CURRENT JOB OPENINGS
About Blue Heron Nature Preserve:
Blue Heron Nature Preserve is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and caring for a 30-acre green space nestled in Atlanta’s North Buckhead neighborhood. Blue Heron is home to the 3-mile Blueway Trail, our largest capital project to date, which allows visitors to experience woodlands, wetlands, riparian areas and meadows – all without leaving the city. Our mission is to help foster personal connections with nature through conservation, education, and the arts.
Executive Director
Blue Heron Nature Preserve is seeking a visionary Executive Director to guide our next chapter of growth and community impact. For 25 years, we have built a strong foundation as a City of Atlanta park, rooted in conservation, environmental education, and the arts.
The Executive Director will lead the organization through an exciting period of transition, with opportunities to:
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Champion the development of a new nature center to better serve our community.
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Expand trail connections linking Blue Heron to the greater Atlanta trail network.
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Advance science-based conservation practices across our 30-acre urban oasis.
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Grow children’s environmental education programs and expand adult learning opportunities.
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Uphold and enrich our tradition of nature-inspired art.
A full job description is available for download here.
We are looking for a proven leader with experience running organizations, inspiring staff and volunteers, and mobilizing community and donor support. If you’re seeking the challenge of making a lasting difference for people and nature conservation in Atlanta, we invite you to apply on Work for Good→
2026 Summer Camp Counselor
$16 – $18 an hour – Contract
ABOUT CAMP:
Our 2026 Summer Camp will run from June 1- July 24 with 7 weeks in total, not including mandatory training on May 26- 29 and the 31st. No camp June 29th- July 3rd.
Summer camp runs every day from 8:30am – 4:30pm. Counselor shifts are either from 8:00am – 4:00pm or 8:30am – 4:30pm.
Each week of camp focuses on a different theme. These themes include art in nature, wildlife investigation, survival, as well as two creek weeks. These themes, as well as accompanying activities and crafts will be reviewed during training week.
Our camp hosts two separate age groups. Our Great Blue Heron group consists of children ages 7- 12. Our Little Blue Heron group consists of children ages 4-6. Both groups have a maximum capacity of 20- 40 children per week. This gives us ample opportunity to break off into smaller groups to explore! We operate camp in rain or shine, so we have the ability to play outside in the rain as long as there is no thunder or lightning.
Our counselors are responsible for creating a safe and fun environment for our campers to play/explore/discover in! We have 3 miles of trails throughout the preserve, a creek to splash in and an indoor classroom space to create, as well as learn new things! We only ask that counselors bring their creativity, ingenuity and problem-solving skills.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants should have the following qualifications:
- A passion for nature, the arts and teaching/playing with campers!
- Experience working with children in a formal or non-formal setting.
- A desire to start a career in education or to work with children.
- The ability to be playful and spontaneous; creating games or crafts on the fly!
- The ability to effectively manage and lead a group of children.
- The ability to be outside for long periods of time in different kinds of weather.
- Knowledge of classroom and behavioral management practices.
- Preference will be given to former teachers or counselors, as well as college graduates or students in college pursuing degrees in Education, Ecology, Biology, Art or a related field.
- The pay rate is $16- $18/hr. dependent on education and experience. Wages are received on a bi-weekly basis either through direct deposit or mail.
- Candidates should live within commuting distance from the nature preserve. Please use Google Maps/Waze to check if the commute is manageable before applying.
CPR/ First Aid Certification is required and will be provided if needed. Candidates must be able to show proof of CPR certification upon completion.
All candidates must pass a DECAL background check prior to employment.
Please submit a brief cover letter and your resume to Jen Barich at Jenb@BHNP.org
Interviews will be scheduled for qualified applicants at the convenience of Blue Heron and the applicant.
Environmental Educator
$16 – $18 an hour – Contract
WHO WE ARE:
Our mission is to create a personal experience in nature through education, conservation and the arts. Our educational programs include school field trips for PK- high school, after school programs for K-5 in Atlanta schools, break camps, Girl and Boy Scout programs, birthday parties, and weekend public programs. Up to 15 hours per week, depending on program demand and educator availability.
Blue Heron Nature Preserve is rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy of learning. Principles of Reggio Emilia include the following:
- The child is capable of constructing their own learning.
- Community is important and children learn by collaborating with their communities.
- Humans are natural communicators and children should be encouraged to express themselves.
- The environment is the third teacher and must be enriching and supportive.
- Teachers are partners, nurturers and guides to children and help them explore their interests through projects.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Blue Heron Environmental Educators plan and teach nature based programs for students in grades K- high school. The primary purpose of our programs is to give students a chance to explore and learn about science, nature, and the urban environment in a fun and engaging manner. We are guided and inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, and use an emergent curriculum. Educators will lead groups of 5-20 children in activities at the Preserve or at local schools. Educators are responsible for planning and running activities, coordinating with other staff, behavior management, daily prep and clean-up, as well as any other tasks necessary to run a fun, safe youth program. Training is provided, however staff should have experience in developing and leading activities.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS:
Blue Heron Nature Preserve is seeking contract educators to join our team!
- Candidates must have prior experience working with children.
- Candidates should have teaching experience or desire to teach children of all ages.
- Two or more years of environmental education experience is preferred, but not required.
- Candidates should have an interest in teaching programs on wildlife and ecology, environmental stewardship, gardening and art in nature.
- A desire to start a career in education or to work with children.
- The ability to be playful and spontaneous; creating games or crafts on the fly!
- The ability to effectively manage and lead a group of children.
- The ability to be outside for long periods of time in different kinds of weather.
- Knowledge of classroom and behavioral management practices.
- Preference will be given to former teachers or counselors, as well as college graduates or students in college pursuing degrees in Education, Ecology, Biology, Art or a related field.
- CPR and First Aid Certification (or the ability to get certified in the first 30 days) is required
- All candidates must pass a DECAL background check prior to employment.
SCHEDULE:
Blue Heron schedules field trips and off-site school programs weekdays on an as-demand basis.
Our Afterschool programming typically runs on weekday afternoons from 2-4 p.m. Weekend scout programming is scheduled based on educator availability.
School Break camps run during Atlanta Public School holidays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Birthday parties are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays based on educator availability.
Educators are expected to arrive 30 minutes prior to scheduled on-site programs and remain 30 minutes after a program’s conclusion. Educators must allow sufficient time to gather supplies and teaching materials for on-time arrival to off-site school programs.
All programs include additional hours for staff meetings and training as scheduled.
Hours per week: Between 5-20 hours per week depending on availability.
Please submit a brief cover letter and resume to Jen Barich at Jenb@bhnp.org
Interviews will be scheduled for qualified applicants at the convenience of Blue Heron and the applicant.
Hiring is ongoing until the position is filled.
All candidates should explore our website to familiarize themselves with the organization prior to applying.