Portland-Based Educator
Part Time • ELSO, Incorporated
Created in 2015 by two Black women, ELSO, Incorporated provides culturally relevant education and leadership development opportunities that invite youth to Experience Life Science Outdoors (ELSO). Our mission is to catalyze learning and expand access to positive career outcomes for a more just future for all. ELSO seeks to reduce the achievement gap in STEAMED (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, Environment, Design) education and professions while creating a sense of belonging for people in the natural and built environments. ELSO uses a multi-cultural approach to STEAMED education that is rooted in environmental justice and cultural history.
This is a contracted in person student-facing position which will support spring programming related to ELSO’s Consulting Services work and the Youth Climate Education Project through collaborative design and delivery of classroom activities and community engagement events at schools and sites across the Portland-Metro region.
This position supports ELSO’s Workforce Development Programs, working under the Workforce Development Program Manager to co-develop workshops and activities, train and mentor camp guides and interns, and facilitate STEAMED workshops and experiences for youth ages 14-College. The Seasonal Educator will assist with college and high school recruitment efforts for interns and fellows, support program logistics, and contribute to program evaluations and debriefs. This shared role provides a unique opportunity to engage with multiple departments, collaborate on curriculum design, and gain hands-on experience in youth leadership development, community engagement, and workforce pathway programming.
This position is adjacent to ELSO’s Consulting Services Department which works with clients across the nation to educate and support organizations in deepening and furthering their investment, partnership, and engagement with people and communities. This position works adjacent to the Youth Climate Education Project (YCEP), a 4-year project awarded in fall of 2021 by the Portland Clean Energy Fund to create an outdoor learning environment at Prescott Elementary School in NE Portland to activate community resilience and climate education through community engagement and infrastructure development.
Workforce Development-60%
· Collaborate with the Workforce Development Program Manager and Consulting Team to develop lesson plans, activities, and curriculum for programs and training sessions.
· Train and mentor camp guides and interns, providing instructional support and guidance during program sessions.
· Facilitate in-person and hybrid workshops and activities with Interns and Fellows.
· Attend all in-person tours, community events, and workshops to help support Workforce Team.
· Assist with planning and logistics for program sessions, including materials preparation, classroom setup, and activity management.
· Participate in college and high school recruitment efforts to attract interns and fellows for ELSO programs.
· Engage youth in hands-on learning, inquiry-based activities, and service-learning projects.
· Collaborate with Workforce Development Program Manager and other staff to ensure program quality and alignment with learning objectives.
· Participate in program evaluations, debriefs, and feedback sessions to improve curriculum and instructional delivery.
· Maintain a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment for all participants.
Consulting Services - 20%
· Maintain excellent communication and teamwork with consulting services clients
· Participate in regular meeting sessions with key Client staff to follow project work plan and deliverables throughout the contract period
· Maintain communication with Consulting Services Director on successes and challenges of programs and partnerships
· Meet deadlines and attend all planned direct service activities
Lead ongoing direct service programming with youth and community members as written into specific client deliverables. This may include, but is not limited to…
· Develop content for and facilitate informational tables and activities at client-led student & family engagement events such as back to school nights, open houses, block parties, etc. Develop content for and facilitate engaging, student-driven activities during K-8 classroom visits
· Support Subject Matter Experts and the Consulting Services Director in implementing additional community engagement, professional learning opportunities, lesson plans, curriculum, etc. as determined by client scopes of work.
Support Consulting Services Department’s internal work on ELSO curriculum design and implementation
· Continue work on the ongoing curriculum audit and inventory of all existing ELSO-designed curriculum and update as needed to ensure alignment with ELSO’s liberatory approach to teaching and learning, consistency of formatting, and adaptability across themes and programs
· Lead design of programming logistics and content for both Wayfinders Texas and Wayfinders Oregon Summer Camps in collaboration with Camp Leadership and Workforce Program Development Manager, including activity design, materials lists, and recommendations for training camp guides as facilitators
· Engage with 3-4 weeks of Wayfinders Oregon Camp programming in a supportive role, coaching on curriculum implementation and acting as backup activity facilitator 1-2 days per week
Youth Climate Education Project (YCEP) - 10%
· Support engagement with ELSO’s 4-year climate resilience project relationship-building, event support, and direct service at Prescott Elementary
· Work with the Studio Justice Program Director, design firms, and contractors as needed to support overall planning and execution of the YCEP project plan as we prepare to move into year 4 of the project.
Teamwork
· Support maintenance of ELSO branding, supplies, office space, and administrative systems by understanding and following policies, processes, and procedures for supply organization, file storage and naming conventions, branding guidelines, communications logs, departmental budgets, etc.
· Be friendly, accessible, and responsive to the public in all aspects of job duties, including communicating professionally and knowledgeably about ELSO Inc.’s mission, fundraising efforts, and programming.
· Commit to following ELSO, Inc.’s approach to problem-solving both internally as well as with partners, contractors, volunteers, program participants, funders, donors, and the general public.
· Participate in regular staff and planning meetings as needed throughout the life of the contract
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
· At least 2 years of recent experience working directly with youth in a leadership capacity, developing and delivering science and nature-based educational programs independently in a variety of settings
· Current Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification
· Must have reliable transportation across the Portland-Metro area with ability to transport activity supplies to locations in the field throughout the programming season
· Must be able to pass a background check as required by the Oregon Department of Education for positions that work directly with youth (Oregon State Department of Education Disqualifying Crimes 342.143) and have clean driving record for 1 year prior to application
· Proficiency with, or willingness to learn, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat, Google applications such as Gmail, drive, docs, sheets, slides, forms, etc.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
· Comfortable driving a 15-passenger van.
· Background in education, youth development, or relevant STEAMED field.
· Experience mentoring or coaching interns or younger staff.
· Familiarity with hybrid or virtual program delivery.
ELSO, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to developing an organization that is reflective of the diverse communities we serve. ELSO, Inc does not discriminate on the basis of race, class creed, gender, gender expression, religion, sex, nationality, or ability.
ELSO, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to developing an organization that is reflective of the diverse communities we serve. ELSO, Inc does not discriminate on the basis of race, class creed, gender, gender expression, religion, sex, nationality, or ability.
Compensation: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Created in 2015 by two Black women, ELSO Inc. provides culturally relevant education and leadership development opportunities that invite Youth of Color to Experience Life Science Outdoors (ELSO). Our mission is to teach and frame science and nature-based education through a lens that centers and elevates the stories, ways of knowing, individual needs, and lived experiences of Black and Brown communities. ELSO seeks to reduce the achievement gap in STEAMED (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, Environment, Design) education and professions while creating a sense of belonging for Black, Indigenous and People of Color in the natural and built environments. ELSO uses a multi-cultural approach to STEAMED education that is rooted in environmental justice and cultural history. We are demonstrating a model for STEAMED education led by People of Color.
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