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L
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A
NGELES
C
OUNTY
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UTDOOR
S
CIENCE
S
CHOOL






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Qualifications for the Outdoor
Science Teacher Position
Education
A minimum of a Bachelor's degree is required for all of
our teaching positions. The degree should be in the field of
science (Biology, Botany, Zoology, Ecology, Environmental
Studies, etc.) and should include upper division course work
in life science and physical science. We occasionally hire
people with degrees in education, but only if they have
completed several science courses and have significant
outdoor teaching experience. Rarely, we hire people with
other degrees if they have the required course work and many
years of experience in an analogous residential outdoor
science school.
Experience
Most successful applicants have one or more years of
experience in a residential outdoor education setting.
Occasionally we hire people without residential outdoor
education experience if they have a good cluster of
experiences in the following.
- experience with kids
- experience leading groups in the outdoors
- successful teaching experience (science teaching is
best)
- field science research experience
- extensive outdoor experience
Certification
in First Aid
All outdoor science teachers must have current
certification in first aid and CPR while employed. If you
are not currently certified, that does not exclude you from
consideration, but you would need to become certified prior
to working with students. We prefer applicants have a
minimum of Wilderness First Responder certification, but
it's not absolutely required yet. However, if you are
serious about a career leading groups in the outdoors, you
really should get WFR certification.
Desirable
Qualifications
These qualifications, while not required, are still
desirable. Most successful applicants will have one or more
of the following.
- Marine Science education/experience (for Malibu
site)
- Spanish language proficiency
- Experience with cultural and ethnic diversity
- Ability to sing and/or play a musical instrument
- Group dynamics skills and experience
- Experience with non-traditional games or
initiatives
Examples of the people we
hire
Taking a look at our staff
biographies might give you a clearer idea of the type of
folks we hire. The staff usually ends up being highly
caucasian, but that's not by design or preference. Minority
candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Note to international
applicants
We will gladly hire folks from outside of the United States.
However, we can only hire people who have legal permission
to work in this country already established. If you have the
required paperwork (visa, green card, etc.) in place, please
feel free to apply. If not, please secure legal permission
to work in the US prior to applying.
© LACOSS, 2008
Last Revised: March 4, 2008
Comments or Questions? webmaster@OutdoorScienceSchool.org
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