4 Elements Earth Education (4EEE) is looking for enthusiastic Earth Skills Instructors to lead or support our Youth Programs in Outdoor Nature Connection activities, Earth Skills Development and Wilderness Experience Programs for youth, teens and families aged 4+.
Join Our Team
* This program is for Youth aged 15-20: Interns aged 15-17 | Instructors in Training aged 18-20
We are a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit, founded in 2010 and offers Youth, Teen and Family programs in Nevada City, CA | New Jersey and South Texas.
Our mission is to offer programs that guide youth, teens and families to a more connected and balanced relationship with Mother Earth through caretaking and Earth Living Skills.
Our Youth Programs introduce children to the ancient arts of tracking, wilderness survival, and nature awareness.
Summer Earth Skills Leadership Program
2026 Summer Earth Skills Leadership Program
The 4 Elements Earth Education (4EEE) Summer Earth Skills Leadership Program offers an immersive, hands-on, month-long experience in outdoor education, youth mentorship, and nonprofit program operations.
A core element of this program is our teaching philosophy. Rooted in the lineage of Grandfather Stalking Wolf and carried forward by educators such as Tom Brown Jr., we practice what is often called Coyote Teaching.
This approach emphasizes curiosity, awareness, and learning through direct experience; guiding students to discover knowledge rather than simply being given it. Interns will gain exposure to this unique method and begin developing their own capacity to teach in this way.
Based at the Burton Educational Preserve, participants will support summer day camps while developing practical skills in facilitation, communication, land stewardship, and program development.
This program is designed for individuals passionate about nature-based education, community engagement and personal growth.
This program is for Youth aged 15-20
Interns aged 15-17 | Instructors in Training aged 18-20
Role Description
Participants play an active role in supporting 4EEE’s summer programming while developing professional and interpersonal skills as well as deepening their personal skills as they work on an intern-only project.
Responsibilities include:
Assisting instructors with daily camp activities
Supporting youth participants through engagement, guidance, and supervision
Helping set up, facilitate, and clean up program spaces
Participating in group management and behavior support
Contributing to a positive, inclusive, and safe learning environment
Representing 4EEE at community events (e.g., Hot Summer Nights)
Office Assistant
Join Our Team — Office Assistant (Part-Time)
What You’ll Do
Be the welcoming first point of contact for families, volunteers, and community members
Support program registration, communication, and participant coordination
Keep the office running smoothly through scheduling, filing, and general administrative tasks
Assist with basic bookkeeping, including tracking payments, expenses, and simple financial records
Help staff prepare for programs, events, and seasonal offerings
Are you looking for meaningful, part-time work where you can support your local community, connect with people, and contribute to something bigger?
4 Elements Earth Education is seeking a warm, organized, and reliable Office Assistant to help support our growing nature-based education programs. This is a part-time role (up to 20 hours per week), ideal for someone who enjoys people, values organization, and wants to play a vital role behind the scenes of a mission-driven nonprofit.
This position may be especially well-suited for a retiree or semi-retired individual who is looking to stay engaged, give back locally, and earn supplemental income while supporting youth, families, and environmental education.
Who You Are
Friendly, dependable, and comfortable interacting with a variety of people
Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple tasks
Comfortable with basic computer tools (email, spreadsheets, online systems)
Experienced or willing to assist with light bookkeeping tasks
Someone who values community, nature, and supporting youth and families
Why This Role Matters
At 4EEE, we believe in fostering connection—to the land, to each other, and to future generations. This role is essential in helping our programs run smoothly and ensuring families feel welcomed and supported from their very first interaction.
Position Details
Part-time: Up to 20 hours per week
Location: On-site (with occasional support at programs or events)
Compensation: Hourly, based on experience
If you’re looking for a way to stay active, contribute to your community, and support meaningful work, we’d love to hear from you.
