Faculty, Outdoor Education - Junior School

Punahou School celebrates the richness of its traditions as it embraces the responsibility to provide a relevant educational experience in a rapidly changing world. Punahou places students at the center of the curriculum, with the aim of authentic learning in a sequence and pace that is coherent and purposeful to the individual child. A Punahou education seeks to provide multiple pathways towards growth and success for each student through a broad and meaningful program of studies and through rich experiences for exploration, discovery and mastery. Working within a coherent curricular framework that promotes personalized, product-oriented, inquiry-based learning embedded in authentic, meaningful assessments, Punahou seeks to cultivate curious, confident, and self-directed students. We value the rich opportunities for teaching and learning that are inherent Hawaiian values and in the gift of “place” at Punahou. Our faculty attends to the social-emotional learning of our students via intentional opportunities to provide an environment and a range of learning experiences that educate our children for compassionate, moral, and ethical action at school, in our community, and in the world. Our teachers are agile learners themselves, demonstrating a growth mindset and a commitment to their continual professional development. Incoming teachers will join a dedicated and inspiring faculty whose ongoing reflection and renewal is supported by a schoolwide culture of collaboration and innovation.

The Punahou Outdoor Education Department was built on the importance of providing unique, age-appropriate outdoor experiences for students. For more than 50 years, the program has continued to evolve to meet the physical, emotional, and curricular needs of every student. Each component of the current program is designed to equip, empower, and encourage exploration, and rooted in the core principles of stewardship, adventure etiquette, character, connection to culture: sea, sky, and stars, and physical & emotional well-being, students are connected firmly to the land. These principles provide the opportunities for growth, give support for continued flexibility, and adapt to changing conditions while aligning with the vision of the school.

We are seeking an energetic, forward-thinking, full-time faculty to join the Outdoor Education team. Working in collaboration with the Outdoor Education leadership, this faculty member will support students and faculty in Kindergarten through 8th grade, with ancillary help provided to the Academy (grades 9-12), in addition to working as a team to build a coherent, aligned K-12 program.

Position Details:

• Work Year: 9 Months
• School Year: 2026-2027
• Work Hours: Due to the unique demands of the position, hours will vary during peak camp seasons and flexibility is critical. The ability to provide support and facilitate the overnight component of camps is essential. Normal school hours Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
• Faculty Salary Range*: $59,080 - $119,454
• Punahou School offers a comprehensive total rewards program that includes competitive pay and benefits. The pay rate, if displayed, is the minimum hourly rate for the position. Pay for selected candidates will be determined by various factors such as knowledge, skills, abilities, relevant training and experience, and internal equity

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree. Master's degree preferred.
• Three (3) years of experience in teaching, educational programming, or outdoor education with a focus on children and youth, or an equivalent combination of relevant training and experience.
• Proven expertise in leading outdoor education activities, with strong theoretical and practical knowledge of experiential learning methodologies.
  CPR, First Aid, Lifeguard certification, and wilderness first responder training encouraged but can be acquired upon hiring. Experience with risk management is also highly desirable.
• Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.
• Familiarity with SEEL competencies and their application in outdoor education is encouraged.
• Strong proficiency in technology, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email, and organizational tools to manage the logistical demands of the role.
• Demonstrated experience in outdoor recreation logistics, including trip planning, resource management, and implementing risk management plans.
• Expertise in conducting risk, hazard, and incident assessments, preferably within an educational setting.
• In-depth knowledge of health and safety education, risk prevention strategies, and emergency response planning.
• Ability to analyze trends, data, and incidents to inform future risk mitigation and program improvements.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to effectively manage individuals, classes, and both small and large groups in diverse outdoor settings.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of audiences, including students (ages 5–18), parents, faculty, operations