Employment – Prairie Woods

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Join Our Nature Preschool Team as an Assistant Teacher!

Imagine a classroom where the woods and prairie are your backdrop—sounds like a dream job? We are seeking passionate and dedicated Teachers to join our Nature Preschool team. This role is ideal for individuals who love working with young children and have a strong commitment to fostering a connection with nature. You’ll collaborate closely with the Nature Preschool Director and other staff to create a nurturing and engaging outdoor learning environment.

Assistant Teacher

Part-Time, 22-25 hours/week

Hourly Pay Range: $17.00 – $19.00 ($19,448 – $24,700 annually)

Schedule: Hours will typically fall between Monday through Thursday, 8:00am-4:30pm, Fridays 8:00am-12:00pm; plus, occasional training and monthly team meeting.

Location: Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, Spicer, MN

What You’ll Do:

Lead a nature-based program for preschoolers (ages 3-5), guiding them through outdoor learning experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection to the natural world.

Collaborate with the team of teachers to create a safe, engaging, and enriching outdoor classroom environment.

Supervise and support children during outdoor explorations and play.

Foster a strong relationship with children, parents, and the community, ensuring a positive learning experience.

Assist in planning and implementing nature-based curriculum activities.

Observe and document children’s development and progress.

Carry out rules and legislation with DHS licensing for Rule 3 Child Care Center

What Makes You a Great Fit:

Passion for nature, outdoor learning, and working with young children in all weather conditions.

Experience in educational settings with young children and knowledge of early childhood development, especially in nature-based education.

Flexibility, strong communication skills, and a team-oriented mindset.

Rule 3 Qualified under DHS Minnesota State Licensing, with current CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).

Why You’ll Love It Here:

Make a real impact: Help young children connect with nature, grow in confidence, and learn through play in the great outdoors.

Work with a supportive team: Be part of an inspiring, passionate group of educators who share your love for outdoor learning and exploration.

Opportunities to grow: As we grow, there will be opportunities for you to engage in professional development, certifications, and training in outdoor and nature-based education.

Incredible work environment: Spend your days in the beautiful outdoors of Prairie Woods, with nature as your classroom!

How to Apply for This Position:

If you’re excited about guiding children to learn and grow in nature, send your resume and a brief message explaining why you’re a great fit to Hannah Stelley, Nature Preschool Director at hannah.s@prairiewoodselc.org.

Application Deadline: Monday, December 16th, 2024

Equal Opportunity Employer: Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and visitors.

Join Our Team: Seeking an Environmental Education Director

Are You Passionate About Connecting People with Nature?

At Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, we believe that some of the best learning happens outside—where curiosity can run wild, hands get a little dirty, and every season brings new lessons.

Now, we’re searching for an Environmental Education Director to lead and expand our programs—someone who can innovate, inspire, and engage people of all ages in hands-on, outdoor learning experiences. This is an opportunity to help shape our environmental education initiatives, bringing fresh ideas to a well-loved and growing program. If you enjoy exploring new things, building partnerships, and finding creative ways to connect people with nature, this could be the perfect fit for you!

We don’t expect you to have all the answers—we want someone who’s excited to ask big questions, explore fresh ideas, and work with our team to evolve what environmental education looks like for our community.

Environmental Education Director
Full-Time, 40 hours/week
Salary Range: $50,336 – $58,240 annually, based on experience and qualifications.
Great benefits provided.

About Us

At Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, our mission is simple but powerful:

Promote awareness of the importance of our natural environment through education and outdoor recreation.

Our vision is a world where people respect the environment and understand its importance to their well-being and our shared future.

Every day at Prairie Woods, our team gets to turn 560 acres of prairies, woodlands, and wetlands into a living classroom. —we also have indoor and outdoor learning spaces, classrooms, and gathering areas designed to support engaging, immersive education in all seasons. We blend hands-on exploration, outdoor recreation, and community-building activities to help people of all ages discover the wonder of the natural world.

Our programs cover everything from prairies to ponds, canoeing to cross-country skiing, survival skills to sustainability—and we’re always looking for new ways to inspire learning.

What You’ll Do (In a Nutshell):

Reimagine & lead our environmental education programs—build on what works, and find fresh ways to connect people with nature.

Collaborate with an amazing team! You’ll work closely with our Executive Director and in partnership with our Challenge Course, Youth Eco Solutions, and Nature Preschool initiatives.

Have a built-in support system. You’ll be part of a team-oriented organization, governed by a Board of Directors that is deeply invested in our success. Plus, our Facilities & Grounds Team helps make sure everything runs smoothly on-site.