Join Our Team
Assistant Instructors
Assistant Instructor
4 Elements Earth Education (4EEE) is looking for enthusiastic Earth Skills Assistant Instructors to support our Youth Programs in Outdoor Nature Connection activities, Earth Skills Development and Wilderness Experience Programs for youth, teens and families aged 4+.
Key Dates
Program Duration: July 1-25, 2026
Arrival: June 30
Training Days: July 1–2 (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Summer Day Camp Support
July 6–10 (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
July 13–17 (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
July 20–24 (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
As part of our Summer Earth Skills Leadership Program for 2026, we have opportunities for more experienced Instructors who are looking for an immersive, hands-on, month-long experience in outdoor education, youth mentorship, and nonprofit program. It will run from July 1 - July 25, 2026 alongside the Leadership Program at the Burton Educational Preserve in Nevada City, California. This program is available to adults 21+.
A core element of this program is our teaching philosophy. Rooted in the lineage of Grandfather Stalking Wolf and carried forward by educators such as Tom Brown Jr., we practice what is often called Coyote Teaching. This approach emphasizes curiosity, awareness, and learning through direct experience; guiding students to discover knowledge rather than simply being given it.
Assistant Instructors will gain exposure to this unique method from instructors that have been teaching in this philosophy for over 30 years and begin developing their own capacity to teach in this way.
Ultimately, this program is designed for people passionate about sharing nature-based education with others and are ready to develop leadership skills in an environment dedicated to community and relationship with Mother Earth.
Who This is For:
Assistant Instructors: ages 21+
Experience in teaching Earth Skills and Land Stewardship
Enthusiasm for working with youth and sharing earth based skills and knowledge
Able to manage a group of youth for parts of the day independent of the Lead Instructor, with support of interns
Interest in expanding their learning to educate children through hands-on experiences in an outdoor education program
Interest in taking on a supporting leadership role, supporting instructors directly
Comfort spending most of the day outdoors in local summer weather
Willingness to learn our teaching lineage and philosophy
Able to model strong personal responsibility and appropriate boundaries with peers and participants
Must be willing to undergo a background check as part of working with youth in this program (this will be arranged and paid for by 4EEE).
Please review our teaching philosophy before determining whether to apply.
Application Submission Requirements
Please submit ALL the following materials in your application packet to info@4eee.org
Mail to: 4EEE, P.O. Box 1823, Nevada City, CA 95959:
A brief letter introducing yourself and your interest in the position
Your resume, detailing education, employment and "dirt time" experience
Two non-family references
Completed 4E Earth Skills Self-Evaluation.
PLEASE NOTE: This is the annual self-evaluation used internally by our most advanced staff to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Applicants are not expected to rank highly on this. The primary purpose is to determine the baseline; where you are today to serve as a reference point of progress and to determine the best place you might fit in our team.
*We are an equal opportunity employer and we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Ongoing Opportunities
Applicants with less experience and/or skills may be invited to join our team in a supporting role (internships or volunteer opportunities), provided they exhibit interest in developing individual skills and are personally motivated by our mission. Specific job duties and compensation shall be negotiated based on experience.
4EEE Employment Opportunities:
Part-time or Full-time depending on your availability and programs current needs.
Seasonal opportunities Spring through Fall.
Typically 24-40 hours/week on average.
Compensation package negotiated based on skills, availability & needs.
* The Earth Skills Instructor role includes an on-the-job paid training period, during which new hires will shadow different instructors and see how they run 4EEE programs. After the training period, the employee would be handling more responsibility and contributing to the team.
We are a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit, founded in 2010 and offers Youth, Teen and Family programs in Nevada City, CA | New Jersey and South Texas.
Our mission is to offer programs that guide youth, teens and families to a more connected and balanced relationship with Mother Earth through caretaking and Earth Living Skills.
Our Youth Programs introduce children to the ancient arts of tracking, wilderness survival, and nature awareness.
