Nature Educator

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Directors of Camp & Nature Programs, Nature Educators will lead activities in a variety of areas including environmental education, high adventure and teambuilding, outdoor recreation, and cultural/historical education. Additionally, they will communicate with school leaders and members of the public, perform basic cleaning and organization tasks, and assist in any projects or tasks that support the goals of the Program Department. 

Dates of Employment:

This is a part-time position with varying hours available. The number of hours scheduled will vary, and will include some weekends and evenings. Positions are available for the Spring (early March - early June), Summer (early June - mid August), and Fall (early September - early November).

Essential Functions:

1.Facilitate a variety of programming to school groups, scouts, and other visiting groups, including:

• Environmental education such as pond studies, edible plant identification, and nature hikes.
• Cultural and historical education through our Heifer International Global Village.
• Adventure education such as high ropes, climbing tower, zipline, and teambuilding programs.
• Outdoor recreation such as canoeing, archery, and orienteering.
• Evening programming such as campfires, skit nights, and night hikes.

2.Maintain a culture of safety by predicting, preventing, identifying, and responding to safety concerns appropriately.

• Understand and follow policies regarding program setup and proper storage of program supplies including appropriate documentation.
• Ensure campers and other staff follow safety procedures at all times.
• Follow appropriate procedures during facilitation.

3.Promote a positive, cooperative, and flexible atmosphere while working with others in a diverse environment.

• Provide high levels of customer service when interacting with members of the public including teachers, chaperones, students, and other guests.
• Maintain a professional tone, personal appearance, and behavior at all times.
• Communicate effectively with other staff members regarding set up, schedule changes, and any other needs

Other Job Duties:

• Assist in other departments as assigned including housekeeping, kitchen, maintenance, and camp.
• Assist in any other projects as assigned that support the goals and mission of the programs department.

Our Values and Goals:

Our mission is to teach people to be faithful caretakers of one another and the world around us. We specialize in facilitating exploratory learning in the outdoors, engaging people of all ages in the wonder of the Howell Nature Center, and supplementing traditional classroom education through hands-on learning experiences. Our programming is designed to reinforce these goals through our eight core values.

1. NATURE – Building a lasting connection with the natural world.

2. GROWTH – Learning new skills, growing personally and achieving full potential.

3. KINDNESS – Fostering simple acts of kindness resulting in a ripple effect.

4. RESPECT – Teaching children to value themselves and others.

5. FRIENDSHIP – Increasing a sense of belonging, confidence and self-worth.

6. TEAMWORK– Strengthening communication, collaboration and social skills.

7. STEWARDSHIP – Empowering kids to make the world greener and healthier.

8. LEADERSHIP – Emboldening kids to become better leaders and make a difference.

Job Specifications and Physical Requirements:

The requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to

successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications:

• At least 18 years of age.
• Minimum of 1 year of relevant teaching experience with diverse audiences (informal, outdoor experience) OR 1 year of college education in biology, ecology, education, or a related field.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to effectively verbally present information and respond to questions from school groups, teachers, and the general public.
• Desire and ability to work with children outdoors in varied conditions.
• Ability to observe participant behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate group management techniques.

Physical Aspects of the Position:

• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency and possess the strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of participants.
• Ability to frequently move up to 10 pounds and occasionally move up to 40 pounds, walk several miles on uneven trails, and stand for several hours.
• Must be able to be in outside weather conditions for extended periods including rain, snow, and heat.

Compensation:

• starting at $14 an hour commensurate with experience and education