Join the Environmental Education team!
We have seasonal, part-time positions that work year-round in various programs. We also have numerous part-time and full-time summer opportunities.
Youth Conservation Crew - Crew Member
Work schedule: June 27 through August 11, 2023; Tuesday through Friday; 8:30am to 2:30pm. All youth hired during the summer can keep working on Saturdays during the school year. Sign up for workdays as your schedule allows.
Status: Open. Apply at Youth Conservation Crew Member (CSA I) Application
Eligibility: Age 14 - 18, willing and able to do hard work, dependable, excited to work with a diverse team, able to get to work sites on your own, and eligible to work in the United States.
Youth Conservation Crew - Crew Leader
Lead a group of teenagers ages 14-19 as they work on trees, trails, habitat, gardens, and more. Help teens develop a love of nature in the city, and the skills and knowledge they need to protect it. We are hiring 10 crew leaders to lead the Community Gardens Crew, Natural Area Crew – Eastside, Natural Area Crew – Westside, Trail Crew, and Tree Crew.
Visit our website for more information about each crew and what it's like to be a crew leader.
Status: Open. Apply at Youth Conservation Crew Leader (CSA II) Application
Eligibility: Be at least 20 years old by June 13, 2023; driver's license preferred.
Nature Day Camp - Educator I, II, and Lead Staff positions
Portland Parks & Recreation’s Nature Day Camp offers nine weeks of outdoor summer camps at five urban parks in Portland. Camps have a nature theme and offer an opportunity for educators to lead groups of children ages 5-12. Here is a brief overview of the different roles during the summer.
- Nature Educators spend each day co-leading small groups of campers ages 5-12 as they learn about nature and explore Portland's parks and natural areas.
- Team Leads lead and mentor small teams of campers and staff.
- The Jr Educator Lead oversees the volunteer program for students ages 13-17.
- The After-care Lead supports and organizes the after-care program at Nature Day Camp.
- Site Coordinators organize all site logistics, help with weekly planning, and communicate with parents and staff.
Status: Open
- Educator I (CSA I) Application
- Educator II, Team Lead, Jr Educator Lead, Site Coordinator and After-Care Lead (CSA II) Application
Eligibility for positions: Varies by position. Please visit the Nature Day Camp summer employment page for details about all available roles.
Teen Nature Team (TNT) - Nature Educator
Mentor and supervise teenagers as they complete important work in natural areas and gain job skills. Part-time, year-round employment opportunities leading environmental science, stewardship, and job skills training for middle school students. This role is team-oriented and spends part of the time in the field leading groups and part of the time in planning and administration. Requires experience leading programs for children and youth, ability to work with diverse groups, ability to plan, lead and evaluate nature programs, administrative skills, and a valid driver's license.
Status: Open. Apply at Nature Educator (CSA II) Application
Eligibility: Be at least 21 years old by date of hire, have a valid driver's license and clean driving record, and have gotten the COVID-19 shots per City/State mandate or have an approved exception by date of hire.
Nature Education Program - Nature Educator
Part-time, year-round employment opportunities leading school field trips, guided walks, and custom nature programs. This role is team-oriented and spends part of the time in the field leading groups and part of the time in planning and administration. Requires experience leading programs for children and youth, ability to work with diverse groups, ability to plan, lead and evaluate nature programs, administrative skills, and a valid driver's license.
Status: Open. Apply at Nature Educator (CSA II) Application
Eligibility: Be at least 21 years old by date of hire, have a valid driver's license and clean driving record, and have gotten the COVID-19 shots per City/State mandate or have an approved exception by date of hire.
Volunteer Programs for youth in 6th-12th grade
Teen Nature Team (TNT)
Teen Nature Team is a free year-round program that connects teens to nature, healthy outdoor adventure, environmental science, stewardship, plus life and job skills. We partner with Ninth Grade Transition (All Hands Raised) so that TNT participants get high school credit for completing the program.
Status: Applicants will immediately be added to a waitlist. Youth will be invited to join as soon as space is available.
Eligibility: Grades 6-8
Click here to start your application
Nature Day Camp - Junior Educator program
Learn the skills of teaching, mentoring, and caring for children in nature. No experience required, but teens should enjoy nature and being with children.
Status: Open. Apply at Junior Educator Volunteer Application
Eligibility: Ages 13-17, enjoy children and nature, no experience needed