**START DATE: September 2025**_Would you love to guide middle schoolers through meaningful nature-connected experiences that support their personal development?_**JOB DESCRIPTION:****[B’naiture](https://wildernesstorah.org/programs/youth-and-family-programs/bnaiture/) is a two-year, experiential program for youth ages 11-13** that uses nature as a vehicle to explore the transition from childhood to adolescence. B’naiture is forging a new Jewish pathway for nature and soul-centric B’nai Mitzvah.This program of Wilderness Torah weaves Jewish teachings, story, and song with personal challenges, outdoor skills, non-parental mentorship, peer group community building, and nature awareness activities to provide an embodied way for youth to explore coming-of-age. B’naiture meets from October—May on six Sundays from 10:30-4:30pm in the East Bay Parks, six Wednesday nights in Berkeley backyards, and three weekend camping trips.We seek educators with 3+ years experience in youth mentoring, nature connection, wilderness skills, and Jewish learning to serve as a mentor for our B’naiture program for the 2025-26 season. As a B’naiture mentor, your role is to provide nature-based games, challenges, crafts, stories, Jewish and nature-based learning, and help guide youth into their teen years.**Compensation: $26-30/hour**Pay is commensurate with experience; this is a part-time, contract role.**JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:**- Attend staff training weekend, additional trainings throughout year, and end of season staff debrief- Create plan in collaboration with lead mentors before each meeting- Participate in monthly staff meeting, and additional meetings as needed- Mentor and guide youth, maintain safety and health of all participants- Profile select group of participants- responsibilities include scheduling and following through on parent meetings and providing additional support as needed- Arrive promptly for each meeting- Sundays generally 9-5 and Wednesdays 4-8:30, and for set-up, clean-up and duration of camping trips- Respond promptly to e-mail correspondence from program manager and team**QUALIFICATIONS & EXPECTATIONS:****Head**- A willingness to learn new things- Timeliness and foresight: able to arrive promptly and prepared with materials and teaching you have agreed to for each program day- A knowledge of and/or commitment to learning Jewish stories, songs, and teachings is helpful- Knowledge of the Eight Shields model desired- Knowledge of and experience with Rite-of-Passage desired**Heart**- A love of and deep connection to the natural world- An ability to be a team player, as much of what we create is a collaboration of our ideas and experience- Excitement to cultivate community and cohesion amongst staff and participants- Experience and love of teaching, mentoring, and working with youth ages 11-13**Hands**- Specific nature-based and wilderness skills you are excited to teach- Comfort with building and tending fire, basic whittling skills; music skills a plus- Ability to lift at least 25 pounds; able to be outside in various weather conditions, from very hot to extremely rainy and wet with a bright attitude that inspires the kids**ABOUT YOU:**- 3+ years experience providing either wilderness, nature-based or rites-of-passage programming- Naturalist and wilderness skills knowledge; experience teaching wilderness skills is a bonus- Knowledge of the Jewish calendar and holiday cycles, stories, and values; Experience teaching in Jewish education is a bonus- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a dynamic team of youth mentors and can think on their feet- We are ideally looking for people who are interested in continuing on with us as mentors in the future.**ABOUT WILDERNESS TORAH:**A five-time Slingshot award winner as one of the nation’s most innovative Jewish nonprofits, Wilderness Torah’s mission is to awaken and celebrate the earth-based traditions of Judaism to nourish the connections between self, community, earth, and Spirit. See our website at [www.wildernesstorah.org](http://www.wildernesstorah.org/).Founded in 2007, Wilderness Torah has served more than 8,000 participants with programs that reconnect Judaism to nature, including multi-generational land-based holiday festivals; outdoor Jewish education for grades K-12; and young adult leadership training.**To Apply:**- Send a resume (two pages maximum), two references and cover letter (one page) to [youth@wildernesstorah.org](mailto:youth@wildernesstorah.org)- Read thoroughly on our web site about the program(s) to which you are applying- Include the title of the position you are applying for in the subject heading- **Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until July 1.**Wilderness Torah is an equal opportunity employer. Local candidates only. Must be able to lift 25 pounds.Thank you!