Student Jobs

The mission of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center (ALNC) is to nurture children, their well-being, and environmental sustainability through connecting and learning in nature. Established in 1994, we are an independent, non-profit organization that, in the spirit of Aldo Leopold and the Land Ethic, teaches students to see the land, to understand what they see and to enjoy what they understand…as part of our shared community.

Located in Monona, we work to engage, educate, and empower students through programming and services designed primarily for school age children, ages 2-14. We reach these students, and others, through their teachers and families, our community partners, donors, and volunteers, through School Field Trips, Summer Camps, Wonder Bugs, Homeschool Programs, After School Programs, Vacation Day Programs, Scout Programs, and Aldo Leopold Nature Preschool.

This is a part-time position on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-5:45. There are often additional opportunities to add on hours helping with other preschool programs. 

Position Summary

We are seeking an early childhood educator for our wrap-around After Care preschool program. Nature preschool educators are primarily responsible for the supervision of the students enrolled at ALNP and maintaining safe and engaging indoor and outdoor classroom spaces.Educators must be willing to spend a majority of their program outside in all weather, facilitating the hands-on, nature-based, child-centered, emergent-style play, supporting and encouraging students to learn to love learning while playing outside. ALNP’s ideal candidate has a genuine love for young children, a deep personal connection to nature and a strong commitment to high quality early childhood programming.  

Specific duties & responsibilities include:  

• Supervision and care of children. 
• Carry out all aspects of the ALNP daily activities and routines. Collaborate and plan with co-teachers to maintain a healthy, safe, engaging, and positive environment (inside and outside) for children that supports positive whole-child development.
• Demonstrate a desire to work outdoors and an eagerness to learn (more) about the natural world through the eyes of a child.  Guide students in their learning and explorations in a calm, encouraging and consistent manner. 
• Uphold the vision, mission and philosophy of ALNC and ALNP in all duties and practices.

• Experience working with early childhood age children in formal and/or non-formal education settings.
• Excellent communication skills with adults and children.
• Ability to provide a safe environment for exploration, demonstrate patience and caring, and exude a love of learning.
• Respect, concern, and excitement for the natural environment and a demonstrated ability to share that excitement with others. 
• Desire to work outside in all weather and have willingness and ability to meet physical demands of the position (i.e., hike over uneven terrain, bending, kneeling, lifting 50 pounds). 
• Knowledge of regional flora and fauna preferred, but not required.
• Superior work ethic, self-starter, strong attention to detail, excellent organization & planning skills.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree or degree in progress in environmental education, education, early childhood education, natural science or related field. Experience can supplant the degree requirement. ALNC values wisdom and experience and understands that this may not come through a formal degree. 

• Compliance with DCF educational and experience-related specifications for early childhood teachers. Training will be provided if needed.
• Team player with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously; able to shift gears quickly. 
• Tact and sensitivity with the public, program participants, staff, and volunteers.   
• Standard First Aid and Adult/Infant & Child CPR/AED and Abusive Head Trauma training required. Training will be provided.

To Apply

Please send resume to:

Courtney Woods

Aldo Leopold Nature Preschool Director

preschool@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org.

Application materials are accepted on a rolling basis. Position starts September 3, 2025.