Position:

Youth Facilitator – 10 month project

Place of Work:

Ennistymon, Co. Clare

Project Length:

Sept – June 2025

Hours:

Part-time (20 hours/week). 

Wild Earth - Project Description

Wild Earth provides free access for young people to therapeutic nature-based learning sessions, in biodiverse and beautiful natural settings in Co. Clare. Using evidence informed approaches, Wild Earth seeks to enhance mental well-being, build resilience in and improve the physical health of its young participants 

At Wild Earth, young people, including those from vulnerable and marginalized groups, are free to immerse themselves in play and exploration in the natural environment, whilst being supported and guided by skilled facilitators who provide a judgement free and safe space for young people to thrive. 

At Wild Earth, everyone is respected and valued as a unique individual; the rights of young people are upheld through autonomy, self-direction and community decision-making and restorative practices. We embrace self-expression, authenticity, diversity, and consent and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity or expression, race or ethnicity, nationality, religion, physical ability, or any other definable or non-definable descriptor.

Overview of the role   

Wild Earth Youth Facilitators work alongside one another with compassion and respect, to support the self-directed learning explorations of the young people in the community.

Facilitators are held as role models for the youth, and their primary purpose must be to demonstrate Wild Earth’s values, to live in a sociocratic community, pursue learning, be engaged in meaningful activities, show respect for others, honour one’s own limits, and share space.  

Facilitators are expected to follow-through with and uphold community agreements, to offer support and assistance when needed, show respect and reverence for the natural world, and continuously seek knowledge and joy. Facilitators are dependable and dedicated and cultivate respectful relationships with other staff and community members. 

Because Wild Earth is new and constantly evolving, team members should be willing to grow along with us, contributing ideas and passions to help support and shape our growing community.

Key Responsibilities

• To be aware of safety at all times.  Help maintain day-to-day security and safety of the site, ensuring parents, visitors and independent contractors follow Wild Earth’s safeguarding procedures.
• To engage with young community members in a meaningful way based on individual needs
• To facilitate learning requests in appropriate ways – eg assisting, redirecting, listening, showing, brainstorming, or researching
• To facilitate learning through classes, workshops, or one on one as necessary
• To share skills and knowledge with other members of the community, youth, staff and parents.
• To assist with cooking, cleaning, gardening, maintenance, office work as necessary

General Responsibilities

• To show initiative in their own learning and development (training, courses, reading, meditating, etc).
• To offer support and assistance when needed (connecting children and young people to resources and leading or supporting offerings and activities based on interests.
• To facilitate conflict resolution utilising compassionate communication and restorative practices. 
• To meet with other facilitators regularly to check-in with, plan and support one another.

Community Partnership

• To develop and maintain professional, positive, and supportive relationships with all community members and families as well as be a committed advocate for Wild Earth at all times in a professional capacity as a community member.
• To ensure that enquiries and communication from other facilitators, families and visitors are dealt with promptly and, if necessary, directed to the appropriate individual. 



Safety 

• administer minor first aid and recording and reporting these in line with Wild Earth policies and procedures.
• maintain safety at all times (monitoring children and young people as they explore and play, remaining aware of where other facilitators are and ensuring that facilitators are spread out effectively).
• develop an understanding of, and work within, the community’s compliance and legal obligations.

Required Experience, Skills, Knowledge

• Experience working with children and young people outdoors.
• A thorough and deep understanding of what it means to be “self-directed.” (will not impose upon, coerce, manipulate, threaten or bribe young people)
• A reverence for nature and a desire to explore and share sustainability practices and ways to deepen connections to nature.
• Be capable of clear, compassionate, respectful and open communication.
• Ability to listen
• Any and all areas of genuine special interest are potentially useful, for example:

Nature, foraging, sports, history, writing, gaming, graphic design, art, pottery, music, camping, baking, languages, writing, theatre, crafts of all kinds, cooking, photography, film, botany, mathematics, sciences, building etc. etc.

Qualifications

No specific qualifications are required. As English is the primary language of communication, staff members must be proficient in the English language.

Pay:

Compensation is €17.50/hour to start

Closing Date for Applications: 

28th July 2025 at 12 noon.

How to Apply:

Apply by submitting a cover letter identifying how you are a suitable candidate, with a copy of your CV to: hello@wildearthclare.ie

Interviews can be conducted either remotely or in person.

New recruits to be Garda Vetted.

If you are interested in volunteering at Wild Earth for a shorter period of time (1 month), please reach out. We will support international volunteers in identifying and securing accommodation for their stay.