McDowell Environmental Center

 

UPDATES: Hiring for Fall 2024!

 

Hiring:

 
 
 

Environmental Education Instructor


 

Come help us share our 1,140 acres of forests, streams, waterfalls, and canyons in northwest Alabama with groups of students from all over the Southeast. Work with the students to foster a sense of community as well as an appreciation, understanding, and responsibility for our environment. Students of the McDowell Environmental Center come from a variety of backgrounds and visit our Center for two, three or four-day programs. These students are mostly 3rd-8th grade students, but can range from 2nd-12th grade. 

Teach engaging, hands-on classes in the great outdoors, i.e., aquatic ecology, forest ecology, map & compass skills, earth science, Indigenous history, canoeing, team building, and high ropes. Adapt the established lesson plans to match your teaching style and strengths. Assist with program and curriculum development. Lead evening programs such as campfire, night hikes, astronomy, and live animal programs. 

Work with a team of passionate and friendly individuals from all across the country. Work week is Monday-Friday with all weekends off. Building a strong and cohesive team is a cornerstone of our program. Two weeks of paid staff training provided, as well as a variety of professional development opportunities throughout the season. 

We staff new Seasonal Instructors each Fall and each Spring school semester. We welcome applications year-round for the upcoming season.

Fall Dates: August 21 - December 17, 2024

 

General Qualifications: 

The ideal candidate will: 

  • Have a demonstrated respect and affinity for children and a desire to help them learn and grow in an outdoor environment. 

  • Have the following characteristics: enthusiasm, maturity, initiative, sense of humor, flexibility and team spirit. 

  • Be familiar with the outdoors and environmental issues. 

  • Possess or obtain certifications in CPR and First Aid.

  • Be 21 years or older. 

  • All employees will undergo a background check once hired.

Employment Details:

  • All instructors have fully furnished private bedrooms, shared bathroom, access to community kitchen, living room, laundry machines, and large porches with rocking chairs. 

  • $350 per week paid twice a month (bi-weekly) 

  • Discount on Alabama Folk School Craft and Music Classes 

  • Access to multiple industry pro deals 

  • Full use of camp facilities when not in use by groups (climbing wall, pools, canoes, hiking trails) 

If interested, email a cover letter, resume and three professional references to mecdirector@campmcdowell.org

 

Additional Information About McDowell Environmental Center

The McDowell Environmental Center (MEC) is a unique learning experience for thousands of students and teachers throughout the region every year. More than a walk a woods, this non-sectarian program welcomes all students regardless of race, religion, or gender. Many classes can be adapted to accommodate individuals with special needs. Schools typically come for three days and two nights to learn knowledge and skills from excellent instructors that are impossible to find in a classroom.

Our mission is to connect people to their environment, teach respect for the Earth and its beings, and to promote a commitment to lifelong learning.Instruction and activities take place outside, among forests, canyons, and streams, where students can see and feel exactly what they are being taught. Respect for the environment, recycling fundamentals, team building, confidence enrichment, and zero-waste concepts are only some of the life-skills students are empowered with upon leaving. The program sessions are in-line with the state educational curriculum of Alabama and some surrounding states.