Meet the EcoElsa staff providing environmental education to you and your family! As well as check out current openings below!
Elsa Litecky, Owner
Elsa started EcoElsa back in 2018 as a blog and YouTube channel. Prior to starting EcoElsa she worked in naturalist and outreach roles for the MNDNR, Dakota County, environmental nonprofits, and nature centers. She is passionate about the outdoors and loves learning new things. Her favorite areas of interest for natural resources are how people engage with nature; and include topics like ethnobotany & foraging, enthoastronomy, biomimicry, and outdoor survival. Outside of her work she enjoys a lot of other creative outlets like making art, reading and writing books, and cooking. To learn more about her different certifications and environmental education experience check out our Meet the Founder Page.
Katie Traub, Naturalist Educator
Katie has always loved the outdoors and became interested in environmental education after working in various community engagement roles with local governments and environmental nonprofits. She earned her master’s degree in Natural Science and Environmental Education from Hamline University and enjoys connecting people with the natural world by creating accessible and empowering outdoor opportunities for all. Her hobbies include visiting state parks, searching for cool rocks, knitting, playing soccer, kayaking, and going on walks with her dog.
Andrew Harrison, Program Support
Andrew brings years of summer youth programing experience and a formal background in education as a middle school Social Studies teacher. His role is as a “jack of all trades”, supporting our programs in various roles. Growing up participating in Boy Scouts, he gained an appreciation for the outdoors and a wide range of skills – from outdoor survival and knots, to wilderness first aid and orientation. He loves rock climbing (he is also a certified coach through USA Climbing), mountain biking, and camping.
Current Openings
Job Title: Naturalist Educator
Job Type: Full-Time & Part-Time; Seasonal
Duration:
Start Date: Monday, May 11th, 2026
Initial Term End Date – September 4th, 2026
*Looking to potentially extend the position part-time into Fall of 2026. The position may also bump up to full-time hours summer of 2026 depending on scheduling and availability!
Hours:
Summer: Classes vary we run classes Monday-Saturday so depends on availability
Part-Time 10-30 hrs/wk; hours may vary based on class needs & availability
– Typical Summer Hours are as follows
Monday-Thursday: Summer Camp Availability 7:00 am to 5:00 pm; occasional evening classes that end by 8 pm
Saturday & Friday: occasional half day class usually in the morning
Full-Time Up to 40 hrs/wk; guaranteed minimum of 20 hours; based on class needs & availability, hours and work week may vary
– Typical Summer Hours are as follows
Monday-Thursday: Summer Camp Availability 7:00 am to 5:00 pm; occasional evening classes that end by 8 pm
Saturday & Friday: occasional half day class usually in the morning
Position Overview: Naturalist Educators are responsible for facilitating environmental education experiences at local parks, community education locations, childcare centers, libraries, schools, and homeschool groups around the metro area. Classes seek to help participants develop a connection to nature and their local parks through fun activities that also help teach other subjects and skills.
Classes 80-90%
- Lead summer programs from lesson plans curating activities that help participants learn the topic while having fun; Freedom to pick from previously created activities and some time available to develop new ones
- Effectively manage participants and follow safety guidelines to provide a safe and fun environment for participants physically, mentally, and emotionally
- Drive to sites to prepare, set up, and tear down class activities
- Capture photos and videos during programs to send to guardians
- Navigate unexpected situations professionally while prioritizing safety
- Coordinate with partner organizations to make sure programs run smoothly
- Interact with participants, guardians, other staff, partner organizations, and the public in a safe and professional manner
- Maintain sites and class materials to keep workspaces clean and safe
Education Team Member 10-20%
- Participate in team meetings and regular check-ins with Supervisor
- Communicate with class participants through reminder and follow up emails
- Assist with planning and preparing class materials for upcoming classes; cleaning and organizing materials from previous classes
- Conduct and follow training activities to help team members grow and learn more
- Develop new class activities and materials for current and future programs
- Conduct regular reflections/evaluations of programs and experiences to improve for the future
Additional Duties:
- Create marketing and social media posts; promoting upcoming classes and EcoElsa LLC
- Assist with the creation of newsletters, blog posts, and videos
- Assist with marketing and sales of programs and services to partner organizations
- Market EcoElsa Classes at tabling events and other outreach opportunities
- Complete other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- BA or BS in science or education and 1 year of education experience; or 4-5 years related environmental and educational experience
- CPR & First Aid Certification up to date; or be willing to obtain it by the start date
- Valid Driver’s License and reliable vehicle; position travels between different sites and organizations around the metro
- High level of self-motivation & enthusiasm
- Knowledge of a variety of environmental topics
- Experience foraging for plants and mushrooms or a strong interest in learning how to do so; we are looking for a second staff member to help back up foraging classes
- Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication and time management skills
- Able to lift and carry 50 pounds and hike on uneven rugged terrain often off main trails in all kinds of weather
- Successfully passing a background check is a requirement for this position
Preferred Qualifications:
- Work experience with Nature Centers, homeschool groups, summer camps, field research, preschool/childcare centers, schools, and other related groups
- Experience working with PreK-12 youth and adults for programs
- Knowledge of outdoor survival, wildlife biology, ichthyology, entomology, botany, ethnobotany & foraging, biomimicry, physical sciences, and or art and a passion for sharing that knowledge with others
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects
- Previous experience creating curriculum is a plus, but not required
- Solutions focused looking for ways to improve programs and stream-line processes
- Shared interest in growing the position into a permanent full-time year-round position
Benefits:
- Starting Salary $17.50/hour
- Sick Time & Paid Time Off
- Mileage Reimbursement
- Gift card to an outfitter company for completing position to the designated term end date
- 3 EcoElsa T-shirts: 1 Staff shirt that will need to be returned at the end of position and 2 other EcoElsa nature/naturalist themed shirts from the Etsy Shop to keep
For more information check out www.ecoelsa.com
2026 Naturalist Educator Questionaire
Application Deadline: We will be accepting applications until the position is filled send Resume, Cover Letter, and completed Questionnaire to ecoelsallc@gmail.com with “Naturalist Educator Application – Your Name” written in the subject line.