Naturalist Educator

Type:
Seasonal:
March 3rd through October 31st, 2027

Benefits:
Free, shared, all gender housing is provided. Meals during all overnight programming and day programming where meals are included for clients. Mentorship and professional development in technical boating, guiding, teaching, and facilitation. Use of all CFI equipment needed to perform job duties. CFI will provide required gear and equipment.

Schedule:

Priority Final date to receive applications:
Oct. 17th, 2026

Note:

paid position, free housing provided

Reports to: Education Director

Department: Education

Category: Non-Exempt

Classification: Seasonal, March 3
- October 31, 2027

Salary: $175/day, $17.50/hour, free housing

Number of Openings: Four (4)

WHY WORK FOR CANYONLANDS FIELD INSTITUTE?

Canyonlands Field Institute (CFI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Moab, Utah. For over 40 years we have been rooted in our mission to cultivate connection to self, community, and nature by creating inclusive educational pathways to the outdoors . We believe in nurturing students of all ages and backgrounds, connection to self, community, and natural spaces. Through meaningful outdoor educational programming, CFI seeks to build immersive learning experiences by combining place-based science, an unplugged from technology environment, play, exploration, artistic expression, and social emotional learning curriculum.

By joining our educational community, you can help us grow the next generation of caring leaders and environmental stewards, who can affect positive change in our world. While simultaneously building a robust set of technical, interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, the Colorado Plateau.

INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY & ACCESSIBILITY (IDEA) :

CFI holds diversity and inclusion as core values and believes that healthy – vibrant human and natural communities are interconnected. We participated in the first cohort in the two-year workshop training series, Working Towards Racial Equity, led by UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and Justice Outside, which supports environmental and outdoor science organizations to build capacity to foster equitable, inclusive, and culturally relevant work environments.

CFI also makes a commitment to transparency and accountability by annually signing the In Solidarity Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge, to solidify our public commitment to being part of the solution in moving the outdoor education sector toward being a (natural) space of belonging for all . The In Solidarity Project evolved to become the Outdoor Diversity Alliance and CFI is a subscriber.

PURPOSE OF POSITION WITH CFI:

The First Year Naturalist Educator training program is a paid professional development program for outdoor educators beginning their career of connecting people to, and fostering care for, the natural environment. The position focuses on facilitating land-based programming for school and youth groups at our Professor Valley Field Camp and multi-day river trips on the Green, Colorado, and San Juan Rivers. The First Year Naturalist Educator position is an entry point to CFI’s Outdoor Educator and Leadership Development program.

This position includes opportunities for advancement at CFI and training relevant to careers in recreation and outdoor education.

ROLE SCOPE & RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

Teaching & Guiding – 60% of the time

• Deliver research-supported curriculum to groups of up to fifteen 1st-12th grade students or adults as needed
• Facilitate team building, leadership, and Social Emotional Learning activities.
• Captain paddle rafts of up to 10 participants and row gear boats through up to class IV sections of river
• Lead participants in set-up of river…