Build a program that prepares students for life—not just school.
Are you a visionary builder and systems thinker who thrives on turning big ideas into high-impact reality? Do you believe that outdoor education, environmental science, and nature-based discovery are essential components for fostering curiosity, stewardship, and scientific inquiry? If so, Aspen Academy wants to meet you! We are seeking a dynamic, strategic leader to activate and expand the programming at our new Nature and Science Center. This is not a traditional teaching role—it is a high-impact leadership position focused on integrating real-world environmental education and nature-based discovery across our entire Toddler through 8th Grade community.
FTE: Part-Time (0.5 FTE) | Onsite
Reporting Calendar: Initial term runs from Summer 2026 through June 4, 2027. For future years, this is a standard academic-year position running annually from August through early June.
Start Date: ASAP - June 2026
Hours: Monday–Friday, flexible schedule during school hours, averaging 20 hours/week
Starting Salary: $39,354 / annually ($45/hour, commensurate with education and experience)
Why Aspen Academy?
Located in the southern metro area of beautiful Denver, Colorado, at Aspen Academy, we're not just a school; we're a community committed to shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Our dedication to Next Generation education sets us apart, as we equip students with the enduring life skills they need for future success.
We embody and promote the community's values in our thoughts, words, and actions, serving as committed and supportive co-leaders in realizing Aspen Academy's vision and mission:
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Our values: Be Kind. Do Good. Work Hard. Make the World Better.
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Our mission: We edify and inspire students and educators to grow, learn and lead.
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Our vision: We are a national leader in innovative and transformative education.
About Your Role
As the Nature and Science Center Coordinator, you are the driving force behind Aspen Academy’s outdoor education initiatives. You aren't just managing a physical space; you are a strategic leader, instructional coach, and the school’s primary expert in environmental stewardship. While our basic facility is established, you will bring it to life by directing its complete "activation"—from equipment procurement and safety protocols to collaborating with faculty to weave hands-on scientific inquiry directly into core K–8 classrooms. This role perfectly balances vision and execution to ensure our nature-based learning is impactful, safe, and truly transformative.
To thrive in this role, you must be a:
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Visionary Builder & Systems Thinker: You thrive on turning big ideas into executable, scalable programs that impact an entire Toddler–8th Grade community. You are eager to take an established basic facility and completely "activate" it through thoughtful equipment procurement and curriculum alignment.
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Lateral Leader: You possess the unique ability to influence, inspire, and coach faculty members who do not report directly to you, driving institutional excellence and program fidelity across all grade levels and throughout the school.
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Meticulous Implementer: You can anticipate and execute complex logistical and operational needs. You are highly organized and possess the operational foresight to proactively manage scheduling, facility outfitting, and comprehensive safety protocols—staying two steps ahead to successfully bring ideas to life.
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Strategic Evaluator & Results-Oriented Leader: You consistently analyze the impact and safety of every program track, ensuring high-fidelity implementation, tracking student and classroom engagement, and utilizing outcomes to foster continuous program growth.
What You’ll Do
As the Nature and Science Center Coordinator, you aren't just overseeing a facility; you are a strategic leader and implementer of a culture. You will move between high-level strategy and on-the-ground execution to ensure our students aren't just learning about nature—they are actively engaging with it.
Responsibilities include:
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Lead Program Evolution: Guide the strategic direction of the Nature and Science program, fostering a culture of curiosity, environmental stewardship, and scientific inquiry from Toddlers to 8th Grade.
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Drive School-Wide Integration: Collaborate with K–8 faculty to ensure classrooms consistently embed nature-based activities and environmental science into core academic domains (Math, Literacy, Science, Social Studies).
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Act as an Instructional Coach: Provide guidance, mentorship, and "nature-literacy" training to faculty and volunteers to build their capacity and confidence in utilizing the outdoor classroom.
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Direct Center Activation & Procurement: Manage the initial outfitting of the nature center, including the procurement, tracking, and maintenance of scientific equipment, tools, and educational materials.
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Manage Logistics & Scheduling: Coordinate the use of the center and outdoor spaces, ensuring equitable, organized, and optimized access for all grade levels across a flexible schedule.
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Enforce Safety & Compliance: Establish, document, and enforce comprehensive safety protocols, emergency procedures, and safety inspections for all outdoor activities.
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Cultivate External Partnerships: Recruit, schedule, and manage relationships with environmental guest speakers, local nature organizations, or specialized summer camp vendors.
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Serve as Primary Spokesperson: Serve as the main point of contact for families regarding nature program updates, expectations, and special events, maintaining a highly visible and positive community presence.
What You’ll Need to Get the Job Done
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Required Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (preferred in Environmental Science, Biology, Education, or a related field). Master’s degree, teaching credential, or license preferred.
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Required Experience: 3+ years of experience in nature-based education or school-based science program design, implementation, and coordination. 2+ years of experience in an elementary and/or middle school setting preferred.
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Required Certifications: CPR / First Aid certification. Certified Environmental Educator or similar professional credentials highly preferred.
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Program & Instructional Leadership: Demonstrated success in curriculum design, project management, and instructional coaching, with a track record of mapping specialty content into core subjects.
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Communication, Relationship Building & Faculty Motivation: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to articulately pitch and champion the program’s vision to faculty, administration, and parents. Because this center is integrating into an already robust, full school schedule, you must be a creative problem solver and an inspirational motivator who can effortlessly build buy-in, energize teachers, and demonstrate the agility to seamlessly pivot when weather or scheduling conflicts arise.
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Systems & Technology Acumen: High degree of reliability and self-motivation to manage the center independently; proficiency with Google Suite for scheduling and documentation.
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Google and learning management systems
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Grant permission for a credit check and criminal background check.
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Meet physical demands to perform essential functions of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:Ability to work a consistent part-time schedule; work in person/in the school building as well as outside in the elements, including occasional evenings and weekends. Regularly required to speak, stand for long periods, walk, use hands, reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Visual and auditory agility to quickly assess safety/health issues and respond appropriately.
What You’ll Love About Us
Be Kind. Do Good. Work Hard. Make the World Better. These are the values our team embodies day to day. Below are some of the ways in which we promise to value and invest in you during your time here:
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Purpose-Driven Culture: The unique opportunity to build and shape a new program from the ground up, making a tangible, everyday impact on students from Toddlers through 8th Grade.
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Community & Belonging: A deep sense of belonging within a talented, dedicated staff of teaching professionals, supportive administrators, and a closely connected school community.
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Professional Development: Access to a professional development reimbursement program along with participation in monthly onsite professional development sessions.
Salary Range: Starting at $39,354 / annually ($45/hour based on experience and education, 20 hours / week)
