Outdoor Educator

Looking for a job that combines teaching, adventure, and the outdoors? Spend your season at Tanglewood 4-H Learning Center, leading youth in environmental education, canoe trips, campfires, and community building. You’ll gain real-world experience, build leadership skills, and make lasting memories all while working in one of Maine’s most beautiful outdoor classrooms.

Statement of the Job:

This is a full-time position, April 13, 2026 - October 20, 2026, as part of a team of educators. Outdoor Educators lead and support environmental and outdoor learning programs for youth at Tanglewood 4-H Camp. The role combines teaching, adventure, and leadership to help students explore nature, develop confidence, and strengthen teamwork skills in a supportive outdoor setting. We seek staff to join us for the entire program season from mid-April through late October, but we are open to discussing shorter one-season options or seasonal combinations. Specific role determinations will be made as part of the hiring process and through discussions based on your skills, interests, and abilities. Stipend is $15,000 - $15,750 for about 30 weeks, including paid training, paid in bi-weekly installments. We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.
Complete Job Description

• Spring Appointment: Mid-April through early June 2026; educators focus on our Open Air Classroom programs with school, working primarily with 2nd-10th grade students in day and overnight programming at Tanglewood or supporting day and after-school programs at Blueberry Cove. Monday through Friday with some evenings (1-2 nights per week, no later than 9 PM) and weekend work.
• Summer Appointment: Mid-June through mid-August 2026; educators serve in various roles during summer programs, including program coordinators (unit leaders or as the health care provider), overnight camp educators, day camp educators, and/or leadership instructors/trip leaders. You will reside on-site with campers in shared housing throughout the season, with structured time off each week.
• Fall Appointment: Early-September through late October 2026; programs run similarly to the Spring season. Monday through Friday with some evenings (1-2 nights per week, no later than 9 PM) and weekend work.

Qualifications:
Required:

• You have a High school diploma or equivalent.
• You have a valid US driver’s license and are eligible to be authorized and approved as a university driver based on the Driver Administration Policy. 
• This camp is licensed by the State of Maine. You must meet the State of Maine requirement for driving vehicles, "Drivers of vehicles carrying campers must be at least 21 years of age and be approved by the camp’s auto liability insurer’s agent." 

Preferred: 

• You hold a certification: 
  • Basic First Aid/CPR
  • Lifeguard Certification
  • Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or First Responder (WFR) Certification
  • Small Craft Water Safety Certification
• You have experiential education experience with youth, preferably in an outdoor setting
• You know ecological concepts and natural history
• With or without accommodation, you can lead groups outdoors over various terrains with 35+ lbs. packs for extended days and the ability to assist in carrying canoes (85 lb.) with others in a variety of weather conditions.
• You demonstrate responsible and safe decision-making skills, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience during programming.
• You have a genuine motivation to work with children of all ages in a vibrant, high-energy outdoor setting where every day is an adventure.
• Degree in environmental science, education, adventure education, childcare, or a willingness to learn and self-teach new skills
• Experience facilitating team-building initiatives, as well as course activities
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions while managing the needs of all participants 

About Tanglewood 4-H Learning Center:
The 4-H Camp and Learning Centers provide environmentally focused programs for Maine youth and families. Our mission is to teach youth and adults to be effective and caring citizens of the earth through affordable environmental education and fun nature-based experiences. Tucked into a parcel of Camden Hills State Park, campers and counselors join together to form a creative community fostering a supportive and fun environment for all — and drawing people back year after year! While having fun and experiencing the joys of being a part of the natural world, we emphasize community living, respect for all, and healthy relationships. Summer at Tanglewood is filled with the wonderful energy of young people living and playing together outdoors. Our programs encourage everyone to be themselves, learn from those around them, and make good decisions. Tanglewood’s summer offerings include overnight camps for 8 to 14-year-olds, day camps for 5 to 10-year-olds, hunter safety camps in conjunction with Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, discovery trips featuring canoeing and backpacking, and multi-week leadership programs for teens 14-17.

Other Information:

To be considered for this position you will need to “Apply” and upload the documentation listed below:

1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position

2.) a resume/curriculum vitae

Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for references.

Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

These applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through August 1, 2026. 

For questions about the search, please contact the hiring manager: Reed Bridge-Koenigsberg, [email protected]

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.
 

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may view the University’s Annual Security Report. If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.