Join Our Team – Fire Mountain School

Join Our Team

Fire Mountain School is a nonprofit nature-connected independent school founded in 1983, serving children ages 4 to 11 on the North Oregon Coast. We are building our team for 2026–27 and looking for people who bring warmth, expertise, and a deep love of children and community.

Executive Director

Full-Time  ·  Year-Round  ·  Arch Cape, OR

The Executive Director serves as the chief operational leader of Fire Mountain School, reporting to the Board of Directors. This is a hands-on, community-facing leadership role that requires equal comfort sitting on the floor with a four-year-old, facilitating a board meeting, and writing a grant application.

The ED is the connective tissue of our school and the primary keeper of our culture, history, and mission. The role bridges board governance, teaching staff, enrolled families, and the broader community of the North Coast.

Key Responsibilities
Community Engagement and Children
Serve as a warm, visible, and trusted presence in the life of the school community
Interact meaningfully with enrolled children and maintain a safe, joyful, developmentally appropriate environment
Welcome prospective families with school tours, one-on-one orientations, and enrollment conversations
Organize and host open houses, family gatherings, May Day celebrations, and community work parties
Build and sustain relationships with community partners
Maintain connections with the Council of Elders and pass down school history and traditions
Administrative Operations
Ensure compliance with Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care , including inspections, staff training, and licensing renewal
Manage enrollment: applications, school visits, parent interviews, board approvals, contracts, and family onboarding
Coordinate field trips, beach days, hikes, and outdoor programming with safety compliance
Manage school calendar, newsletters, announcements, and all family and staff communications
Maintain office operations: supplies, utilities, insurance, pest control, building and grounds awareness
Human Resources and Staff Support
Provide direct supervision and support to teaching staff, assistants, and organizational contractors
Manage incident reporting, behavioral support protocols, and conflict resolution
Coordinate HR functions with payroll administration
Oversee teacher and board handbook development, staff reviews, and professional development tracking
Support onboarding of new staff and board members
Financial Management and Governance
Work with the board, bookkeeper, and treasurer to ensure strong financial management and budget oversight
Lead fundraising campaigns including the annual Holiday Greens Sale and seasonal appeal letters
Seek out and apply for grants with support from parent volunteers
Support board meeting preparation, agenda compilation, and governance documentation
Summer Camp and After-School Programs
Hire, train, and support summer camp counselors and after-school instructors
Plan and ensure quality programming rooted in FMS values and the natural environment
Manage enrollment, waitlists, waivers, and family communications for all extended programs
Qualifications
Required
Genuine love of children and comfort in a school environment with ages 4 to 11
Demonstrated experience in nonprofit or organizational leadership and administration
Strong written and verbal communication skills across diverse audiences
Experience with financial management, budgeting, and compliance in a regulated environment
Proficiency with Google Workspace, social media, and general office technology
Deep commitment to equity and inclusion
Ability to meet Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care Director qualifications or willingness to obtain required certification
Preferred
Background in early childhood education, progressive pedagogy, or nature-based learning
Experience with HR functions, payroll platforms, and staff supervision
Familiarity with grant writing and major donor relationships
Connection to or deep appreciation for rural, coastal Oregon community life
Knowledge of Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, Te Whariki, or place and project-based learning
Position Details
Location
Arch Cape, Oregon — on-site presence required
Schedule
Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:00pm
Compensation
Starting at $45,000, commensurate with experience
Paid Leave
3 weeks vacation + 10 days PTO + standard holidays
Reports To
Board of Directors
Status
Full-time, exempt

Apply for Executive Director

Send a cover letter, resume, and two letters of reccomendation to
[email protected]

Subject line: Executive Director Application

We welcome applicants who bring warmth, creativity, organizational strength, and a deep love of children and community.

Lead Teacher

Full-Time  ·  Academic Year  ·  Arch Cape, OR

The Lead Teacher works in close partnership with the Executive Director and fellow teaching staff to ensure that Fire Mountain School's mission — to provide whole-child learning opportunities within an engaged community of students, teachers, and families — is lived out every day in the classroom and across the school community.

The Lead Teacher brings daily instructional leadership to our entire cohort of 4 to 11 year olds, serving as a full-time colleague to our experienced teaching team. They are responsible for creating a joyful, structured, and responsive learning environment rooted in Fire Mountain's values of stewardship, community, creativity, and kindness.

The ideal Lead Teacher is warm, reflective, and deeply committed to child-centered education — skilled at building relationships with students, families, and colleagues alike, and bringing both professional depth and genuine love for the work of teaching.

Responsibilities
Provide daily instructional leadership for all enrolled students with a primary focus on grade levels K–5
Co-plan, implement, and document curriculum in alignment with the FMS Curriculum Framework, submitting plans for annual board approval
Offer daily oversight and supportive guidance to classroom volunteers and students
Maintain consistent, warm communication with the Executive Director regarding student needs, staffing, and classroom dynamics
Participate in weekly Thursday morning teacher planning and professional development sessions
Partner with the Executive Director to counsel students and support families when conflicts or incidents arise
Contribute to school community events, family engagement, and the broader culture of stewardship and connection that defines Fire Mountain
Keep a substitute folder with at least two days of emergency lesson plans, a class schedule, and daily routines, updated and clearly marked
Serve as Sub-Director in compliance with Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care requirements when the Executive Director is not on site
Complete a minimum of 15 clock hours of professional development annually, maintaining an active Oregon Registry Online (ORO) account
Help shape and uphold the vision, mission, and values of Fire Mountain School
Requirements and Skills
A formally trained teacher with a degree in education, early childhood education, or a closely related field
Demonstrated experience working with elementary-age children in a classroom setting
Strong grounding in child development and whole-child educational approaches
Enthusiasm for nature-based, place-based, and project-based learning
A collaborative, communicative team member who leads with consistency and care
Organized and reflective, with a commitment to ongoing professional growth
Familiarity with Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care licensed child care center practices, or willingness to learn
Eligible to serve as Sub-Director under Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care requirements, or willing to complete required training upon hire
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with children, families, and colleagues
Good judgment, problem-solving ability, and a calm, grounded presence
Position Details
Location
Arch Cape, Oregon — on-site presence required
Schedule
Monday–Friday, 8:30am–3:30pm
Compensation
Starting at $40,000, commensurate with experience
Paid Leave
6 paid leave days + 4 flex workdays per year, plus school breaks and federal holidays
Reports To
Executive Director, Fire Mountain School
Status
Full-time, exempt

Apply for Lead Teacher

Send a cover letter, resume, and two letters of reccomendation to
[email protected]

Subject line: Lead Teacher Job Application

Fire Mountain School is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.
Fire Mountain School  ·  6505 Elk Flat Road, Arch Cape, OR 97102  ·  [email protected]