Nature School Educator

How you will contribute as part of the TRCA team:

The Nature School Educator delivers fun, creative and inquiry based, self-directed forest school experiences for children 2.5–5 years of age.

Major Responsibilities:

• Learns program content to be able to effectively deliver interactive nature and forest programs to small groups of pre-school children
• Assesses, records and communicates participant achievement, attendance and milestones
• Ensures program equipment/supplies including demonstration materials are well maintained, clean and appropriately stored
• Provides support with the development of forest school-based programs for an early year’s audience
• Follows all safety policies, operating procedures and guidelines required for The Nature School.
• Reports and records any incidents, such as accidents or significant rule violations, to senior staff

What will you need to succeed:

Education (degree/diploma/certifications/licenses)

• Minimum pursuing a post-secondary diploma or degree in Education, Biology, Environmental Studies, Outdoor Recreation or a related field
• Forest School Practitioners Certification and/or Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) and/or Ontario Certified Teacher and member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers
• Valid Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C Certification 
• Successful completion of Vulnerable Sector Screening. Employees/candidates under the age of eighteen (18) years are not eligible to have a VSS, therefore will not be required

Experience

• 1+ years of experience working with early years children (ages 2.5-5) in a group setting
• 1 year of experience delivering forest school programs to early years and assisting with program development

Knowledge/Skill/Ability - Competencies

• Knowledge of natural history or environmentally related disciplines
• Demonstrated knowledge of Forest School pedagogy and approaches to learning
• Ability to deliver programs/information to audiences of various ages, adapting style to ensure audience appropriateness 
• Ability to provide assistance to small children with toileting issues as required
• Ability to communicate effectively with tact and courtesy 
• Ability to work independently and take initiative within a set of guidelines and procedures, and to take direction and notes when given