Walking Mountains Summer Educator

Organizational Overview:

Founded in 1998, Walking Mountains Science Center’s mission is to awaken a sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship and sustainability through natural science education. As an employee of our organization, you are a member of an inclusive and dynamic team that values community, professionalism, collaboration, diversity, equity, a positive work environment, and a passion for the mission of Walking Mountains and the impact it’s making in the community. 

Position Overview:

This summer seasonal position at Walking Mountains Science Center is responsible for serving the organization with a personal commitment to awakening a sense of wonder and inspiring environmental stewardship through natural science education. Summer educators coordinate, support, and teach our week-long day camps, overnight hut trips, and two-day Earth Explorers camps. Summer educators complete two weeks of summer staff training prior to the start of camp (May 28th-June 7th).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Field Instruction:

• Work collaboratively with other Walking Mountains staff. 
• Co-lead outdoor experiences throughout the summer for campers entering K-10th grade in variable weather conditions. 
• Be comfortable working with youth of all ages. The majority of our summer camps are for campers entering K-4th grade.
• Plan and prepare daily summer camp activities from an existing camp curriculum.
• Co-lead one or more overnight hut trips, and provide overnight supervision to campers. 
• Co-manage a group of up to 13 campers at a variety of field sites, in camp vehicles, and on Walking Mountain’s campus.
• Create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all campers.

Program Coordination:

• Help with camp pick up and drop off during assigned office weeks.
• Drive hut trip food and gear to 10th Mountain Division Huts to assist camps during office weeks.
• Call camper parents/guardians prior to camp.
• Assist Summer Programs Manager with program logistics and coordination as needed. 
• Provide feedback to the Summer Programs Manager through weekly camp debrief forms.
• Take program photos to be used for website updates and end of camp emails.
• Participate in regular summer camp team meetings. 

Operations & Risk Management:

• Assist with upkeep and maintenance of vehicles and program resources including first aid supplies, teaching supplies/equipment, field gear, specimens, and books. 
• Maintain a clean shared workspace and fulfill facility cleaning and upkeep responsibilities. 
• Safely transport campers in 15-passenger vans. 
• Maintain required medical certifications. 
• Evaluate environmental conditions and make safety decisions for yourself and your camp group based on Walking Mountains’ emergency protocol and current wilderness emergency medical procedures. 
• Perform all other duties as assigned. 

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, activities, and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Requirements:

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Must have a valid driver’s license. 
• Current First Aid and CPR certifications; Wilderness First Responder or First Aid preferred. 
• Enthusiasm for educating youth the natural environment while expanding personal knowledge of Rocky Mountain ecology. 
• Ability to hike up to 3 miles and work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Positive, self-motivated, organized, and creative individual who can work independently and as part of a team. 
• Walking Mountains Science Center hires friendly, professional people who have a desire to learn and grow.

Preferred:

• Experience with formal or informal education of youth in a school or camp setting. 
• At least 3 years working towards a BA/BS in science, education, recreation, or an environmental science-related field.
• Conversational or fluent in Spanish.

Work Environment:

This position includes both office and field work, with the primary duties requiring summer educators to be outdoors teaching a group of up to 13 youth in variable weather conditions.

Position Duration: May 28th-August 12th, 2024

Start date is mandatory for training. Preference in hiring will be given to people who are available for the entire duration of the summer or fall term.