JOB OPPORTUNITY: SQUAD LEADER
Urban Adventure Squad (UAS), a nonprofit, D.C.-based education organization, is seeking a program educator who is passionate about outdoor education, experiential learning, and innovative teaching to develop and run enrichment programs for children ages 5 through 13 that take place on days when schools are closed, including most weeks during the summer. Squad leaders are talented, committed people who love working with children, embrace outdoor learning, and love exploring neighborhoods and trails.
Most Squad Leaders start with us in a part-time capacity, leading groups of children through well-researched curricula on days when schools are closed, and in special school-based programs throughout the week. For more information about our work in schools, please refer to our School Partnerships page.
With some experience and initiative, Squad Leaders can develop their own lesson plans in their areas of expertise and interest, and take on responsibilities in enrollment, program development, and fundraising.
Urban Adventure Squad offers programs throughout the summer. We look for continuity for our program educators, and will give preference to applicants who are interested in working for our UAS Summer 2019 programs.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH
As we continue to grow, we expect more of our program educator positions to become full-time and encompass more responsibilities. That may include independently managing a UAS program site and assuming leadership roles in program development in areas such as theater and arts, environment and ecology, local history, architecture, and technology.
Progression from part-time to full-time status can take as little as a few months and depends on how much more a Squad Leader wants to do, how the Squad Leader demonstrates expertise, and how the Squad Leader interacts with students and colleagues.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Compensation is based on experience, starting at $16 an hour. Full-time employees receive assistance toward health insurance. UAS programs are free for children of full-time employees.
What is UAS?
UAS is a nonprofit education organization founded in 2014 to serve two public service missions: a) to provide education and childcare support to working families, and b) to bring much-needed experiential and hands-on learning programs to school children. We serve both of these missions with equal vigor.
Over 1000 children from almost 80 schools across the D.C. area have enrolled in UAS, and many of our students return regularly. Our programs emphasize the outdoors, hands-on learning, and community engagement—we learn about environmental science and stewardship by hiking through Rock Creek Park, fishing in the Anacostia River, and caring for local greenspaces; about the arts and arts production by taking behind-the-scenes tours of local theaters, meeting student filmmakers, and taking hip-hop and drumming workshops; and about D.C. history by hiking through neighborhoods, meeting archaeologists, and visiting local historic homes and buildings.
Squad Leaders are the heart of UAS and are responsible for:
QUALIFICATIONS
Squad Leaders love spending their days with children, are organized (but flexible), creative, punctual, love the outdoors and being physically active, and are incredibly patient with children of different needs, attention levels, and abilities.
CPR and First Aid certification preferred. We can help you identify local classes if you are not certified. We require all UAS staff members to be certified in CPR/First Aid/AED and EpiPen administration.
Candidates must be willing to undergo a criminal background check.
TIME COMMITMENT
Our school-year programs take place on weekdays, mostly on Mondays and Fridays, when schools are closed (e.g., parent-teacher conference days, teacher professional development), and at various schools. Program workday hours are usually 8:15 am-4:30 pm, with occasional later days.
Our school-based programs take place on weekdays, and schedule/hours depend on the location and the specifics of the program.
Our summer programs are Monday-Friday, 8:15am-4:45pm, and some include an aftercare option until 5:30pm. When starting out, Squad Leaders can pick and choose when they want to work. Squad Leaders work about 40 hours per week in the summer.
For a list of UAS school-year programs, see www.urbanadventuresquad.org/upcoming. (This list includes only our full-day programs that are open to all students from all schools, and does not include our school partnership programs.)
For more information on our model and our leadership, please visit our "Who We Are” and "Frequently Asked Questions" pages. We're also on Twitter (@UrbanAdvSquad), and on Facebook (@UrbanAdvSquad).
To apply (or for questions), please send your cover letter and resume to info@urbanadventuresquad.org.
You can also check us out in action; look at our upcoming schedule and email us with your cover letter/resume and the program date(s) when you’d like to visit.
Urban Adventure Squad (UAS), a nonprofit, D.C.-based education organization, is seeking a program educator who is passionate about outdoor education, experiential learning, and innovative teaching to develop and run enrichment programs for children ages 5 through 13 that take place on days when schools are closed, including most weeks during the summer. Squad leaders are talented, committed people who love working with children, embrace outdoor learning, and love exploring neighborhoods and trails.
