Behere Lead Guides

Location:
Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Ojai, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Valley, Goleta, Camarillo, Ventura
Employment type:
Part Time

Overview

Bēhere is pioneering a homeschool revolution, one where parents can still outsource for some group-based learning to a caring team that prioritizes the emotional wellness of the child above all else. At Bēhere, we honor the whole child; our outdoor program is a wonderful way for children to learn and forge friendships as part of their home school study. We focus on social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills and weave in some language arts, math, and engineering through group journaling, exploration, loose parts projects, arts/crafts and handwork. We cultivate emotional intelligence, confidence, gratitude, empathy, and consideration woven into nature-based stories (oral and written) and learning games and activities.

This position is for a Lead Guide who will be supported by 1-2 Jr. Guides/ Volunteers and will lead a class of 12-18 homeschooled children ages 5-10 (majority ages 6-9) in a 100% outdoor environment. 

Job description

The Lead Guide works closely with the Founder and Jr. Guides to lesson plan a thematic overview structure for the session and executes deeper detailed lesson plans per class. Tasks include thoughtful curriculum design based on Waldorf, Forest School and SEL Inspired resources and most importantly, include the ongoing examination of the children’s interests and personalities. The Lead Guide will manage and support Jr Guide staff and/or volunteers as needed. Lead Guides set the tone for learning as engaged, positive and enthusiastic role models who enjoy learning, children and nature. 

This position requires a blend of qualifications that span from knowledge in early childhood education, social-emotional, positive discipline, and nature-based pedagogy. Experience teaching to groups of 10 or more children in a camp or outdoor enrichment setting is ideal versus academic classroom settings, but we welcome all types of “teachers” who have a love of learning and children to be a part of this journey. Academic teaching credentials are not required, but can be a plus as long as the candidate remains flexible and can customize their approach to suit the child(ren) versus trying to force an institutional teaching style into this one-room classroom outdoors. The ideal candidate will possess curiosity, if not deep appreciation for nature and being in the outdoors and have a love for arts and hands-on projects.

The ideal candidate will:

●  Be passionate about educating children in nature.

●  Be self-motivated and self-directed with the flexibility to work independently and
collaboratively as part of a team.

●  Have strong leadership abilities and excellent interpersonal skills, organizational, and time-management skills.

●  Be a skilled communicator, guided by a desire to listen to and speak compassionately with both children and adults.

●  Feel comfortable and confident about meeting the needs of children outdoors in all seasons.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

●  Responsible for planning and facilitating immersive outdoor experiences for young children with the a lot of guidance and support from the Founder. 

●  Nurture individualized needs of children while managing whole group guided lessons and experiences balanced with unstructured play in the outdoors.

●  Daily set-up/break-down of outdoor classroom (loading up bins and gear back into staff cars) 

●  Utilize an emergent, customized curriculum plan, daily ‘sketch of the day’ based on children’s and seasonal interests

●  Manage materials and equipment request/orders with the founder 

●  Participate in ongoing feedback to the founder and parents regarding child assessments, and program evaluation.

●  Other duties that support families, children, and staff will also be assigned as needed.

Essential Experience & Education

●  Minimum of two years of experience leading group based education and/or enrichment  programs

●  Possess the following credentials, certifications, or licenses: Current first aid and CPR credentials

●  Must pass background check (DOJ and FBI) prior to starting 

●  Experience working with young children as appropriate for the classes you will teach

●  Physically able to hike, carry gear, and carry a small child if needed (up to 50 lbs)

●  Naturalist background with knowledge of local ecology, flora, and fauna a huge plus 

Most Desirable Qualities

●  Love of children

●  Love of nature

●  A strong work ethic with a track record of being reliable, honest, and kind

●  Ability to laugh, remain calm, and persevere when faced with challenges

●  Patient, positive disposition

●  Eager to grow and learn with others

Salary


This is a part-time, hourly position with pay of $40 an hour and additional planning budgets allotted as needed outside of class hours. 

  • NOTE: At this time, we’re seeking employment for our Thursday class from 9:30am - 1:30pm, starting in January, possibly subbing days in December, and we may be able to extend additional hours during the week if the candidate desires more hours. 

Apply
This job description offers guidelines for the position, not hard and fast rules. If you have 75% of the qualifications listed, we encourage you to apply! Send your resume to brooke@behere.re . If hired, you will complete a background check, fingerprinting, and come to a day of paid shadowing and training prior to the official start.