Senior Naturalist, Inside the Outdoors at Orange County Department of Education
About the Employer
The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) serves some of Orange County’s most vulnerable student populations and provides support and mandated fiscal oversight to 28 school districts serving more than 600 schools and approximately 475,000 students. In addition to providing direct instruction to students through its own alternative and special education programs, OCDE administers an array of programs and services that are critical to the operations of local school districts and community colleges, facilitating professional development, legal guidance, payroll, career and technical education support, high-speed internet access, Local Control and Accountability Plan assistance and approval, resources for families, and student enrichment. OCDE’s vision is that “Orange County students will lead the nation in college and career readiness and success.” Department staff are working to achieve this goal in collaboration with educators at all levels of student development, from early childhood through higher education, and in partnership with families, businesses and community organizations.
Job Summary
Job Summary
The Orange County Department of Education is seeking an engaging Senior Naturalist to support its Inside the Outdoors program. This position leads hands-on environmental science activities for students and teachers through Traveling Scientist programs at school sites, coordinates and oversees field naturalists, supports curriculum development, and helps ensure safe, well-organized programs at outdoor sites and schools throughout Southern California. The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic environmental educator with strong knowledge of natural sciences, inquiry-based instruction, and effective strategies for working with school-age children. They will be a collaborative leader and skilled communicator who can manage groups, adapt to changing conditions, and build positive relationships with students, educators, volunteers, and community partners.
Requirements / Qualifications
Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: • Bachelor’s degree in a natural science-related field. • One (1) year of experience working with school-aged children; or a combination of training and experience.
There are supplemental questions in the application. Please note that the EdJoin system will time-out after a 20-minute period of perceived inactivity. To assist you in the preparation of your application, the supplemental questions are listed here. Your responses should be thoughtful and thorough, and within the limit of 5,000 characters or less. We recommend that you prepare your responses in advance of beginning the application. 1. Please describe any experience that you have in teaching or leading environmental education programs. Please include name(s) and location(s) of program(s) where you’ve worked. 2. All of Inside the Outdoors’ programs are aligned with current California content standards, including Next Generation Science Standards. Please describe your experience with NGSS-aligned learning experiences and any training that you’ve had with NGSS. How might an NGSS-aligned learning experience be structured differently from traditional science learning experiences? Answering supplemental questions give applicants the opportunity to expand on relevant background and helps us better screen applicant qualifications for the position. Incomplete applications, including omission to supplemental questions, could possibly result in not being considered further in the recruitment process for this position. Notice to Applicants: If you require accommodation in the application process, please inform us.
Requirements / Qualifications
Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: • Bachelor’s degree in a natural science-related field. • One (1) year of experience working with school-aged children; or a combination of training and experience.
There are supplemental questions in the application. Please note that the EdJoin system will time-out after a 20-minute period of perceived inactivity. To assist you in the preparation of your application, the supplemental questions are listed here. Your responses should be thoughtful and thorough, and within the limit of 5,000 characters or less. We recommend that you prepare your responses in advance of beginning the application. 1. Please describe any experience that you have in teaching or leading environmental education programs. Please include name(s) and location(s) of program(s) where you’ve worked. 2. All of Inside the Outdoors’ programs are aligned with current California content standards, including Next Generation Science Standards. Please describe your experience with NGSS-aligned learning experiences and any training that you’ve had with NGSS. How might an NGSS-aligned learning experience be structured differently from traditional science learning experiences? Answering supplemental questions give applicants the opportunity to expand on relevant background and helps us better screen applicant qualifications for the position. Incomplete applications, including omission to supplemental questions, could possibly result in not being considered further in the recruitment process for this position. Notice to Applicants: If you require accommodation in the application process, please inform us.
Comments and Other Information
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the completed online application.
Before receiving authorization to work in this position, the individual selected will be required to provide a current negative TB authorization, within the last 60 days, and submit fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a confidential background investigation and record check. The tests are arranged and paid for by OCDE.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to verify the employability of all new employees. Before the Department will finalize an offer of employment, the candidate selected will be required to show original documents which establish both the individual’s identity and employment authorization. The candidate must also sign a statement under penalty of perjury regarding his/her employability.
We reserve the right to reopen, readvertise, or delay filling this position.
AA/EOE/ADA
Comments and Other Information
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the completed online application.
Before receiving authorization to work in this position, the individual selected will be required to provide a current negative TB authorization, within the last 60 days, and submit fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a confidential background investigation and record check. The tests are arranged and paid for by OCDE.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to verify the employability of all new employees. Before the Department will finalize an offer of employment, the candidate selected will be required to show original documents which establish both the individual’s identity and employment authorization. The candidate must also sign a statement under penalty of perjury regarding his/her employability.
We reserve the right to reopen, readvertise, or delay filling this position.
AA/EOE/ADA
Application Deadline
9/24/2026 11:55 PM Pacific
Date Posted
9/14/2026
Contact
Number of Openings
1
Salary
Pay Range
$4,601.00 - $6,038.00 Monthly
$4,601.00 - $6,038.00 Monthly
Add'l Salary Info
Classified, Range 38: Placement based on education and years of experience.
Length of Work Year
190 days / 10 months
Employment Type
Full Time
Benefits
We provide a safe, caring, courteous, and professional environment that fosters collaborative work and individual development for employees. OCDE offers generous, comprehensive, tax-free insurance benefits options to full-time members of the staff. Benefits may be prorated for employees working fewer than 12 months per year or less than full-time. Benefits packages include medical, dental, and vision care insurance for employees and their eligible dependents, and life insurance for employees.