Program Naturalist - Inside the Outdoors

About the Employer

The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) serves some of Orange County's most vulnerable student populations and provides support and mandated fiscal oversight to 28 school districts serving more than 600 schools and approximately 475,000 students. In addition to providing direct instruction to students through its own alternative and special education programs, OCDE administers an array of programs and services that are critical to the operations of local school districts and community colleges, facilitating professional development, legal guidance, payroll, career and technical education support, high-speed internet access, Local Control and Accountability Plan assistance and approval, resources for families, and student enrichment. OCDE's vision is that "Orange County students will lead the nation in college and career readiness and success." Department staff are working to achieve this goal in collaboration with educators at all levels of student development, from early childhood through higher education, and in partnership with families, businesses and community organizations.

Job Summary

Inside the Outdoors (ITO) is a unique and hands-on environmental education program serving students, teachers, and families from across Orange County. As a team, our goal is to collectively empower the next generation of environmentally literate community members through our Field Trips, Traveling Scientist, and Community programs. During our programs, Pre-K through 12th-grade students step into the shoes of ecologists, geologists, and other scientists as they explore our local ecosystems, take part in hands-on science investigations, and discover local cultural history. ITO is recruiting a talented individual to serve as Program Naturalist. This key position will deliver Traveling Scientist classroom programs in schools across Orange County. They will also act as the lead staff member for field trips in local parks and open spaces. We are establishing an eligibility list for current and future vacancies in this position.

View Job Description

Requirements / Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in natural science. • One (1) year of experience working with school-aged children in an organized educational environment. • Experience in providing instruction in an outdoor environment is highly desirable.

There are supplemental questions in the application. Please note that the EdJoin system will time-out after a 20-minute period of perceived inactivity. To assist you in the preparation of your application, the supplemental questions are listed here. Your responses should be thoughtful and thorough, and within the limit of 5,000 characters or less. We recommend that you prepare your responses in advance of beginning the application. 1. Please describe any experience that you have in teaching or leading environmental education programs. Please include name(s) and location of program(s) where you've worked. 2. All of Inside the Outdoors' programs are aligned with current California content standards, including Next Generation Science Standards. Please describe your experience with NGSS-aligned learning experiences and any training that you've had with NGSS. How might an NGSS-aligned learning experience be structured differently from traditional science learning experiences? 3. Please describe your experience teaching or working with students from diverse backgrounds. Notice to Applicants: If you require accommodation in the application process, please inform us.

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in natural science. • One (1) year of experience working with school-aged children in an organized educational environment. • Experience in providing instruction in an outdoor environment is highly desirable.

There are supplemental questions in the application. Please note that the EdJoin system will time-out after a 20-minute period of perceived inactivity. To assist you in the preparation of your application, the supplemental questions are listed here. Your responses should be thoughtful and thorough, and within the limit of 5,000 characters or less. We recommend that you prepare your responses in advance of beginning the application. 1. Please describe any experience that you have in teaching or leading environmental education programs. Please include name(s) and location of program(s) where you've worked. 2. All of Inside the Outdoors' programs are aligned with current California content standards, including Next Generation Science Standards. Please describe your experience with NGSS-aligned learning experiences and any training that you've had with NGSS. How might an NGSS-aligned learning experience be structured differently from traditional science learning experiences? 3. Please describe your experience teaching or working with students from diverse backgrounds. Notice to Applicants: If you require accommodation in the application process, please inform us.

Comments and Other Information

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the completed online application. Before receiving authorization to work in this position, the individual selected will be required to provide a current negative TB authorization, within the last 60 days, and submit fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a confidential background investigation and record check. The tests are arranged and paid for by OCDE. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to verify the employability of all new employees. Before the Department will finalize an offer of employment, the candidate selected will be required to show original documents which establish both the individual's identity and employment authorization. The candidate must also sign a statement under penalty of perjury regarding his/her employability. We reserve the right to reopen, readvertise, or delay filling this position. AA/EOE/ADA

Comments and Other Information

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the completed online application. Before receiving authorization to work in this position, the individual selected will be required to provide a current negative TB authorization, within the last 60 days, and submit fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a confidential background investigation and record check. The tests are arranged and paid for by OCDE. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to verify the employability of all new employees. Before the Department will finalize an offer of employment, the candidate selected will be required to show original documents which establish both the individual's identity and employment authorization. The candidate must also sign a statement under penalty of perjury regarding his/her employability. We reserve the right to reopen, readvertise, or delay filling this position. AA/EOE/ADA