Job Title: Assistant & Lead Preschool Teacher
Business Unit: Ketcha Outdoors
Location: Scarborough Campus
Department: Farm & Forest School
Job Type: Both full-time & part-time positions are available, as well as both seasonal and year-round positions as of February 7, 2025:
- Seasonal, part-time assistant teaching position for summer 2025 (16 hours/week)
- Year-round, full-time assistant teaching position beginning August 25, 2025 (32 hours/week, with potential options to extend to 40 hours/week).
- Year-round, full-time lead teaching position beginning August 25, 2025 (40 hours/week. This position is tentative and is contingent on us hitting our new enrollment goals for the Fall 2025 school year).
Reports To: Farm & Forest School Director
Farm & Forest School Preschool Teachers will design and facilitate curriculum and activities that support children in fostering an intimate connection to the natural world and local community while developing cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. Teachers are responsible for the supervision and care of students, ensuring their safety in our outdoor preschool program. They are expected to engage parents and families throughout the year.
What You’ll Do:
- Thoughtfully design activities and materials to enhance children’s play.
- Lead children in outdoor, nature-based activities and learning, including hikes, ecology lessons, swimming, low ropes elements, and more.
- Support and manage student behaviors so that all students can engage meaningfully in learning in a calm, regulated environment.
- Manage risk and always stay aware of student safety, actively supervising all students in your care.
- Document attendance, behavior incidents, accidents/injuries, and other information as directed by your supervisor.
- Communicate with families and other staff about children, their day, and their needs in a positive and respectful manner.
- Classroom care, including organization of materials and cleaning as directed by your supervisor.
- Lead Teachers: Assess and document students’ growth and development, using the portfolio method as directed by the Preschool Director.
- Year-round teachers: Be a lifelong learner by engaging in regular professional development to expand, improve, and refine your teaching practice.
Who We’re Looking For:
Experienced educators or childcare workers who:
- Treat children as competent and capable human beings.
- Respect and practice curiosity about children’s interests and play.
- Convey joy, curiosity, and wonder outdoors in all weather (e.g. sun, rain, snow, wind, etc.)
- Are passionate and knowledgeable about the outdoors and nature-based learning.
- Have a deep understanding of early childhood development, stages of growth, and an awareness of young children’s needs.
- Can think creatively and flexibly to adapt to quickly changing needs and environments.
- Are highly organized and detail-oriented.
- Have a high degree of integrity and dependability.
- Display initiative and proactive, solution-oriented problem-solving skills.
- Are able to work efficiently both independently and collaboratively with other staff while multitasking.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Background:
- Pass a fingerprinting-based background check through the Maine State Department of Health & Human Services.
- Pass a background check, which will include the National Sex Offender Registry, that is sent to you by Ketcha Outdoors upon offer of employment.
Education & Certifications:
- Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or similar is preferred. High School Diploma, GED, or HiSET is required.
- You must be 18 years of age or older.
- First Aid/CPR Certification or willingness to get certified.
- Mandated reporter training certification or willingness to get certified.
Compensation:
$15-23/hour, depending on your MRTQ Level and position
Year Round Employee Benefits:
- 80% employer-paid health insurance plan
- 100% employer-paid dental, vision plan and STD insurance plan
- 20 paid vacation days, 5 personal days and 11 paid holidays
- Simple IRA plan with a 3% match when criteria are met
- Discounts on summer camp, preschool, afterschool and vacation camp programs.
- Discounts on new and used bikes, bike parts, bike gear and outdoor gear
To Apply: Please email your resume and cover letter to Liz Tully at jobs@ketchaoutdoors.org with the subject line: Preschool Teacher.
Ketcha Outdoors is an equal opportunity employer. Due to the vulnerable nature of the people we serve we require a background check.
At Ketcha Outdoors, not only do we embrace and celebrate the diversity of our families and participants, but we also strive for the same in our employees. At Ketcha Outdoors, we are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status, or other class protected by applicable law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.