Job Description

Start Date: August 1, 2025

Summary:

San Francisco Waldorf High School seeks an enthusiastic and experienced Outdoor Education Program Lead for a position starting with the 2025-2026 school year. This candidate will have a high degree of skill in managing experiential learning environments for adolescents aged 13-19. Deep enthusiasm for transmitting love and respect for nature is a must.

About Waldorf Education: 

While Waldorf teacher training is preferred, we welcome strong candidates who demonstrate a willingness to learn about our approach. Successful candidates will be expected to participate in our in-house teacher development program and attend designated professional development days.

Waldorf Education is the fastest growing independent school movement in the world.  This dynamic approach to child development and education is continually evolving to meet today’s students and prepare them for tomorrow. Waldorf education inspires life-long learning in students and enables them to fully develop their unique capacities.

San Francisco Waldorf School (SFWS) was founded in 1979 and currently enrolls 380 students throughout a parent-child program, a preschool program, kindergarten, and Grades 1-12.  The high school campus is located in the West Portal neighborhood which is easily accessible via public transportation.  Fifty percent of high school students identify as multiracial or people of color.

Requirements Overview

The candidate will have highly developed and specific skills in outdoor trip leadership that include: 

• At least 2 years combined experience teaching, and leading teenagers in front-country and backcountry camping, hiking, backpacking, and navigation
• Strong risk management skills & tolerance for adversity
• Experience driving a 9-passenger van 
• Valid Wilderness First Responder certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Leave No Trace practitioner, champion of environmental ethics education
• Able to hold both high level vision of programming and give attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills: including use of Google Suite tools and ability to learn gradebook software

Outdoor Education Program Lead Responsibilities: 

Trip Logistics & Risk Management

• Serve as lead faculty for all overnight outdoor education programs (approx 35 nights per year)
• Scout and book locations for all trips (4?5 day/3?4 overnight) for grades 9-12 (approx. 6 trips per school year)
• Hold vision for all aspects of on-trip logistics & pre-trip parent and student communications
• Develop, oversee and enforce risk management protocols for all trips
• Manage and maintain outdoor gear
• Plan allergy appropriate menus and purchasing food for all trips  

Faculty Mentorship & Training

• Work alongside Waldorf faculty to prepare them to chaperone trips 
• Hire and train additional Outdoor Education Trip Assistants (1 per trip) 
• Work with class teachers to develop curriculum for class trips, demonstrating willingness to work with Waldorf pedagogy

On Campus Responsibilities

• Lead two blocks of OE activities as part of the PE program; for example: Backpacking 101, Habitat Restoration  
• Join a faculty leadership committee of your choice (Example: Community Engagement, Safety, Guidance, Assembly, etc.) 
• Attend weekly faculty meetings 
• Serve as academic student advisor for 6-8 students, meeting quarterly and as needed
• Serve as a class sponsor
• Participate in all-school service days

Preferred Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree or higher  
• Mental health first aid training, Professional risk management certifications
• Waldorf Teacher Training/Knowledge of or interest in Waldorf Education
• Significant experience working with teens  

Benefits and Compensation:  

Benefits include medical, dental, flexible spending plans, retirement plan (employer contributions after one year of employment), and tuition remission (prorated by FTE) for eligible dependents in our Preschool - Grade 12 program (staff fees apply) . The full 1 FTE annual salary range is $60K - $95K depending on experience. The salary will be prorated for less than a full 1 FTE.  Salaries are paid on a 12-month schedule.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Be able to lift to 50+ lbs.
• Work often in outside weather conditions, including heat and cold
• Regularly sitting or standing 4-8 hours

FLSA Classification : Faculty; Exempt from overtime

Reports to : High School Chair 

Hired by: High School Steering Committee

Date Modified: March 2025

San Francisco Waldorf School is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, or any protected class. We recognize that the range of ethnicities, nationalities, languages, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientation, learning differences, and life experiences within our community enhance the school’s learning environment, and we are committed to fostering equity and inclusion. 

Please send resume and letter of interest to jobs@sfwaldorf.org

About San Francisco Waldorf School

San Francisco Waldorf School (SFWS) is an independent, co-educational, non-sectarian school providing education from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school is fully accredited by the Western Association of Colleges and Schools (WASC) and by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA). SFWS was established in 1979 with the purpose of bringing the 100-year old international Waldorf school movement to San Francisco. SFWS now has over 400 students in grades K though 12 on two campuses including its new “green” high school campus (LEED Gold certification pending). In addition, the school supports a nursery program and early childhood classes for parents and children.

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