Join Our Team
We Are Hiring!
We are always looking for passionate nature educators! If you are interested in teaching at Heartwood, fill out the application and we will get back to you if there is a good fit for one of our current positions.
Equity and Inclusion Statement:
Heartwood is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees, contractors, participants, and the families we serve. We believe that diversity strengthens our community and enhances the quality of our programs.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or military status in any of our activities or operations. We honor the identities of our staff and participants, including the use of preferred pronouns, and strive to create a culture of belonging.
Mission Statement:
To foster deep and lasting connections with the natural world through nature immersion, play, exploration, learning, and shared time together to inspire and empower people of all ages to be stewards of the environment, their community, and their own well-being.
Core Values: Mindfulness, Stewardship, Connection
How to apply: Please fill out the application linked in the job descriptions below. The application is the same for all positions, you can apply for multiple positions on the one application.
PARENT/CHILD CLASS EDUCATOR
We are seeking outdoor educators that love working with children ages 1-7 and their caregivers. Educator will teach 1-2 classes per week running between September and June. Classes involve circle and story time, hiking, songs, games, movement. Looking for educators with experience supporting young families as they seek community and connection to the natural world. This is a great opportunity for an educator who understands the unique needs of families. You will be playing and thriving in a 100% outdoors environment and in all types of weather conditions.
Responsibilities:
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Bring a positive attitude to class each day
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Help caregivers build relationships with other caregivers that are parenting young children.
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Plan and execute short, developmentally appropriate hikes, songs, books and activities
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Work respectfully and cooperatively with other staff and the general public in a public park setting
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Lead class of up to 12 sets of families, ensuring a fun and safe experience rooted in environmentally friendly concepts and themes
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Engage children in exploring and playing in nature
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Mentor and support families as they learn to challenge their children to take developmentally appropriate risks and to try new things
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Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
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Positive attitude and a sense of humor
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Enthusiastic, reliable, creative flexible, and calm
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Comfortable speaking to and leading groups including both young children and adults
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Pass a background check.
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Adult and Child First Aid, CPR & AED certification, or willingness to obtain
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Prior experience working with children
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Love of nature
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Enjoy working and being outside in all types of weather
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Strong team player
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Exceptional verbal communicator
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Ability to communicate effectively with participants, parents and staff
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Possess good risk assessment
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Committed to keeping participants safe
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Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds and stand on feet up to 4 hours and hike on uneven terrain.
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Part-time hours
Pay Range: $25-$26
Days: 1-2 days per week, flexible depending upon your schedule
Weekly hours: 2 hours teaching time/class and 1hour prep per week. Opportunities for more classes and substitute teaching opportunities in other classes available!
2026
Summer Camp Counselors
Heartwood offers 8 weeks of 100% outside summer day camp. We are looking for candidates who love being in nature and are energized working with children. Camp Counselors/Educators are the heart of our summers! They set the tone for a fun, safe, and joyful camp experience. Each day our camp includes themed activities, yoga, mindfulness, crafts, field games, and hiking.
Responsibilities:
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Be punctual and communicative
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Bring a positive attitude to camp each day
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Respectfully engage with campers’ parents at arrival and departure, gathering necessary information from parents and relaying experiences of the day
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Work respectfully and cooperatively with camp staff and help out whenever and wherever needed
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Lead cohort of up to 12 children and ensure a fun and safe camp experience based on connection and shared time together
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Lead pre-planned themed activities, field games, crafts, and lesson plans
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Engage children in exploring and playing in nature
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Supervise children while playing in and out of water
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Participate in all camp activities
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Attend required staff training and meetings
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Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
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Positive attitude and a sense of humor
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Enthusiastic, reliable, creative flexible, and calm
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Comfortable speaking to and leading groups
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Minimum age of 18 years old.
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All qualified applicants must pass a criminal background check.
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First Aid, CPR & AED certification, or willingness to obtain
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Prior experience working with children
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Love of nature
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Enjoys working and being outside in all types of weather
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Strong team player
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Excellent verbal communicator
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Ability to communicate effectively with participants, parents, and staff
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Possess good risk assessment
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Committed to keeping participants safe
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Ability to stand on feet for up to 4 hours and hike on uneven terrain
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Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
Compensation and Benefits:
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This is a seasonal summer position
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Pay range: $21-$23/hour
Work Dates/Times: Must be available for at least 2 weeks of camp
Hours:
Depending upon the camp assigned, work hours will be either:
8:00am - 3:50pm
8:15am - 1:15pm
8:45am - 3:15pm
Must be available for 2 or more weeks of camp
Week 1, Jun 22 - 26 (high need)
Week 2, Jun 29 - Jul 3
Week 3, Jul 6 - 10
Week 4, Jul 13 - 17 (highest need)
Week 5, Jul 20 - 24 (highest need)
Week 6, Jul 27 - 31
Week 7, Aug 3 - 7
Week 8, Aug 10-14
Required Training Dates: June 15 - 16, 2026
Year-Round Outdoor Educator
For the 2026 summer and 2026-2027 school-year, we are seeking outdoor educators who love working with children to co-teach weekly classes in our year-round nature programs. Heartwood provides opportunities for children and families to learn through direct experience, while hiking, playing and exploring at Saint Edward State Park in Kenmore, WA. Our educators act as mentors, role models, and guides for the children as they spark engagement, create connections, and learn alongside the children each day.
Responsibilities:
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Bring a positive attitude to classes each day
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Respectfully engage with participants’ parents at arrival and departure, gathering the necessary information and relaying experiences of the day
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Work respectfully and cooperatively with staff
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Co-Lead class of 12-16 children and ensure a fun and safe experience based on environmental education, connection, and shared time together
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Plan and lead themed activities, field games, nature exploration, and lesson plans
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Engage children in exploring and playing in nature
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Supervise children while playing in and out of water
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Roles of summer camp staff
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Attend staff training and meetings
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Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
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Positive attitude and a sense of humor
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Enthusiastic, reliable, creative flexible, and calm
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Comfortable speaking to and leading groups of 16 children
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All qualified applicants must pass a criminal background check.
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Adult and Child First Aid & CPR certification, or willingness to obtain
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Love and prior experience working with children
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Love of nature
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Enjoys working and being outside in all types of weather
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Strong team player
-
Exceptional verbal communicator
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Ability to communicate effectively with participants, parents and staff
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Possess good risk assessment
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Committed to keeping participants safe
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Must be able to lift up to 60 pounds, and stand on feet up to 8 hours and hike on uneven terrain.
Compensation:
Pay Range: $22-$25, depending upon experience
Gear Stipend
401k 5% match after 1 year
Part-time, option for full-time in summer
Days: tbd
Substituting opportunities on off days.
Substitute Teacher
If you enjoy being around children and consider yourself an all-weather outdoor enthusiast, we'd be honored to have you apply.
The lead teacher will guide you throughout the day how to best support the class, your role will include:
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keeping an eye on the children and the surroundings (counting, watching boundaries, checking for hazards)
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supporting their exploration and discovery
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helping with bathroom breaks
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ensuring that the class stays together during hikes
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assisting the teacher in circle time, activities and games
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helping to set up and take down the class space and materials
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modeling a positive and inquisitive attitude
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modeling a positive attitude about the weather rain and shine
Let us know if you have any questions or need to borrow any gear. We have adult rain jackets and pants. Thank you for your help!
Pay Range: $21-$22/hour
We have 2 types of substituting: Advanced Notice and Short Notice
Days: Any availability is welcome, we have classes Monday-Friday
Hours vary between 8:45am-4:15pm
“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." -John Muir
