Program Director

The nonprofit Association for Nature-Based Education (ANBE) is hiring an enthusiastic, experienced Program Director for Notchcliff Nature Programs in Glen Arm, MD. This is a full-time, 40-hour/week position that requires daily, on-site supervision and support for teachers and families engaged in our playful, immersive outdoor programs are a wonderful way for children to make lasting connections with the natural world as part of their home school study.

The Program Director oversees the implementation of Notchcliff Nature Programs at Glen Meadows Retirement Community. Programs include: forest preschool (ages 3-5), homeschool programs (K-5th grades), caregiver/child classes (birth to age 3 with caregiver), monthly intergenerational programs with seniors, licensed summer nature camps, and others as applicable. The Program Director will also teach select classes (i.e. weekly Seedlings Caregiver & Child Nature Series).

The Program Director provides on-site support to teachers, children, and families five days/per week, which is a vital way to mentor teaching staff, ensure coverage in classes at all times, and be present to lend support as needed. This role requires supervision of staff, engagement with families, establishing rapport with children, and coordination with partner organizations. Management of materials is key in this 100% outdoor learning environment, as is oversight of the natural physical spaces used for programming, for which the Program Director is also responsible.

Other essential tasks include working with teachers to implement thoughtful curriculum design based on children’s emergent interests, on-going reflection about and assessment of children and the forest school program, and collaboration with staff and/or volunteers. The Program Director will also interface with the Executive Director and Board regarding various aspects of Notchcliff such as: policies, advocacy, growth initiatives, strategic planning, marketing, development, and budget.

Program Director will create a supportive work culture and establish systems that empower teachers to grow professionally as nature-based educators. The Program Director will engage in reflective evaluation of teachers to identify needs of teaching staff and plan PD activities to that end. The Program Director sets the tone for learning as an engaged, enthusiastic role model of nature-based education while maintaining a safe, positive atmosphere for outdoor learning.

This position requires a blend of qualifications that span having sound knowledge about early childhood education as well as nature-based pedagogy. Candidates should possess curiosity, if not deep understanding, of the local ecosystem with a commitment to helping young children develop their ecological identities through inquiry and play.

This position requires personal and programmatic reflection, collaboration with teachers and parents, open dialogue about children’s progress, and interfacing with Glen Meadows Retirement Community partners and residents. Position also includes drafting a program budget, tracking expenses, writing content for grants, providing program data/reports, and other related duties as required.

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:

• Oversee all aspects of programming that takes place at Notchcliff Nature Programs, including direct support and oversight of staff and volunteers.
• Manage program administration including new MD Outdoor Preschool Licensing pilot regulations, registration, health and safety policies, camp licensing, prospective family tours, etc.
• Plan and implement various community-building initiatives with families, staff, and local partners (i.e. Community Service/Garden Days; Elderflowers Nature Series; Harvest Days, Earth Day Fairy Fest, etc.)
• Manage materials and equipment; request/order new materials as needed.
• Plan and facilitate immersive outdoor experiences for young children as a lead teacher, which includes maintaining a safe, loving environment with safety routines that protect yet empower children and staff
• Nurture individualized needs of children while managing whole group experiences and unstructured play in the forest.
• Provide support to ensure set-up/break-down of outdoor classroom spaces as needed (hands-washing station, fire ring, toilet tent, etc.).
• Utilize an emergent curriculum plan, daily ‘sketch of the day’ based on children’s and seasonal interests, and loosely refer to other curriculum and standards such as the Nature-Based Preschool Professional Practices Guidebook and Excellence in EEECE by NAAEE.
• Model and participate in authentic child assessment, self-evaluation, and program evaluation; perform teacher evaluations annually.
• Maintain student:staff ratios for classes, coordinate teacher coverage, and substitute as needed.
• Engage in communications to promote Notchcliff Nature Programs (i.e. website, FB, Instagram, Storypark)
• Provide support for marketing initiatives (i.e. in-person festivals such as Arts in the Park, homeschool fairs, etc.)
• Other duties that support families, children, and staff will also be assigned as needed.

Collaborative duties with fellow staff:

• Document learning processes in many formats for children’s portfolios (written documentation, photos, content for blog/FB posts, Instagram, ANBE and Notchcliff websites, etc.).
• Provide positive guidance to children in navigating their social interactions with peers and adults.
• Maintain friendly yet professional interpersonal communication skills with children, families, staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors
• Participate in staff meetings and on-going professional development

Essential Experience & Education

• Possess bachelor’s degree in nature-based early childhood education, environmental studies, outdoor education, natural history, biology, elementary education, or closely related field (Master’s preferred)
• Minimum of three years of experience leading outdoor education or forest school programs, with emphasis on experiential outdoor learning, coyote mentoring/8 shields model, flow learning, and emergent curriculum approaches
• Hold valid credentials to work in an MSDE-licensed preschool program (90-hour certificate)*
• Hold valid credentials to direct a licensed preschool or early learning program in Maryland*
• Possess the following credentials, certifications, or licenses: Current first aid and CPR credentials (Wilderness First Responder preferred)
• Must pass background check, child abuse clearances, and drug test before starting employment
• Significant experience working with young children
• 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; Master Gardener or Master Naturalist certification (not required but preferred)
• The 90-hour certificate is made up of two 45-hour courses: one called Human Growth/Child Development and one called Curriculum Development/Materials and Methods (offered in person and online). Please indicate if you have or are pursuing this qualification. Many outdoor educators do not have this credential, but we can work with you if it is in progress. The Director’s Course is also available to take online prior to starting this position.

Classes are entirely outdoors, so you must be experienced and eager to facilitate outdoor learning in all seasons.

Read full job description at naturalcommunity.org/jobs