Job Description: SEASONAL NATURALIST
Program: Environmental Education & Outreach
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Primary Site: Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, Oakland CA
Status: Part-Time / Temporary
Pay Range: $30.00 - $40.00 per hour
Nurture NATURE is a small environmental and social minded business based in Oakland, California (unceded Huichin). Through environmental education, conservation, stewardship, and climate justice collaboration, Nurture NATURE encourages children, youth, and adults to have living, loving, learning relationships with local ecosystems and communities. We offer education, outreach, and consulting programs and services. We are currently hiring Part-Time Seasonal Naturalists for our next year of programs (2025 - 2026). Nurture NATURE is contracted by the Port of Oakland to provide outreach and education services at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park (MHSP) located in the Port of Oakland. Through this partnership, we annually serve over 2,000 students and community members from the Bay Area with naturalist led programs and special stewardship events. For more information about our offerings, please visit our website at https://www.nurture-nature.org/.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Nurture NATURE will hire up to 5 temporary part-time Seasonal Naturalists to lead environmental education programs, primarily based at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, in-class and/or on-line, for school groups, youth groups and the general public. In our environmental education programs, Naturalists conduct activities that inform and engage school children and the public about historic, natural and scientiic features of local parks and are responsible for creating welcoming and inclusive educational spaces for youth and community members to explore and nurture their connection with nature, learn about and care for our local environment. As a team and as a school- and public-serving program, Nurture NATURE is committed to equity, cultural relevance and respectful relations.
PROGRAMS & SITES
Nurture NATURE’s education team primarily utilizes Middle Harbor Shoreline Park as an outdoor classroom. Coastal site-based programs include Bay Discovery! (Grades K-1), Mountains to Mud! (Grade 2), M.A.D. About Adaptations! (Grade 3), and A.B.C.’s of a Wetland (Grades 4 - 5), and others for older grades. Field trips are typically preceded by Pre-Trips in -class or on-line). Three annual shoreline stewardship events include: Coastal Cleanup Day, this year on September 20, 2025 (third Saturday of September); MLK, Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 20th, 2026 and Earth Day Shoreline Cleanup on April 19, 2026 (third Saturday in April).
Middle Harbor Shoreline Park (MHSP) is in West Oakland, CA along San Francisco Bay estuary. This beautiful shoreline park, built by the Port of Oakland, comprises thirty-eight acres and more than two miles of pathway encircling the Middle Harbor Basin. It is a public place for learning about local history, the natural environment, maritime activities, international trade and environmental stewardship. Situated in the center of an active container seaport, the park provides shoreline access with gorgeous views of the bay, natural and naturalized habitats, and maritime activity. Subsidized educational programs and public outreach are conducted especially for adjacent Oakland schools and are open to all schools in the Bay Area thanks to support from the Port of Oakland.
Virtual programs, such as Meet the Canada Geese of Middle Harbor (Grade 1), Oakland Rocks! (Grade 2), Marvelous Mud lats (3rd grade), West Oakland to the World (Grade 4), and Turn the Tide on Shoreline Pollution (Grade 5+) are delivered online (via Zoom) and either precede an On-Site field trip or are presented as a stand-alone Virtual Field Trip. Seasonal Naturalists may be assigned to assist or lead In-Class Pre-Trips, Virtual Pre-Trips or Virtual Field Trips on-line.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Environmental Education & Group Safety Supervision: Under the direction of the Director or Program Director, Seasonal Naturalists work as part of a pield teaching team to plan, prepare, and implement an integrated science curriculum in an outdoor public park setting. This curriculum emphasizes basic principles of conservation biology and ecology, fosters climate literacy, and aligns the California state STEAM framework and Next Generation Science Standards with social-emotional learning approaches. Naturalists deliver pre-developed program content and coordinate the activities of students, chaperones and teachers alongside fellow Seasonal Naturalists and Intern Naturalists to ensure that visiting schools are provided with a safe, joyful, healthy, and enriching learning environment. Seasonal Naturalists lead field groups of Kindergarten - High School students from diverse backgrounds through a learning experience that is appropriately adapted to the needs of the group and seasonal climate. In addition, Naturalists supervise and support Intern Naturalists, docents and volunteers to ensure all safety guidelines are followed during Nurture NATURE’s field trip programs.
Special Event Facilitation: Seasonal Naturalists assist with the set-up, take down, safety and facilitation of all of our Shoreline Cleanup and stewardship /community service events. Naturalists promote these events through outreach activities before and after the event and provide information about the site, area and/or lead special activities during events as directed.
Program Development and Delivery: Working in a team, Seasonal Naturalists deliver curriculum-based education programs and service-learning coastal cleanup events and engage with youth, teachers, chaperones and members of the public of multiple cultural backgrounds. Seasonal Naturalists help prepare curricula materials, organize teaching equipment and supplies. Naturalists may plan and deliver elements of the Seasonal Naturalist Orientation and Training and/or create new educational materials that are relevant and engaging, as directed. Seasonal Naturalists participate in program-evaluation and professional development activities to nurture their own and the team’s ongoing learning and improvement.
