Employment

General Information:

Explorer West Middle School, a small independent middle school in southwest Seattle, seeks qualified Outdoor Educators for its spring program. The program will support our 6th-8th grade students through backpacking, camping, and other experiences that will take students to locations including the Olympic Peninsula, The North Cascades, and Mount Rainier.

Position Description:

Adventure is inherently risky, but when properly managed, it can open up a world of confidence-building and self-reliance. The top priority for any outdoor adventure educator is always the safety of the participants with risk assessment, management, and prevention. Some of the skills you will have the opportunity to work with students on include communication and teamwork, navigation, the art of camping, decision-making skills, LNT/backcountry ethics, assisting with outdoor service projects, following an itinerary, and implementing brief integrated curriculum lessons with a faculty co-leader. In-depth knowledge of all these skills is optional, but understanding basic camping routines and team/group dynamics is necessary. 

Required Qualifications:

• Availability for our trip dates, additional orientation days, and prep days 
• Spring trip and prep dates are June 3-7
• First Aid and CPR certifications (minimum)
• Experience working with youth (preferably middle school)
• Diverse outdoor experience
• Pass Washington State Patrol and OSPI fingerprint background checks

Preferred Qualifications:

• WFA, WFR, or higher medical certification
• Experience teaching LNT and other wilderness outdoor skills
• Experience leading overnight trips in the above regions
• Experience leading overnight trips with middle school-age populations
• Provide a driving record (at the school's expense) and willingness to drive a 7, 12, or 15-passenger van

Compensation:

Pay ranges from $200 - $270 per day (depending on experience and certifications) for three field days, and $150 for orientation/prep day. All outdoor educator positions are open until filled. All outdoor educators are paid immediately upon successful completion of trips or camps. 

If interested, please send a resume to Matt Kostle, Outdoor Education Coordinator, . 

The mission of Explorer West Middle School is to empower young people to explore and grow their unique intellectual, ethical, and creative capabilities, and to treasure diversity and growth in others.

We offer rigorous academics and a diverse range of enrichment programs in a small, vibrant learning environment. Explorer West was founded in 1996 and today enrolls 107 students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Located in West Seattle, the school’s award-winning sustainability and outdoor education programs inspire adolescents to learn how they can positively impact their environment and community. Explorer West graduates become adventurous and confident leaders who flourish, both academically and socially, wherever they go.

We seek a skillful community builder to serve as the Office Manager and Registrar, responsible for running the Front Desk and maintaining student records. This is a unique opportunity to join a small, creative team of educators who are committed to helping middle school students recognize and develop their own capacity. At the front and center of our vibrant school community, the Office Manager and Registrar will be comfortable serving as an essential figure for support and organization of daily operations, and as an ambassador for the school. In this role, as the face of our school, presence on campus, working in person at school is required when school is in session. This is a full-time, non-exempt hourly position, with flexible, reduced hours when school is not in session. 

Principal Responsibilities Include:

Front Desk and Office Management

• Greet all community members and visitors (students and adults) with warmth and a willingness to help.
• Be a conduit for information about the daily operations of the school, maintaining the school calendar, and serving as a “go-to” for questions large and small.
• Provide general office support and administrative assistance for the Head of School, and for Business, Admission, and Development efforts when needed.
• Order and monitor office supplies, and other purchasing duties.
• Help plan and support special school events, and attend occasional school events outside of school hours.
• Provide TLC and assistance when students are unwell, and dispense medications as appropriate.

Registrar

• Maintain all registration and emergency records and school directories.
• Manage student attendance records.
• Manage student evaluations, transcripts, and records for current students.
• Support the organization of incoming student applications, and outgoing applications and records to other schools.

Desired Characteristics, Skills, and Experience of the Ideal Candidate:

• Strong support for the Explorer West mission and program, and a demonstrated ability to embody the values that define our school culture: personal and community responsibility, integrity, creativity and inquiry, confidence, and respect.
• A warm and welcoming personality, cultural competence, and the ability and desire to connect with all members of a diverse community.
• Demonstrated ability to work well both on independent, self-initiated projects and in collaboration with colleagues, and to maintain focus in the midst of a dynamic middle school environment.
• Ability to effectively organize and manage concurrent projects and multiple priorities, while maintaining a sense of humor!
• Highly proficient with technology (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc.) and a willingness to learn more.
• Ability to design and maintain effective systems for managing information, and attend to details.
• Ability to maintain high standards of professionalism, organization, accountability, and confidentiality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• At least two years experience with administrative work. Experience working at a school and/or with middle school-aged students preferred but not required.

Compensation:

An hourly rate of $28 to $35, depending on qualifications and experience, plus full medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits.

To apply:

Send a cover letter and resume (pdf preferred) to . 

Explorer West Middle School does not discriminate on any basis that is protected under federal, state, or municipal law. This policy applies to all areas of student and family concerns (admissions, athletics, educational policies, financial aid, and other school-administered programs) as well as to all areas of employee and volunteer concerns. Explorer West is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).