requires being able to set up and move classroom equipment, including large items such as children's desks and chairs may require setting and resetting.