Our ideal candidate:
Genuine passion for working with children and teens and understands their developmental needs
Knows what Earth Skills are and has at practice in some, but preferably proficiency in many of these skills
Has personal experiences of deep nature connection through wilderness immersion/survival living/etc
Experience with Coyote Teaching method w/ youth
Effective leadership in group dynamics that builds trust
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Current First Aid/CPR certifications
Clean criminal record (background check required)
Eligible to work in the U.S. (I-9 required)
Feels personally aligned with and motivated by the 4EEE mission
This is a very unique position and we hold high standards for Earth Skills experience; respect for nature and community; ability to engage and encourage youth and families; and capacity for teamwork, honesty and integrity.Please review our teaching philosophy before determining whether to apply.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
Oversee physical and emotional safety and instruction for children during our programs
Guide groups of 6-15 children, with at least one other instructor/intern, through the day's activities
Work with teaching team to develop lesson plans and related program activities.
Stay open, aware and flexible to recognize and seize opportunities to facilitate spontaneous teaching in the flow of nature
Participate in instructor planning meetings, staff development trainings, promotional events and other meetings as requested
As experience permits, mentor the teen interns and volunteers that serve our programs.
Application Submission Requirements
Please submit ALL the following materials in your application packet to info@4eee.orgor
Mail to: 4EEE, P.O. Box 1823, Nevada City, CA 95959:
A brief letter introducing yourself and your interest in the position
Your resume, detailing education, employment and "dirt time" experience
Two non-family references
Completed 4E Earth Skills Self-Evaluation.
PLEASE NOTE: This is the annual self-evaluation used internally by our most advanced staff to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Applicants are not expected to rank highly on this. The primary purpose is to determine the baseline; where you are today to serve as a reference point of progress and to determine the best place you might fit in our team.
*We are an equal opportunity employer and we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Internships:
Opportunities for Teens aged 14 and up
Specific Duties:
Assist with the sharing of skills, the leading of activities, and implementing of the general program flow
Ensure that all students follow safety guidelines set forth at the beginning of the program.
Recognize any behavior or activity that might need attention from someone of a higher ranking position among the staff.
Follow all rules set for the program.
Assist with a preparation of breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a rotating schedule and assist with the clean up of such meals. (overnight programs only)
Assist with caring for the tools and supplies used during the program to make sure that nothing is mistreated, wasted, or put away incorrectly
Help lead volunteers to accomplish their chores and make sure they are done both correctly safely and efficiently
Communicate clearly with other staff members during meetings about things such as program, scheduling, appropriate activities, weather concerns, health, hazards, morale, deficiencies, or anything in regards to the programs facilitation
Constantly monitor the health, safety, and morale of the participants
Assist with the rotating schedule of activities during siesta times after meals and evening activities. (overnight programs only)
Respect the quiet time rules and assist with implementing them when appropriate.
To tend to one’s well being so much so that they are in a position to not only keep up with the program activities, but to be able to go above and beyond in the case of an emergency or any event requiring a great deal of effort (food, water, rest, etc.)
Compensation:
Discussed and agreed upon on an individual basis.
Avenues of compensation: work trade for 4EEE Programs discounts or full tuition.
Possible monetary compensation may also be discussed after experience is gained and based on the quality of work, time with the organization.
Interns assist with the sharing of curriculum skills and the leading of activities with the participants, as well as the ‘behind the scenes’ tasks of offering successful programs.
During the program, they are always expected to help maintain the ongoing role modeling that is crucial to these programs' success. In addition, they are partially responsible for the well-being and actions of the students under their care, which may include recognizing potential changes to participants' health, learning and other issues that may be going on.
Interns are also expected to do what they see as appropriate to help students' abilities increase and improve during the time with our organization, without simply handing over every answer or doing a project for a participant.
“ We are all working for the same Vision but do so in our own unique way...”
— 1st Coyote Thunder Gathering | Tom Brown Jr 1978