The Riekes Center exists for the enhancement of the individual student. Our mission is to provide each student with the best possible opportunity to define and accomplish individual goals, build character and learn transferable life skills through Arts, Fitness and Nature, in an environment of non judgement and mutual respect. We provide these opportunities regardless of the student's ability to pay, or to perform. Each person's uniqueness and potential is celebrated. The Riekes Center thrives on providing transformational outcomes for our students. At the Riekes center, all students, all goals, and all interests are equally important. It's a place where real world diversity thrives and empathy is encouraged. The Core Values of Self Supervision, Honest Communication and Sensitivity to Others are the Center's operational and social standards.

The Riekes Nature Department is seeking lead instructors, assistant instructors, and interns to help lead Nature Education Programs at our various outdoor locations in the California Bay Area. Creating deep connections to nature is the cornerstone of our programs. We nurture these connections while helping students achieve personal goals in this environment. Whether it is learning to identify 20 species of birds by song, how to track coyotes, or how to build a debris shelter, each student follows their own passion in nature. Our instructors mentor students through the art of questioning and share their own individual expertise and passions in natural history subjects.

Responsibilities include: Overseeing safety and instruction for youth during weekly nature programs. Lead youth on exploration, learning, and activities. Work with additional instructors to plan and implement programs. Develop weekly lesson plans in cooperation with other staff for outdoor activities. Assist with organization, planning, and pre/post program logistics. 

Experience in youth mentoring, ideally in a nature setting. Appreciation for the Magic that nature offers. Experience with environmental education and/or nature-connection mentoring skills. Knowledge and skills with hands-on wild crafting and bush craft skills, tracking, mapping, hazards of the region, bird language, and local flora and fauna identification. 

Applicants must have good communication skills and professionalism with parents and youth. Strong group management and safety skills required. 1 st Aid/CPR certification is a plus. 

Please apply if you are seriously interested, even if you do not have all these skills. We are willing to help you learn and grow. On the job training opportunities, “dirt time” in the field, outside enrichment, and occasional staff workshops will help fill in any of the gaps.

Hours/Location: Because of the variety of the programs that we offer, we have opportunities for Home School instructors (8:30am-4pm M-F), School Program Instructors (Weekly), and After School (3-5pm) and Weekend Program Instructors. Our programs are located in Woodside, Menlo Park, Santa Cruz, and Monterey, California.There are also opportunities for aspiring and driven instructors to create new programs. The ideal candidate will be able to commit to 1-2 days of instruction per week, with opportunities for more days/hours as desired.

If you are interested in working with us, we likely have a program, day, and location that will work for you. Please include your ideal work arrangement along with your application.

Pay and Benefits: $15-$25/hour depending on experience and position. Travel stipends, gym memberships, arts and music lessons, and training allowances are all possible depending on commitment, fit, and position. Volunteer & internship positions are also available.