Seasonal Educator

Overview

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Position Summary

The Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington seeks experienced teachers, environmental educators, and naturalists to lead our nature day camps. The Seasonal Educator will work with 3- to 5-year-old and 6-to-12-year-old children as they explore the forests, brooks, meadows, and ponds on the Center’s 255 acres. Each week of camp focuses on a different theme and all campers get the chance to search for wildlife, make crafts, go on hikes, play games, and hone their nature awareness skills.

As we continue to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we still expect to implement practices to keep campers and staff safe, healthy, and well. Staff will be trained on practices that support camp-wide health. Additionally, Seasonal Educators will be responsible for teaching outdoors all summer, developing camp activities and curriculum, and working effectively as part of a dynamic camp team. The Seasonal Educator will be responsible for communicating and working effectively with the entire camp team, which includes: other seasonal educators, an education intern, Audubon’s year-round staff, and high-school Counselors-in-Training, who will look to the seasonal educators as mentors.

Staff will work at both our Preschool Nature Camp (PNC) and Ecology Day Camp (EDC)--your time will probably not be evenly divided-- and should feel comfortable doing so. Educators will share the role throughout the summer of coordinating the weekly and daily logistics for campers at either PNC or EDC. Audubon will challenge you to enhance your leadership, teaching, and mentoring skills while encouraging you to share the wonder of exploring the most magical places at the Green Mountain Audubon Center.

Camp runs for 8 weeks, June 20 – August 11. There are six days of paid professional development and naturalist training prior to the start of camp. This is a full-time, seasonal opportunity with an estimated 40-hour work week.

Camp Schedule
Training: Friday, June 9 and Monday, June 12, Friday, June 16, 2023
The Daily staff schedule is 8:00am – 4:30pm.
Camp clean-up and debrief Monday, August 14th.
All camp staff will have 2 unpaid vacation days on Monday, June 19th and Tuesday, July 4th.
There is one required overnight camp-out at Audubon for staff working Ecology Day Camp Thursday July 6th with campers.

This role is on-site at the Audubon Vermont, Green Mountain Audubon Center, in Huntington, VT

Compensation:

$16.00-$17.00 / hour

Essential Functions

• Attend camp training week led by professional Audubon Teacher/Naturalists.
• Each instructor will be responsible for creating and planning at least two entire weeks of camp to include games, crafts, activities, and lessons. You will work with your co-educators to develop and implement all eight weeks of nature-based camp activities and curriculum.
• Provide a fun, educational experience for children during camp.
• Help maintain the safety and wellbeing of all camp participants and coworkers outside, all day long, throughout the summer.
• Work as a cohesive team to ensure we provide the best camp experience possible.
• Speak to camp parents and guardians daily, in a professional manner.
• Assist with pre-care from 8:15-8:45
• Maintain Audubon’s facility and materials with daily cleaning and tidying at camp.
• Act as a mentor to high school counselors-in-training.
• Provide feedback to Audubon staff at mid-season and end of summer evaluations.
• Special attention is to be taken for following all State, CDC, and Audubon guidelines for COVID-19 safety. Educators must keep good communication with the Camp Director and co-teachers with possible sick campers, etc. Deep cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, materials, tables and chairs and other items used during the day will be expected at the end of each camp day. Camp will be primarily outdoors, except for thunderstorms or other potentially dangerous hazards. Counselors showing/feeling any signs of COVID-19, will be asked to remain home and not return to camp following the VT Dept of Health guidelines.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience developing and leading outdoor activities, as well as working with 3-to-12 year-old children is necessary.
• Demonstrated group management skills; ability to guide a group of up to 32 campers (with support).
• Love of outdoor exploration and questioning; ability to model curiosity and wonder about the natural world.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Child and adult First Aid and CPR certification must be up to date by the start of staff camp. Let us know if you need CPR certification or recertification.
• Must have reliable transportation to and from our Audubon Center in Huntington, VT. each day for work. We are 10 miles from the nearest bus stop.
• Must have the ability to walk all major trails of the Audubon Center and on uneven terrain.
• Be able to run, sit, stand, grasp, lift, carry, walk, push, reach, climb and pull for short and extended periods of time.
• Able to work outdoors in the heat of summer.
• Must be able to pass a background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of Vermont natural history (the scientific study of animals or plants, especially as concerned with observation rather than experiment.)
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Education, or related field. Equivalent experience in these fields will be considered in combination with some school.
• Knowledge of core routines of nature connection (e.g., sit spot, journaling, mapping, bird language, tracking, etc).
• Experience as either a camp instructor or participant or experience in the things that make camp fun and engaging: singing, storytelling, making crafts and art from natural materials, games and riddles, being able to think on your feet to keep a group of children engaged and occupied at a moment’s notice.

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

Accessibility Statement

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

COVID Policy

All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.