Manage and inspire a passionate group of program facilitators and volunteers.

Build partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to expand the reach of our programs.

Experiment, evaluate, and improve. Try new approaches, gather feedback, and refine our programs to make them even more engaging and impactful.

Help secure funding through grants and program development—so we can keep growing and innovating.

Engage people of all ages in outdoor learning experiences, from nature hikes to mammal studies, canoeing to winter ecology!

Who We’re Looking For:

A passionate outdoor educator who believes in the power of environmental learning to inspire curiosity, stewardship, and lifelong connections with nature.

A collaborative leader and skilled communicator who thrives on working with staff teams, program contacts, community partners, and volunteers—someone who can build relationships, coordinate programs, and engage a crowd.

A creative problem-solver and hands-on innovator who’s comfortable trying new things, and is eager to adapt, grow, and bring programs to life.

Qualifications:

Required:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Education, Natural Sciences, Education, or a related field.

5+ years of experience in environmental education, outdoor learning, or program leadership.

Experience with program development, staff supervision, and community engagement.

Preferred:

Experience with grant writing, fundraising, and budget management.

Familiarity with environmental education standards and certifications.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center is committed to building an inclusive and diverse environment for employees and visitors.

Application Deadline: March 3, 2025.
If you’re excited about this opportunity, we’d love to hear from you! Send your resume and a cover letter sharing why this role excites you to jennifer.s@prairiewoodselc.org

Attn: Executive Director
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center
12718 10th Street NE
Spicer, MN 56288

For more information call (320) 354-5894

Final Thoughts. This role is all about taking something great and making it even better. It’s about exploring new possibilities, and inspiring others to see the magic of the natural world.

If you’re someone who loves to lead, learn, and create, this could be the start of something incredible. We can’t wait to meet you!

Program Facilitator

Do you enjoy being outdoors and facilitating group experiences in nature? At Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (PWELC), you’ll have the opportunity to lead groups in outdoor activities, helping others explore and appreciate the natural world. As part of our team, you’ll gain practical experience in group facilitation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation, all while spending time in nature and providing meaningful experiences for participants.

Position: Facilitator

Hours: This is a part-time, on-call position. Your hours will typically fall between Monday through Friday, 8:00am-3:00pm, with an average of 10-20 hours per week during the busy season.

Pay: $15-$18 per hour

Location: Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, Spicer, MN

This is a seasonal position with approximately 15-20 hours per week during April and May, with many opportunities for additional work from June through October. There are also exciting opportunities to lead snow activities in January and February, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. You’ll have flexibility to choose which programs you lead based on your schedule and interests.

In this role, you’ll guide a variety of hands-on programs for all ages, from preschoolers to seniors. Whether it’s teaching a pond study, exploring local wildlife and insects, exciting activities like canoeing, kayaking, and fat-tire biking, or even helping participants navigate our challenge course and climbing walls, every day will bring a new adventure. You’ll also assist with preparing materials, equipment, and curriculum, ensuring everything runs smoothly and participants have a memorable experience.

What makes you a great fit:
We’re searching for people who love the outdoors and enjoy sharing that passion with others. If you have experience working with kids or young people, can confidently engage groups, and are excited about learning new outdoor skills, this could be the perfect fit for you! Physical stamina is important, as you’ll be leading outdoor activities, and a general awareness of environmental issues is a bonus.

Here’s what a past employee had to say:
“Working at PWELC has been an amazing experience! I have had the opportunity to gain confidence in myself and continuously grow as a person. Working with diverse groups of people as well as connecting others with each other and the environment has been extremely rewarding. I am beyond grateful for PWELC and the wonderful staff on shaping the person I am today.” – Kelsie Rustad

Why you’ll love this job:

Pick shifts that fit your schedule with flexible, on-call options.
Spend your time outdoors leading fun activities like teaching environmental education, canoeing, rock climbing and flying squirrel.
We provide training to help you build the skills you need to lead with confidence.
Help kids and adults connect with nature and make a real difference in their lives.

How to apply:
If you’re excited about working outdoors, leading engaging activities, and making a positive impact, we’d love to hear from you! Please send your resume and a brief message explaining why to Jennifer Swenson at jennifer.s@prairiewoodselc.org

Application deadline:
Monday, March 10th, 2025

Environmental Education Internship

A Prairie Woods internship offers diverse experiences in environmental education and outdoor recreation, as well as connections with a community of educators who support your learning process. Internships are available for the spring and summer seasons. Please email Kory Klebe with a letter of interest and resume: kory.k@prairiewoodselc.org