Assistant Instructor Position at Earthroots

Earthroots Field School is dedicated to cultivating a sense of care and connection between people and the natural world. We offer outdoor classes and workshops for all ages on ecological gardening, nature awareness, ancestral arts and sustainable living skills.

Position Overview

Earthroots is currently seeking an Assistant Instructor to support our Earthroots Ecoliteracy in Schools Program on public school campuses within the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD), as well as additional public schools in South Orange County.

This position is part-time for the Spring 2026 semester, averaging approximately 5-10 hours per week. Program hours generally fall between 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM, and vary by school site. There is a potential for additional hours in the Fall 2026 semester as the program expands. 

Assistant Instructors work alongside a Lead Instructor with students in grades K-5, supporting ecoliteracy lessons both in the classroom and outdoors.

We are looking for candidates who are:

• Passionate about environmental stewardship

• Experienced in working with groups of children

• Enthusiastic about learning, growing, and teaching in outdoor settings and in all weather conditions

Essential Functions/Duties Include But Are Not Limited To:

• Assist the Lead Instructor in facilitating outdoor, hands-on, nature based programs aligned with California State Standards on public school campuses.

• Support group management and conflict resolution.

• Communicate regularly with the Lead Instructor and Earthroots staff.

• Arrive 30 min before the first class to help unload and set up materials and stay 30 minutes after the last class to clean up and reload materials

• Independently lead small groups of up to 15 students at a time

• Support the Lead Instructor with larger groups of up to 35 students. 

• Lead nature-based games or activities with small groups 

• Assist with topics including (but are not limited to): gardening, watershed ecology, natural building, ancestral skills, cooking, animal tracking, life cycles, and composting
  
  

Qualifications & Requirements

• Commitment to the mission, vision and core values of Earthroots Field School

• Knowledge of California plant and animal life highly desirable

• Knowledge of California Indigenous peoples highly desirable

• Ability to comfortably lift up to 50 lbs (bags of soil, EZ-ups, bins of materials, etc)

• Ability to be on your feet for four or more hours per day

• Ability to use hand tools (hand saws, pruning shears, and loppers); training provided

• Ability to bend, weed garden beds, kneel, and sit on the ground

• Ability to walk on uneven surfaces and hike steep trails

• Ability to make independent decisions and respond to immediate needs of students, emergency situations, and program needs

• Willingness to work outside in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures

• Ability to manage quick transitions in a fast-paced environment, including set-up and clean-up

• Ability to communicate via email on a consistent basis, and respond to emails and phone calls from supervisors in a timely manner

• Ability to communicate effectively in the English language, in both oral and written forms

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in education, science, environmental studies, or a related field is desired

• Three years of experience working with children in an environmental education setting as an interpreter, naturalist, camp teacher, or equivalent, with a strong in thematic, hands-on programming

• Demonstrated ability to maintain an understanding, patient, and receptive attitude toward students of varied age groups, including adults, in both small and large group settings

• Current CPR and First Aid certification required 

Position Details:

• Start Date: February/March 2026

• Hours: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (approx., varies by site)

• Pay: Starting at $22/hour, based on experience

• Additional Work: Substitute and extra hours may be available throughout the year

• Applicants may be invited to observe a class as part of the hiring process

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Earthroots encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+SGL, people with disabilities, and those from working-class backgrounds.

Earnings: Based on experience, starting at $22 per hour

Once hired, the Assistant Instructor will be required to:

• Obtain CPR/First Aid Certification

• Provide valid driver’s license or state-issued ID

• Complete LiveScan Fingerprinting verification process

• Shadow an Earthroots class

• Have regular access to a working cell phone

• Have regular access to a computer with internet 

• Have regular access to a reliable vehicle

• Attend staff training and monthly staff meetings