Summer Educator (Camping and Backcountry), Youth Programs (Temporary)

Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

Job Location:

San Francisco, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: Yesterday

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summer Educator (Camping and Backcountry) Youth Programs

OrganizationDescription:

Since 1981 the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Parks Conservancy) has served as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service collaborating with the Presidio Trust partners donors and the community to support the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The GGNRA stretches across three Bay Area counties north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge and includes iconic places such as Muir Woods National Monument Fort Point National Historic Site Alcatraz Island Crissy Field Mori Point Lands End and the Presidio of San Francisco.

The Parks Conservancy engages at the intersection of national park sites local communities social justice and climate resilience. Collaborating with partners our staff are dedicated to enhancing public awareness and providing volunteer and educational opportunities in the parks. We are park builders caretakers ambassadors and educators all working to connect people to parks in support of our vision Parks for All Forever. Join us.

Department Description:

Conservancy Youth Programs encourage new generations to become bold leaders for thriving parks healthy communities and a more environmentally just society. We prioritize individuals groups and communities that national parks and conservation organizations have failed to previously engage. Our programs focus on learning about social and environmental issues and building leadership skills that can contribute to positive change. Our department is located at the Crissy Field Center in the Presidio San Francisco.

Position Overview:

The primary focus of this position is co-facilitating the Queer Belonging Backpacking Adventure program (QBBA) a two-week long backpacking field studies course for queer and trans youth of color and allies during the month of June. This position will be in-person at the Crissy Field Center in the Presidio Rob Hill Campground and the backcountry in the GGNRA and Point Reyes National Seashore and in communities of the youth we July this position will support two other Summer leadership programs including LINC (high school conservation program) and UTB (middle school leadership program) on camping trips.

Term for this position is June 1 Aug 7 2026
Pay: $26.50/hr
Target Program Participants:12 High School students who identify as Queer Trans and Youth of Color and allies.
Work schedule: This position will work a varying schedule including 6 nights overnight trip
Reports to one of the Youth Programs Managers.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Development and Delivery

Leads youth participants in outdoor activities such as hiking backpacking camping team-building activities art and reflection wellness leadership development service learning and environmental education lessons.
Delivers project-based learning curriculum for youth.
Facilitates in-classroom activities and presentations.
If applicable delivers programs in languages other than English.
Assists with lesson planning.
Facilitates overnight camping trips with youth. Assists with program planning for overnight programs.
Creates a physically and emotionally safe space for youth to engage in the outdoors
Prepares materials for activities. Cleans up after activities.
Drives work vehicles and is responsible for passenger safety and supervision during transport.

Youth Mentorship and Supervision

Supports program managers in developing short-term and long-term goals for youth. Supports youth in developing and completing work plans.
Models healthy and supportive behavior for youth participants.
Facilitates activities that support the growth of leadership and career skills for youth participants.
With guidance from program managers provides positive and constructive feedback to youth.

Collaboration

Supports program managers in planning and scheduling with program partners.
Supports program managers in youth participant outreach.
Supports with program documentation evaluation and reporting.
Supports with program administration and logistics including using online systems such as Microsoft Office and Google Drive.
Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Commitment to education youth development and social justice.
Knowledge of environmental justice issues. Ability to make connections between environmental and social issues. Commitment to supporting youth-led advocacy.
Ability to connect with diverse groups of youth especially middle school and high school aged youth. Interest and ability to make curriculum relevant to youth audiences. Understanding of issues related to the urban environment as well as current local regional and global events that may impact youths home communities.
Willingness to work with communities historically excluded from environmental experiences and careers in the Bay Area including low income and BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) communities.
Teamwork: Ability to contribute to group goals and organizational mission. Ability to relate effectively to others when encountering difficult situations. Can collaboratively support curriculum refinement and brainstorm lesson plan ideas. Ability to collaborate and co-lead programs. Ability to balance team and individual responsibilities.
Good Judgment: Can exhibit sound and accurate judgment. Able to analyze calculated risks while prioritizing the safety of both staff and youth. Includes appropriate staff and/or community members in the decision-making process.
Flexibility: Can comfortably shift priorities as the teams needs change. Can work in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments. Can adapt to a flexible work schedule that does include some evening weekend and overnight work (camping trips primarily). Able to change or adapt programs on the spot based on youth needs.
Ability to stay positive energetic and creative during program planning and implementation.
Ability to take initiative and recognize what tasks need to be done.
Ability to receive direction and feedback in a constructive manner.
Ability to stay organized and pay attention to detail.
Leadership: exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well.

Education and Desired Experience:

High School Diploma or equivalent.
Two seasons of leading backcountry programming camping and other outdoor trips
Experience working with diverse groups of youth. This includes multiple dimensions of diversity such as race/ethnicity income language physical ability sexuality gender identity and neurodiversity.
Experience or education in environmental education child and youth development recreation or other related fields.
Knowledge of environmental and social issues especially those issues affecting underserved Bay Area youth.
Multilingual preferred: Able to speak language(s) other than English that are spoken by Bay Area communities Spanish preferred.
Capacity to work outdoors in all kinds of weather and site conditions.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Due to the nature of this position we require the Live Scan fingerprint clearance in addition to the standard pre-employment background check.
Competent in the use of Microsoft Office (Outlook SharePoint etc.).

Licenses:

Valid Drivers License with 2 years of driving experience. Employees must have a clean driving record. Commercial Drivers License with passenger endorsement a plus
First Aid CPR and Epinephrine auto injector certifications- will assist upon hire.

Health and Safety:

It is the goal of the Parks Conservancy to create and maintain a safe and healthy workplace. We work to mitigate hazards and risks that may cause harm to employees consistent with state and federal laws. Employees play an active role in creating a safe and healthy workplace and are expected to comply with all applicable health and safety rules.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

Work is performed in multiple settings including at a desk in an office in front of a computer in indoor teaching spaces such as classrooms and in outdoor settings such as parks.
Ability to backpack 8-10 miles on uneven terrain.
Work is often performed standing or walking with a backpack.
Frequently lifts carries and positions objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
Occasionally sits at a computer station for up to 3-4 hours.

Pay Rate and Benefits:

This is an unbenefited Temporary Seasonal position working an average of 40 hours per week. Overtime is paid for any hours exceeding 8 hours in one day. The pay rate is $26.50/hour (Pay Grade 14).

To apply: In lieu of a cover letter please submit your resume and include the written answers to all of the questions below. Please limit each answer to a maximum of 150 words

Please describe what interests you about this position. What about the responsibilities audience program or organization is attractive to you
Please describe your most relevant previous experience(s) working with youth. What makes you a good candidate for this position
What are at least two ways you would hope to grow by being in this position Why are these growth areas important to you
What talents skills or interests do you have that you would like to bring to our team

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Application review will be reviewed starting in February. Applications received after March 15 may not be considered. Past Parks Conservancy and One Tam staff and youth program participants (I-YEL REYL Project WISE and LINC) are strongly encouraged to apply.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Recruitment placement and promotions are conducted without regard to an individuals race color religion sex national origin age physical handicap veteran status or sexual orientation or any other classification protected by Federal State and local laws & ordinances. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Required Experience:

Summer Educator (Camping and Backcountry) Youth ProgramsOrganizationDescription:Since 1981 the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Parks Conservancy) has served as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service collaborating with the Presidio Trust partners donors and the community to suppor...