Outreach: Seasonal Naturalists may assist with communications projects and recruitment of school classes, recruitment of other Seasonal and Intern Naturalists, outreach for events, and promotion of Nurture NATURE programs and events through various means, including: photography, gathering quotes and highlights, drafting social media posts, &/or hand-posting flyers at designated venues, as directed.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
● Teaching, Youth Development: Interest and experience teaching or leading elementary - high school grade level students , youth groups and volunteers in the classroom and/or an outdoor/nature setting. Utilizes youth development and social emotional learning best practices.
● Multicultural Education: Experience working with culturally, economically and academically diverse populations. Ability to create supportive, inclusive spaces and connect with youth and adults of different backgrounds and abilities. Knowledge of environmental literacy, San Francisco Bay Area ecology, natural and cultural history of Oakland, CA, aquatic and watershed science, environmental issues and solutions, and Next Generation Science Standards.
● Community Engagement: Committed to serving communities that have historically been excluded from outdoor experiences, such as communities of color, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, and low-income communities. Can work with various educational partners, such as schools, youth groups, local businesses and identity-based organizations.
● Interest in science/environmental restoration: Knowledge of ecology of San Francisco Bay flora and fauna. Inspired by and encourages wonder in and care for complex ecological systems, including restoration of plant, wildlife and human communities in urban ecosystems. Desire to make scientific and ecological concepts relevant to a wide range of youth and adult audiences.
● Technical / computer skills: Proficient in report writing, creating spreadsheets and data tracking. Experience using Google Shared Drive, Docs, Photo, Zoom, and Google Slide Deck presentation skills. Proficient in educational design (such as for slide presentations, flyers, surveys, program materials). Careful use and instruction of handling of educational equipment (such as binoculars, microscope, telescope).
● Social Media Skills: Proficient in outdoor, group photography and using Social Media (such as Instagram) to outreach and share highlights of naturalist programming.
QUALIFICATIONS
● Education/Experience: Must be enrolled in an AA/AS or BA /BS program or have a B.A or B.S. or have equivalent experience in a related field. Interest, experience and/or educational background in environmental/biological sciences (ecology, marine science), natural history interpretation, education, outdoor recreation and/or a related subject.
● Educating/engaging youth: 4+ years working with youth outdoors and/or doing community engagement. Requires a background in natural sciences, environmental and recreational activities; familiarity with outdoor education and teaching techniques used in the outdoors.
● Organized and Enthusiastic Communicator: Able to juggle multiple tasks at once while staying organized and maintaining attention to details and high quality work. Follows directions effectively and self-manages time and tasks independently. Professional oral and written communication skills, including designing presentations and public speaking skills. Positive, flexible, mature attitude and approach. Enthusiasm, energy and commitment to carry out teaching and communications responsibilities.
● Equity and inclusion: Values social and racial justice, equity, inclusion; committed to treating all people fairly and with respect regardless of background, ethnicity, race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, (physical or mental) ability, size/height, medical condition, veteran or marital status, language or viewpoints.
● Multilingual: Able to speak, write, read English. Language fluency(s) in other commonly spoken language relevant to SF Bay Area communities, e.g. bilingualin English/Spanish, English/Mam, English/Arabic, is a plus.
● CPR and First Aid: Valid certification required (may be obtained once hired). Wilderness First Aid is a plus.
● Fingerprinting: All employees must pass a background check including FBI/ CA Department of Justice DOJ fingerprint check.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS
Work is primarily performed outdoors with students from a classroom setting with some indoor office or on-line work from home. The position requires periods of standing and walking.
Physical Requirements: Able to see, hear, sit, kneel, stand, walk on varying uneven terrain, including trails, steep steps, sandy beach and dunes, rock mounds and dirt or gravel paths, for up to 6 hours, while carrying light equipment, exploring a variety of habitats, and playing active games with children. Ability to hike up and down hills for up to 2-4 miles. Ability to lift/carry up to 30 pounds of supplies, gear and equipment.
TERMS (Hourly/ Seasonal Part-Time)
Position Start: September 4, 2025 Position End: November 20, 2025 (possible extension through May 2026)
Type of Position: This is a part-time, temporary position.
Schedule: Most Thursdays from 8:45am to 12:45pm (4.0 hour/day + 1 hour prep). Possibility of additional 3-10 hours a week TBD on some Friday mornings for additional/alternate field trips and/or Monday and Tuesday mornings scheduled for Virtual Naturalist Programs.
Compensation: $30.00 - $40.00 per hour, to be determined, based upon experience. Paid monthly.
Medical Benefits: Sick leave of 1 hour per every 30 hours worked.
TO APPLY:
Submit a cover letter and resume including relevant personal and professional experiences.
Preference is given to applications submitted early in August for Fall 2025 season and by
December 1, 2025 for Spring 2026 season. Applications accepted until positions are filled.
Apply online: Submit your letter and resume by email to < info@nurture-nature.org> .
Please write “Seasonal Naturalist Applicant” in the Subject line. No phone calls please.
Nurture NATURE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Recruitment, placement and promotions are conducted without regard to an individual's race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, physical or mental (dis)ability, veteran or marital status, sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by Federal, State, and local laws & ordinances.
A background check by a LiveScan provider is required to complete the hiring process.
