Seasonal Educator/Lead Summer Camp Counselor

The Sharon Audubon Center is located in the small rural town of Sharon, located in the Northwest corner of Connecticut. It is home to approximately 1200 acres of land with several miles of hiking trails through various forest, field, and wetland habitats. Aside from trails, visitors can explore the Nature Center and outdoor bird aviaries, both featuring live education animal ambassadors such as snakes, turtles, and various species of birds of prey, corvids, waterfowl, and more. A variety of school and public programs are offered throughout the year, as well as a popular summer camp in the summer months. Summer Camp sessions are weeklong day camps for children ranging in age from PreK up through high school. These camp sessions are held outdoors and focus on teaching about bird conservation through discovery hikes, pond explorations, live animal programs, nature crafts and games, and more. 

The Lead Summer Camp Counselor will be needed approximately 17 weeks over the course of the spring and summer Monday through Friday, for 7-8 hours per day. For the first 7 weeks, counselors may work a Tuesday-Saturday, 9-5 schedule. Salary is $21-$22 per hour, based on experience, plus housing if needed. 

Essential Functions

Spring: 

• Assisting with and teaching various education programs both on-site and as outreach for groups such as school students, scouts, general public, etc., while following all Audubon, OEC, and CDC guidelines, as described below.
• Assisting with greeting visitors, helping with purchases in the Nature Store, and other aspects of running a nature center.
• Working on writing summer camp curriculum, preparing materials needed for lessons, creating craft templates, and general preparation for the summer camp season.
• Assist with the training of remaining seasonal camp staff once onboarded, and familiarizing them with summer camp procedures, curriculum, and protocols. 

Summer:

• Acting as assistant Camp Director and overseeing regular day to day camp programs, resolving any minor daily issues and running camp debriefs with camp staff.
• Setting up and cleaning up each day’s camp activities, planning and executing each weeklong camp session for their individual small group of campers, including teaching discovery hikes, pond explorations, live animal programs, nature crafts and games, and making sure other camp staff are prepared for each day as well.
• Maintain the safety of all campers during their time at Audubon Camp.
• Maintain positive working relationships with summer campers and their parents and/or guardians, as well as SAC full time and seasonal staff, and volunteers.
• Helping with other aspects of a nature center, such as contacting camp parents by phone or email, photocopying, or more.
• Use of basic office equipment may be used such as a photocopier, telephones, digital camera and simple outdoor recreational equipment, such as pond nets, compasses, etc.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Completion of at least two years of college coursework in environmental or life sciences is preferred.
• Must be at least 21 years or older.
• Some teaching experience and/or curriculum development is necessary, and environmental education experience preferred. Summer camp leadership experience also preferred.
• Must be confident in leading a group and initiating activities, and be aware of SAC safety procedures and the ability to enforce those safety precautions.
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
• Comfortable and confident in overseeing seasonal camp staff and resolving minor issues that may arise among seasonal staff or campers/parents.
• Must have strong work ethic, natural history background, self-motivation, on-going enthusiasm, attention to detail, commitment, flexibility, ability to work with sound judgment under pressure in changing situations, a desire to learn, excellent time management, and the ability to work well with others and with children.
• Counselors must show respect for others of all ages, race, gender, etc., as well as respect for nature and the outdoors.
• Willingness to work in unfavorable weather conditions and able to carry out simple assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to the Audubon Center.
• Must have the ability to traverse all major trails of the Sharon Audubon Center and on uneven terrain, and able to carry out required activities such as remaining stationary and occasional lifting for varying lengths of time with or without reasonable accommodations.

Deadline March 15th or until filled