ZD - Field Academy Experiential Learning Instructor — Urban Peak + Expeditions (Temporary, Part-Time)

Description

Reports to: Director of Field Academy
Location: Urban Peak Mothership + Denver Metro Area (within approximately one hour travel)
Employment Type: W-2 Temporary, Part-Time
Compensation: $24.00–$30.00/hour (based on experience and credentials)
Hours: Approximately 10–32 hours/week, depending on student needs
Position Term: Through June 30, with potential to renew beginning in August

About Field Academy

Zero Dropouts - Field Academy is a community-embedded, experiential learning program serving high school students through immersive, credit-bearing expeditions. We partner with schools and youth-serving organizations to create learning experiences grounded in academic rigor, lived experience, and real-world relevance.

Why This Role Exists

Field Academy exists to re-engage high school students through credit-earning, community-based learning experiences that restore momentum toward graduation and build belonging, agency, and purpose.

The Experiential Learning Instructor plays a central role in bringing this vision to life—facilitating interdisciplinary learning expeditions across the Denver Metro Area, building strong relationships with students, and partnering with community organizations to create meaningful, real-world learning opportunities.

This role is designed for educators who thrive outside traditional classrooms, value relational learning, and are energized by flexible, responsive programming shaped by student needs.

Position Overview

The Field Academy Experiential Learning Instructor facilitates credit-bearing learning experiences aligned to grades 9–12 English/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies standards through community partnerships, place-based learning, and applied projects.

This role includes a consistent weekly commitment of approximately 10–12 hours supporting a pilot partnership with Urban Peak, alongside opportunities for additional Field Academy programming as student needs and community partnerships grow.

Through the Urban Peak pilot, the Instructor works directly with young people experiencing housing instability—supporting educational planning, collaborating with shelter staff to design experiential learning opportunities, and helping students build pathways back into education through relationship-based coaching and applied learning.

In addition to this weekly anchor, Instructors will have the opportunity to facilitate Field Academy expeditions and learning experiences as new partnerships and contracts come online. These additional hours are offered based on program growth, student enrollment, and Instructor availability, and may occur:

• Over 3-day weekends (Friday–Sunday)
• During weekday half-days
• Full days during summer, fall, winter, or spring breaks

Because Field Academy programming is responsive to student needs and emerging partnerships, these additional expedition-based hours do not follow a consistent daily or weekly schedule.

Together, this role blends predictable weekly engagement through Urban Peak with flexible, community-embedded learning experiences, offering meaningful work for educators who thrive in relationship-centered, real-world learning environments.

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You:

• Believe learning happens through relationships and lived experience
• Are adaptable, creative, and comfortable with ambiguity
• Center student strengths rather than deficits
• Enjoy collaborating with community partners
• Are energized by experiential, place-based learning
• Can shift schedules week-to-week based on student needs

Key Responsibilities

Student Learning & Experience (Primary Focus)

• Facilitate experiential, credit-earning learning aligned to academic standards
• Build inclusive group culture and strong relationships with students
• Deliver interdisciplinary learning experiences rooted in real-world contexts
• Support students in demonstrating learning through portfolios, reflections, projects, and applied tasks
• Maintain safe, supportive environments that center student dignity, agency, and voice
• Provide consistent mentorship and encouragement throughout expeditions

Community Partnership & Logistics

• Collaborate closely with community partners, youth-serving organizations, shelters, advocacy groups, and mentoring organizations
• Coordinate logistics for off-site learning experiences
• Safely transport students using Field Academy–provided or rented 15-passenger vehicles
• Support day-to-day expedition logistics (materials, scheduling, site coordination)

Planning & Collaboration

• Co-design expeditions with Field Academy staff and partners
• Participate in planning, reflection, and continuous improvement conversations
• Communicate clearly with program leadership about student progress and emerging needs

Requirements

Required 

• Teaching, tutoring, or facilitation experience in middle or high school settings
• Comfort facilitating learning outside traditional classrooms
• Experience working with diverse youth and communities
• Strong group facilitation and relationship-building skills
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive a 15-passenger van
• Ability to pass criminal background and motor vehicle record checks
• Flexible availability, including weekends and school breaks

Preferred

• Colorado teaching license preferred (7–12 subject area strongly desired)
• Spanish speaking, reading, and writing abilities

Schedule, Employment Details & Compensation

• Employment type: W-2 temporary, part-time employee
• Hourly rate: $24.00–$30.00/hour, based on experience and credentials
• Hours: Varies, 10–32 hours/week
• Position term: Through June 30, with potential to renew beginning in August
• Schedule: Flexible and variable; may include weekday half-days, full days during school breaks, and 3-day weekend expeditions
• Consistent hours opportunity: Approximately 10–12 hours per week available through a pilot partnership with Urban Peak, in addition to flexible expedition-based programming
• Paid onboarding and training: All required onboarding, training, and planning meetings are compensated at the hourly rate
• Transportation: Staff will drive Field Academy–provided or rented vehicles. Mileage reimbursement is not applicable.