Lower School Naturalist
Thaden School
Bentonville, AR, USA
Posted on Oct 18, 2025
Job Details
Bentonville - Bentonville, AR
Role and Responsibilities
- Plan for and lead classes for Grades K-4.
- Collaborate with other specialist teachers, grade level teams, and the Curriculum Specialist to ensure high-quality Naturalist instruction.
- Stay abreast of regional opportunities for learning, collaboration, partnerships, and field trips.
- Occasionally attend Forest Days.
- Attend in-service days and faculty meetings as requested by the Head of Lower School.
- Perform duties outside the classroom during set hours (e.g., recess, class coverage, reception desk, carpool, and/or lunch duties).
- Maintain Lower School raised garden beds.
- Keep inventory of outdoor supplies and equipment.
- Perform all levels of required maintenance in nature playscape, including but not limited to: selective weeding, watering, pruning, and planting.
- Maintain clear paths, safe trails, and play surfaces, including the operation of an electric leaf blower while adhering to safety measures.
Skills, Qualifications, and Attributes
- Experience partnering with other educators to create interdisciplinary learning experiences for students.
- Ability to think broadly and creatively about student-centered learning.
- Commitment to providing detailed feedback on student work in a timely manner.
- Excellent verbal and written skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in education or a science field. Master Naturalist certification preferred.
Physical Requirements
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Frequently required to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods.
- Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.
- Ability to lift, push, or pull heavy objects, sometimes exceeding 50 lbs.
- Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions, including heat, humidity, windy conditions, cold, snow, and ice.
- Occasionally required to bend, twist, or climb.
- Moderate concentration/intensity, which includes prolonged mental effort with limited opportunity for breaks.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.