Sustainable Summer is searching for a talented sustainability educator to join our 2023 instructional team for our NYC program based out of the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. This is a 2-week position commencing on June 24th and ending July 8, 2023. Approximately 20 hours of pre-program lesson planning and collaboration will be required and can be completed on your own schedule.

The Program Instructor will work closely with the NYC Program Director and the rest of our NYC program staff to run this intensive sustainability leadership and innovation program for our cohort of students.

Housing is available, if needed.

If you’re looking for summer employment and share our passion for experiential learning, youth leadership development, and sustainability, we encourage you to review the below job description and apply.

Working at Sustainable Summer:

Sustainable Summer designs and facilitates environmental leadership programs for high school students. Our programs focus on project-based learning, applied sustainability, and personal growth and discovery. Our program staff is key to both our organization’s and our students’ success. If you have a deep commitment to progressive education, developing youth leadership, and sustainability, we’d love to hear from you. 

Compensation: 

• Wages of $4000 for the employment term (June 24 - July 8). 
• Three meals daily.
• Housing is available, if needed

You:

• Are a highly responsible and energetic educator with a minimum of two years experience (either field-based or classroom-based) as a sustainability educator
• Are familiar with a wide range of sustainability issues and efforts in NYC 
• You have academic training in a field related to sustainability, but are also broadly knowledgeable of the natural sciences and socioeconomic dimensions of sustainable development and climate change
• Are knowledgeable of and committed to addressing environmental, social, and economic justice issues
• Are passionate about sustainability education and developing youth leadership
• Are professional, adaptable, resourceful, proactive, and independent
• Are comfortable leading, but recognize opportunities to enable and empower others to lead
• Enjoy spending time with motivated high school students
• Enjoy working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Enjoy being challenged and learning
• Have strong organizational and time management skills
• Have demonstrable experience managing risk within the contexts of our learning environments 
• Have outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with youth
• Value diversity, both human and planetary

Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor’s degree in a sustainability-related field.
• Prior experience as an experiential educator, teacher, or education professional is required. 
• Demonstrable knowledge of sustainability and sustainable development, particularly as these concepts relate to NYC. 
• Demonstrable experience serving as positive role models for youth.
• Current CPR/Basic First Aid certifications are required and we will reimburse for candidates needing to certify/recertify. Wilderness First Aid or WFR is desirable. 
• Applicants must be sufficiently physically and emotionally fit to easily participate in all course activities as represented on our website. An ability to maintain energy, strength, and focus to assist students with physical and emotional support is required. 
• Legally permitted to work in the United States.
• A criminal background check will be required prior to employment.
• Willing to work a non-traditional schedule, including evenings and weekends.

Preferred Experience: 

• A graduate degree in a sustainability-related field.
• At least two years of experience working with high school age students as a sustainability educator.
• Experience with design thinking or human-centered design.
• Experience with project-based learning.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Deliver instruction from core curriculum including sessions on sustainability concepts, climate change, and human-centered design (training provided);
• Directly supervise, instruct, support, and mentor high school-age students during the program; participate in activities; facilitate discussion about curricular concepts; 
• Collaboratively develop and plan program, including field activities, site visits, and instruction;
• Facilitate positive group dynamics and foment a culture of risk awareness, inclusivity, and mutual respect;
• Be familiar with program regulations, risk management protocols and enforce program policies as necessary (training provided);
• Serve as positive role model to students;
• Prep for and lead at least one workshop session on either a sustainability content area (energy, agriculture, etc) as well as assist other staff with other course areas and support students with project-based work;
• Complete student and program evaluations at termination of each program session;
• Attend daily staff meeting;
• Be punctual and aware of programming logistics and details;
• Be an active and visible member of the program team, including and specifically, during student free time and evening hours;
• Participate fully in all course activities as represented on our website;
• Provide students with physical and emotional support as needed;
• Able to carry loads up to 20 lbs;
• Ability to perform a variety of tasks outside in various weather conditions.

Employment Dates & Details:

This is a seasonal position commencing on Saturday June 24th and ending Saturday July 8th with approximately 20 hours of prep and planning that can be completed on your own schedule prior to the dates in question. Student programming begins June 25th. This position was conceived with a NYC-based educator in mind, but we can provide housing for the right person who is otherwise qualified.  

Important Note About Work Hours and Conditions:

Specific responsibilities will vary from day-to-day and can be irregular, and are shared by all staff members operating as a team. You should anticipate being committed to the program from 8am to 10pm every day with few exceptions. Working conditions include outdoor environments in various weather conditions and busy urban contexts. Traveling throughout the city by subway is a regular part of a typical program day. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

TO APPLY: Apply online at sustainablesummer.org/employment. Applications will be accepted through April 1st or until the position is filled.

We value diversity — in background and lived experience. A healthy ecosystem is incredibly biologically diverse. We similarly believe that a healthy community respects and values human diversity. Sustainable Learning Inc is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability.