EMPLOYMENT
Teaching positions and internships at Echo Hill Outdoor School provide opportunities to learn more about natural sciences and local history; adventure course facilitation and training; residential life; individual and group development; facility care and maintenance including landscaping, gardening, and carpentry; and the restoration and maintenance of historic wooden boats. Instructors gain insight into diverse educational philosophies, participate in professional and curriculum development, and often collaborate in teaching. While there is a strong and established framework for all of the classes taught at Echo Hill, great responsibility is placed on each staff member to plan, execute, and provide the creativity behind every lesson plan and activity.
Qualifications and Background Experience
Our instructors come from a wide variety of backgrounds including education, natural sciences, recreation, environmental and outdoor education, challenge course learning, psychology, human service professionals, history and marine biology. Teachers have extensive experience working with and relating well to children, and they generally possess a Bachelor’s degree. Interns are often 18 to 24 years of age, joining Echo Hill Outdoor School as part of a gap year or as an enrolled undergraduate/graduate student earning fieldwork or practicum experience through their college or university.
Requirements
Current certifications in American Red Cross First Aid and Professional Rescuer CPR are required. All program staff must participate in a Maryland and FBI criminal history check and USCG and Department of Transportation employee drug-testing program.
Benefits
Compensation includes a weekly salary. Room and board are included in these residential positions. There is potential for extended (ten or twelve month) contracts. All program staff receive one to five weeks (based upon length of commitment) of comprehensive training and professional development. Teambuilding, curriculum, residential care and supervision, risk management, and facility maintenance and upkeep are all parts of Echo Hill Outdoor School’s staff training. A staff medical policy is available.
TEACHER/ NATURALIST
Echo Hill Outdoor School is a community that thrives on education and stresses genuine concern for others, cooperation, integrity, and enthusiasm for life. Residential teaching positions are available for individuals with initiative, motivation, energy, creativity, and commitment. We welcome applications year-round. Our primary employment start dates are March and late August.
Responsibilities:
• Plan and teach a variety of classes from all curriculum areas
• Create and implement new course and curriculum ideas
• Supervise all aspects of student residential life including overnights in platform tents or cabins, table heading family-style meals, supervising free time and recreational activities
• Active involvement in the end of week staff program assessment of visiting groups and general operation
• Minimal maintenance duties (upkeep of the campus and facilities)
Qualifications:
• Background in education, recreation, environmental/outdoor education, challenge course learning, psychology, human service professions, natural sciences, marine biology or related fields
• Enthusiasm and passion for the environment and students of all ages
• Must work effectively with fellow staff, be able to take initiative, and problem solve
Requirements: Current certifications in American Red Cross First Aid and Professional Rescuer CPR are required. All program staff must participate in a Maryland and FBI Criminal History check and USCG and Department of Transportation employee drug-testing program.
Compensation: The starting salary for an entry level Teacher/Naturalist is commensurate with experience and typically ranges from $340-400 per week. School-owned housing and full board are included in this residential teaching position. Ten month contracts are available for interested, committed individuals. A staff medical policy is available.
Deadline: Applications are welcome year-round. Please email cover letter and resume to: jobs@ehos.org
CAPTAIN/ EDUCATOR
Echo Hill Outdoor School, located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, is seeking a full time Captain/Educator. Our captains rotate through four historic wooden Chesapeake Bay vessels; a skipjack, a buyboat, and two deadrise workboats. The position provides opportunities beyond the scope of a traditional Captain. Echo Hill's outdoor classes, and residential programs are grounded in our desire to have students live and learn closely with nature. You will take an active role in providing students with positive experiences in the outdoors that are exciting, interesting, and fun.
During the school year, classes are taught aboard the workboats with 12-15 students about Bay ecology, water quality, and the variety of life that exists in the Bay and its surroundings. Tools such as otter trawl nets, plankton tows, Secchi disks, and crab and eel pots help achieve these goals. In summer, the skipjack and buyboat are used to lead 5-day overnight excursions for up to 6 students who live aboard with up to 3 crew, exploring and discovering the Bay and its tributaries.
Shoreside housing and meals are provided during the program year.
Applicants must possess a minimum USCG license of 25 Ton, Inland. Sail Endorsement preferred. Previous experiential education or leadership training experience is beneficial.
To Apply: Resumes can be sent to Andrew McCown at andrew@ehos.org.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES for Gap Year/Undergraduate/Graduate Students
Interns at Echo Hill Outdoor School work with children of a wide variety of age levels, assist with instructional classes across all curriculum areas, and are given unique opportunities to grow as educators. Interns are most often college students obtaining practical field training to earn academic credit from their college or university. Other individuals who take advantage of our internship program include young adults taking a gap year between high school and college, or candidates interested in pursuing a new career path in outdoor experiential education.