Homeschool Program Coordinator
Piedmont Wildlife Center
Homeschool Program Coordinator
Do you love exploring the outdoors? Are you passionate about mentoring children and connecting them with nature? Piedmont Wildlife Center is currently seeking seasonal, part-time Homeschool Program Coordinator.
Organizational overview: Piedmont Wildlife Center is a Durham-based non-profit environmental organization encouraging conservation and inspiring people to build lifelong connections with nature through immersive outdoor education, citizen science, and wildlife stewardship. We offer year-round outdoor education programs as well as conservation-themed outreach and citizen science programs with our resident Ambassador Animals.
Program Summary: Piedmont Wildlife Center’s homeschool program is a wonderfully unique experience. Composed of a diverse group of community oriented families, Homeschool in the Wild provides an opportunity for children to engage with others and grow on their own terms. We encourage self expression and foster healthy communication between our campers, staff, and parents.
Position Summary: The Homeschool in the Wild Coordinator will plan and facilitate activities designed to engage the body and senses, inspire the mind, awaken curiosity, develop confidence, create community, and connect with nature. Activities will be taught in small group settings (ideally a 1:5 ratio) where students have unique outdoor learning experiences that build outdoor knowledge, community, leadership and inspire learning. Activities range from stories, games and adventures in life science and wilderness skills to connect students to nature and each other creating community building, leadership and inspired learning. Expectations include supervising staff, scheduling, mentoring, planning meetings, and interaction with parents as well as other Piedmont wildlife center staff.
Land Acknowledgement: Our camp operates out of Leigh Farm Park in Durham County. Leigh Farm Park is a remnant of a 19th century plantation. The Durham County Park department has preserved multiple historic structures. It is extremely important that we discuss this history with our staff and campers, honor the indigenous and enslaved peoples who cared for the land, amplify their stories, and continue learning about and examining the parks’ legacy. Please let us know if you have perspectives or resources to share - we are always interested in getting staff involved in our journey.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead Tuesday and Thursday Homeschool programs
- Preserving the Piedmont wildlife center culture specific to the homeschool in the wild and the organizational core values
- Schedule Homeschool staff planning meetings
- Securing Homeschool staff as needed
- Coordinate Homeschool staff schedules
- Share necessary calendars and curriculum with staff
- Communicate with Homeschool parents - welcome/weekly emails
- Create Homeschool clan lists/check-in
- Distribute merchandise ordered by Homeschool families
- Update Homeschool website as needed
- Create and update Homeschool photo gallery
- Ensure accurate completion of bi-weekly timesheets
- Supervise curriculum-building for Homeschool programs
- Follow the handbook and branding guidelines of the piedmont wildlife center
- Supervise camper safety and enforce activity policies, including our COVID-19
- Protocol
- Support other organizational duties as needed.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of local ecology or tracking and survival skills
- Ability to tell stories
- Childcare and/or education experience
- Nature-based mentoring experience
- Leadership experience
- Basic experience with G Suite
- First aid certification required
Unique Considerations:
- Ability to hike at least 2 miles comfortably
- Excited to and comfortable with playing outside in all weather conditions
- Comfortable exploring muddy and swampy areas
Schedule: The Homeschool Coordinator is expected to work through the fall and spring seasons. Opportunities to work winter and summer camps are available. The Coordinator typically works 25 - 30 hours each week.
Pay: $14-16/hr based on experience
To Apply: Please email a cover letter and resume to camp@piedmontwildlifecenter.org with the subject line “Homeschool Coordinator Application – Your Name”.
If you have questions or require more information about this position, please contact us at 919-489-0900 or camp@piedmontwildlifecenter.org.
We at the Piedmont Wildlife Center do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity with regard to membership, employment practices, or provision of services.