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| Title: | Outdoor Education Fellow |
| Department: | Education |
| Reports To: | Fellowship Manager |
| Role Type: | Full-time Training Position |
| Employment Dates: | August 11, 2025 – August 7, 2026 |
| Salary/Rate: | $1,000 monthly plus room and board |
| Work Hours: | Typically Monday-Friday ~8am-4:30 pm. Work up to one weekend and two evenings per month (weekend and evening time is usually balanced to ~40 hours per week) |
| Date Updated: | December 2024 |
| APPLY NOW! » |
Position Description:
The Eagle Bluff Fellowship is a transformative, year-long residential training program designed for individuals passionate about environmental education, outdoor leadership, and interpretive skills. This immersive experience combines hands-on, inquiry-based teaching with professional development through specialized seminars, mentorship, and peer collaboration. Fellows gain over 400 hours of practical experience instructing diverse audiences while refining their facilitation techniques and learning from ongoing evaluations and feedback.
Throughout the program, fellows are supported by a network of mentors and peers, and they engage in continuous learning opportunities that foster personal and professional growth. Upon completion, fellows are well-prepared to pursue careers in environmental education, outdoor programming, or related fields, equipped with both teaching experience and a deeper understanding of effective environmental education techniques.
While not a traditional graduate program, the fellowship offers graduate-level seminars and the opportunity to earn graduate credits through Hamline University (for participants with a college degree). These credits can be applied toward a Master’s program at Hamline or other institutions nationwide, though earning graduate credits is entirely optional and not a requirement for participation in the Fellowship.
Program Benefits
- Extensive training in environmental and outdoor education with mentorship from experienced educators.
- Gain practical experience instructing over 20 different classes across adventure, science, and cultural history topics to a variety of audiences.
- Option to earn graduate credits through Hamline University.
- Being part of a supportive community of peers, mentors, and professionals dedicated to learning, collaboration, and personal growth.
- Development of a robust professional portfolio, including teaching, program planning, and leadership experience.
- Gain skills in caring for and incorporating animals into educational programs to enhance learning and engagement.
Essential Functions:
Teaching | 45%
- Teach adventure, science, and cultural history classes to students primarily in grades 4-8, fostering hands-on, inquiry-based learning, encouraging collaboration among peers, and creating positive outdoor experiences.
- Prepare for classes by reviewing lesson plans and tailoring activities to meet group needs.
- Set up and clean up teaching spaces, ensuring materials are ready and safe for use.
- Present interpretation-style, on-stage Naturalist Programs to audiences up to 200. Most programs utilize live animals.
Graduate Student/Fellowship Participant | 20%
- Participate in graduate-level seminars throughout the year, including Fundamentals of Environmental Education, Certified Interpretive Guide, Introduction to SE Minnesota Natural History, and Introduction to Program Design.
- The total cost for the 10 credits is estimated at $2850.
- Continually develop teaching skills through observations conducted by permanent education staff, recent Fellowship graduates serving as mentors, and fellow participants in the program.
- Meet with the Fellowship Manager monthly to discuss feedback, teaching progress, and set ongoing goals.
- Receive mentorship from Eagle Bluff staff to support personal and professional growth.
- Commit to growth and improvement, demonstrating flexibility, a positive attitude, and reliability when working independently or in teams, responding to feedback, and managing stressful situations.
Liaison | 20%
- Host visiting groups and schools, acting as their primary contact at Eagle Bluff and addressing questions or concerns during their stay.
- Introduce groups to Eagle Bluff’s policies, procedures, and campus to promote a safe and enjoyable experience.
- Be available on-call via radio or telephone to assist with group needs, including providing overnight support when required.
- Oversee mealtimes and facilitate communication between groups to maintain a smooth and organized schedule.
- Contribute to ancillary activities such as operating the gift shop or supporting additional programming to enhance the visitor experience.
- Organize and tidy up after evening activities, such as movies or night hikes, and lead engaging campfires as scheduled.
Seasonal Education Staff Duties | 15%
- Optional: Assist with the care and upkeep of resident education animals, including raptors, a skunk, and/or reptiles, ensuring their diets and habitats are well maintained.
- Contribute to campus projects such as general maintenance, invasive species management, wood splitting, and other essential tasks to support Eagle Bluff’s operations.
- Attend weekly Education Department meetings.
Summer Camp Counselor | 60% (replacing some teaching and liaising responsibilities)
- Plan at least one summer camp, including generating a supplies list, developing activities, considering risk management, and creating evaluations (done in conjunction with the Introduction to Program Design graduate seminar).
- Lead at least one overnight summer camp, serving as the point person for staff responsibilities, daily activities, and logistics.
- Assist with at least two of Eagle Bluff’s Summer Camps in a counselor role, leading activities, managing behavior, and creating a positive environment for all campers.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications & Skills:
- Able to commit to August 11th, 2025 – August 7th, 2026.
- Be 21 years of age by August 11th, 2025.
- Ability to pass a background check.
- Ability to live on-site in a dormitory communal setting with 11 other Fellowship members.
- Interested and excited about facilitating positive, outdoor experiences for students of all ages and backgrounds
- Shows awareness and respect for cultural diversity; able to work and communicate effectively with individuals from different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences.
- Demonstrates a willingness to collaborate with others, adapt to feedback, maintain a positive attitude in dynamic situations, and embrace professional growth and self-reflection.
- Comfortable in moving water and able to hike long distances. Willing to operate and participate in adventure activities such as high ropes courses, canoeing, rock wall, etc.
- Current First Aid and CPR/AED certification (or willingness to obtain prior to start date) from a nationally recognized provider (AHA, ARC, ASHI, NSC). Must include instructor-led skill session.
- Computer, radio, and audio-visual equipment literacy.
- Consistent attendance and dependability for scheduled responsibilities, including occasional weekend or evening commitments.
Preferred Qualifications & Skills:
- B.A. or B.S. degree or any equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education.
- Related experience as a naturalist, interpreter, camp counselor, trip leader, or other leadership
- Previous experience teaching, facilitating, or working with youth in educational or recreational settings.
- Experience operating high ropes courses, rock climbing walls, canoeing, and other outdoor recreation activities.
- Experience in public speaking, public relations, and customer service.
Work Environment, Physical Requirements, and Employment Conditions
Compensation:
- Participants receive $1000/month for living expenses and to apply toward the cost of graduate credit or certifications.
- Participants are provided housing in a private staff wing of the dormitory, sharing a bathroom/suite with one other person and having a private bedroom. All 12 participants share a common living room, dining room, kitchen, storage space, and laundry.
- As additional compensation, meals are provided when visiting groups are in residence as are food staples for use in the staff kitchen. A small communal grocery stipend is available for use. Fellows are eligible for MN SNAP benefits.
- Along with room and board, fellows are offered significant paid PTO, several holidays, personal voicemail, internet access, staff gear, and use of Eagle Bluff’s recreational equipment.
- Professional purchase discounts.
- Benefits package found here or on the employment page of the website
Application Details:
- Email a PDF of your resumé to Cheryl Krage, Business Manager: cherylk@eaglebluffmn.org. Please indicate which position you are applying for in the email subject line.
- Contact two professional references and direct them to our Online Reference Form (found on our website). It is your responsibility to make sure the references are completed in a timely manner.
- Answer and submit the online application questions, also found on our website.
When we have received all of the materials above, we will contact you about continuing the hiring process.
