The Bush School

Open Position: Outdoor Education Faculty and Coordinator

Direct Reports: N/A

Reporting To: Experiential Programs Manager  

FLSA Status: Salary Exempt

When Needed: 2026-2027 School Year (August -June)          

FT/PT: Full-time or FTE% 1 (10-month academic year) 

On-site: Yes 

Pay rate: $58,833-$107,381

Why Bush School?  

You thrive in a fast-paced environment, working alongside others who share your ideals. You are inspired by children and appreciate their joy and energy. You enjoy making an impact and being part of something bigger than yourself. You believe that schools should be among the most innovative places on earth. And you are committed to excellence and professional growth.  

Who We Are:  

Founded in 1924 and located in the Madison Valley neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, The Bush School is a private, non-sectarian school for Preschool through twelfth Grade students. Our educational journey is defined by a cognitively engaging program with an emphasis on developing character, leadership, and a passion for learning and achievement. Our highly regarded curriculum prepared students to excel at future endeavors while honoring the school’s long standing core values.   

We commit to an inclusive and diverse community in which everyone can say, "I belong." We seek employees who are passionate, qualified, and offer diverse perspectives. We are particularly interested in the role education, and a diverse learning environment play in promoting equity and inclusivity.  

Position Summary

The Bush School seeks a dynamic, organized, and student-centered Outdoor Education Faculty and Coordinator to support and lead a robust K-12 outdoor education programs. This position is ideal for an educator with strong technical outdoor leadership experience, a background outdoor education, and demonstrated capacity to manage logistics while building meaningful relationships with students.

This position plays a central role in teaching, trip planning, gear management, and student leadership development. This person will serve as an advisor, teach middle school E-Lectives and Upper School Outdoor Education semester-long offerings, and lead wilderness trips and immersive experiential education programs. The role blends logistical coordination, teaching, and field leadership/mentorship of students.

General Responsibilities:

• Serve as an instructor for middle school wilderness trips, all middle school E-Lective cycles, and upper school Outdoor Education semester-long courses (1 in fall & 1 in spring) 

• Serve as faculty on grade-level retreats 

• Serve as faculty lead on longer immersion programs (E-Weeks or Cascades)

• Co-lead middle school advisory

• Provide strong in-field leadership grounded in inclusive practices, sound judgment, and effective risk management. Additionally, model and teach outdoor skills, environmental stewardship, and leadership development 

Experiential Programs Coordination

• Manage gear closets and maintain program gear, including inventory systems, repair schedules, purchasing, and budgeting. Create a trackable system for lending gear to students and groups

• Support logistical coordination for trips, including transportation for overnight trips, permits, itineraries, rosters, and documentation

• Partner with E-Week and Cascades leaders to provide first aid kits, any student or group gear that is needed, and train them on use of inReaches and carbon monoxide monitors 

• Collaborate with the experiential education department and faculty to align experiential programming with Bush’s mission and curricular goals

Community & Collaboration

• Contribute to building an inclusive and equitable experiential education program that supports students of diverse backgrounds and experience levels

• Participate in faculty meetings and professional development days as required

Required Education, Training & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree 

• Experience in outdoor education, experiential education, wilderness leadership, or related field

• Demonstrated experience leading students in outdoor settings 

• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification (or willingness to obtain)

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Ability to follow and manage equipment systems and logistical planning

• Willingness to go through Bush driver training and drive all vehicles in the school’s fleet 

• Meet state and The Bush School’s vehicle driving standards

• Commitment to inclusive practices and student-centered teaching

• Proficient skills in the use of technology: including but not limited to Google Drive and Outlook

• Willingness to travel and spend 30-50 days in the field throughout the school year 

Preferred Education, Training, & Experience: 

• Possesses technical skills to instruct students in multiple disciplines of outdoor education (e.g. backpacking, climbing, sea kayaking, skiing, mountain biking, etc.)

• Experience working in educational environments with students in grades K-12

• International travel or cross-cultural experience 

• Experience teaching semester-long courses or electives

• Familiarity with satellite communication devices (e.g. Garmin inReach) 

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of the children and program.   

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.   

• Ability to work efficiently in a Windows/Mac based environment

• Ability to maintain confidential information.    

• Ability to work collaboratively in a variety of teams.   

• Ability to work outside in all weather.    

• Some travel required (field trips).    

Key Attributes

• Calm, thoughtful decision-maker in dynamic outdoor environments

• Systems-oriented and detail-driven

• Warm, relational presence with students, colleagues, and families

• Growth mindset and collaborative spirit

• Enthusiastic about reflection, leadership development, and environmental stewardship

Physical and Mental Requirements:  

• Mental Requirements – Ability to reason logically and make sound decisions, to consider alternative and diverse perspectives, to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, to remain poised under all circumstances, and to interact effectively with people in a positive manner that creates confidence and trust.

• Physical Requirements – walking to various work areas, going up and down stairs, Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds of gear

• Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants interested in applying for this opportunity should visit our website at www.bush.edu and navigate to the employment section of the website (found under the “About Bush” tab) for additional information/instructions. If you are interested in working at The Bush School, but this position doesn’t fit your talents, please visit our website for additional openings: www.bush.edu. While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted. 

The Bush School is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admission or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information.  In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment based on the basis of age or marital status.