Most Squad Leaders start with us in a part-time capacity, leading groups of children through well-researched curricula on days when schools are closed, and in special school-based programs throughout the week. For more information about our work in schools, please refer to our School Partnerships page.
With some experience and initiative, Squad Leaders can develop their own lesson plans in their areas of expertise and interest, and take on responsibilities in enrollment, program development, and fundraising.
Urban Adventure Squad offers programs throughout the summer. We look for continuity for our program educators, and will give preference to applicants who are interested in working for our UAS Summer 2019 programs.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH
As we continue to grow, we expect more of our program educator positions to become full-time and encompass more responsibilities. That may include independently managing a UAS program site and assuming leadership roles in program development in areas such as theater and arts, environment and ecology, local history, architecture, and technology.
Progression from part-time to full-time status can take as little as a few months and depends on how much more a Squad Leader wants to do, how the Squad Leader demonstrates expertise, and how the Squad Leader interacts with students and colleagues.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Compensation is based on experience, starting at $16 an hour. Full-time employees receive assistance toward health insurance. UAS programs are free for children of full-time employees.
What is UAS?
UAS is a nonprofit education organization founded in 2014 to serve two public service missions: a) to provide education and childcare support to working families, and b) to bring much-needed experiential and hands-on learning programs to school children. We serve both of these missions with equal vigor.
Over 1000 children from almost 80 schools across the D.C. area have enrolled in UAS, and many of our students return regularly. Our programs emphasize the outdoors, hands-on learning, and community engagement—we learn about environmental science and stewardship by hiking through Rock Creek Park, fishing in the Anacostia River, and caring for local greenspaces; about the arts and arts production by taking behind-the-scenes tours of local theaters, meeting student filmmakers, and taking hip-hop and drumming workshops; and about D.C. history by hiking through neighborhoods, meeting archaeologists, and visiting local historic homes and buildings.
Squad Leaders are the heart of UAS and are responsible for:
- leading groups of children on field trips on foot and by public transportation;
- reviewing schedules and curricula ahead of program days, and helping to prepare curricula, including teaching materials, games, and activities;
- being on time and energized for each program day;
- engaging in developmentally appropriate ways with children of different ages and abilities;
- leading and/or participating in circle discussions, group learning, art and design projects, and other games and activities;
- coming up with on-the-spot activities (e.g., riddles, games, improv) to keep children engaged during lulls or delays;
- distributing snacks, cleaning up, loading/unloading supplies;
- providing feedback on program content and logistics;
- developing new curriculum, once they are well-versed in the UAS model and depending on how much Squad Leaders want to do.
QUALIFICATIONS
Squad Leaders love spending their days with children, are organized (but flexible), creative, punctual, love the outdoors and being physically active, and are incredibly patient with children of different needs, attention levels, and abilities.
CPR and First Aid certification preferred. We can help you identify local classes if you are not certified. We require all UAS staff members to be certified in CPR/First Aid/AED and EpiPen administration.
Candidates must be willing to undergo a criminal background check.
TIME COMMITMENT
Our school-year programs take place on weekdays, mostly on Mondays and Fridays, when schools are closed (e.g., parent-teacher conference days, teacher professional development), and at various schools. Program workday hours are usually 8:15 am-4:30 pm, with occasional later days.
Our school-based programs take place on weekdays, and schedule/hours depend on the location and the specifics of the program.
Our summer programs are Monday-Friday, 8:15am-4:45pm, and some include an aftercare option until 5:30pm. When starting out, Squad Leaders can pick and choose when they want to work. Squad Leaders work about 40 hours per week in the summer.
For a list of UAS school-year programs, see www.urbanadventuresquad.org/upcoming. (This list includes only our full-day programs that are open to all students from all schools, and does not include our school partnership programs.)
For more information on our model and our leadership, please visit our "Who We Are” and "Frequently Asked Questions" pages. We're also on Twitter (@UrbanAdvSquad), and on Facebook (@UrbanAdvSquad).
To apply (or for questions), please send your cover letter and resume to info@urbanadventuresquad.org.
You can also check us out in action; look at our upcoming schedule and email us with your cover letter/resume and the program date(s) when you’d like to visit.