Camp Educator - Seasonal
About the Organization
Mission: To protect New Hampshire’s natural environment for wildlife and for people.
New Hampshire Audubon (NH Audubon) is one of the oldest conservation nonprofit organizations in New Hampshire, and one of the original independent Audubon’s in the country. At over 100 years old, NH Audubon was established before National Audubon Society and remains fully independent and entirely disconnected from that organization. As such, NH Audubon’s focus is entirely on the protection of New Hampshire’s wildlife and habitats.
About the Job
SUMMARY: Do you have a passion for wildlife and the outdoors? We provide a positive, fun working environment with plenty of opportunities to develop new leadership and teaching skills. Our Camp Educator position will provide you with the tools and training to lead nature camp programming, provide effective child management, and teach in an outdoor setting. NH Audubon believes in an inquiry-based, student-led approach to our teaching methods which is aimed at promoting curiosity of the natural world.
The Camp Educator position will support the mission of New Hampshire Audubon: to protect New Hampshire’s natural environment for wildlife and for people, by creating and sustaining a respectful, fun, and safe camp culture by facilitating positive youth development activities and games, assisting with camp coordination of daily and weekly nature-based, all-camp activities, and supervising campers during extended care programs.
TITLE: Camp Educator
LOCATION: McLane Center (Concord, NH)
COMPENSATION:
- $13.50 - 15.50/hour payrate (dependent on experience) plus paid holidays (Juneteenth & Independence Day)
- NH Audubon Annual Membership ($60 value) and access to Pro Deals
- Returning candidates will receive a “pay bump” of $0.25/hour for each year they return in this role up to $1/hour more than the advertised payrate
- $100 completion bonus (ONLY VALID IF you complete a full summer of employment dependent on your contract when hired)
Minimum age required: 16 (with reliable transportation).
*NOTE: First-time applicants younger than 18 will be hired with the responsibility expectations as a “Junior Counselor” and be paired with a more experienced Camp Educator. Their payrate will also reflect that level of responsibility and incoming experience.
HOURS: 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm, 30-minute unpaid lunch, seasonal full-time, non-exempt (hourly paid). Hours may vary depending on camp needs.
SCHEDULE: June 9th – August 29th, 2025 (up to 12 weeks total)
Camp Staff Training (2 weeks): June 9th – 20th
Day Camp (9 weeks): June 23rd - August 22nd
Mid-season training day: July 31st (no campers)
Wrap-up and debrief (1 week): August 25th - 29th
Expected days off: weekends, Juneteenth (June 19th, 2025), Independence Day (July 4th, 2025), August 1st, 2025 (NOT a paid holiday 3-day weekend following Session 6)
FUNCTION: This position will entail coordinating daily games and activities for campers in environmental education topics, facilitating daily nature-based activities, and supervision of campers, ranging in age from 5-15, during entirety of the camp day.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Attends all training sessions prior to the camp season.
- Oversees and maintains responsibility for camper safety, well-being, and fun.
- Develops and implements daily environmental activities for 5-6, 7-9, or 10-12-year-old campers.
- Prepares lesson plans and/or thematic outdoor activities to share during camp training. Uses provided lesson plans to teach environmental topics.
- Assists with and facilitates live ambassador animal presentations (training provided).
- Provides first aid to campers as needed.
- Communicates effectively and respectfully to campers and parents.
- Communicates clearly and effectively to other staff verbally and in writing about camper behavior, safety, and other camp activity feedback. This includes properly completing incident and behavioral forms ASAP when camper incidents occur.
- Maintains program supplies in good condition. Performs facility and supply cleaning duties as assigned.
- Will participate in weekly staff meetings (Friday afternoons) and annual camp evaluation and cleanup at the end of the session (dependent on contract).
- Ensures compliance with NH’s COVID safety guidelines for summer camps.
- Creates and sustains a respectful camp culture with a zero tolerance for bullying.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
LEADERSHIP: Reports to the Camp Administrator. Assistant Camp Director becomes acting supervisor when Camp Administrator is offsite.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Outdoor camp setting; excellent non-smoking environment.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Basic understanding of biology, wildlife, and life sciences required (some college courses preferred). Training regarding effective outdoor education teaching methods and site-specific opportunities for ecological learning will be provided.
Experience: Eagerness and excitement to share basic facts about biology/ecology in fun, interactive ways is required. Ability to make both independent and collaborative decisions required. Must have or be willing to obtain an online American Red Cross or American Heart Association Basic First Aid certification or equivalent. If you do not already have this certification when hired, NH Audubon will reimburse or pay you for the online versions of these training courses. Experience teaching or providing care to children, preferably in a camp setting, and demonstrated ability to implement and lead creative activities preferred.
Skills, Traits and Characteristics Necessary for Success: Requires exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Creativity, flexibility, and enthusiasm, with a sincere interest in the natural environment or education is necessary. Applicants older than 18 must be able to pass a criminal background check. Applicants younger than 18 require two letters of recommendation from non-relative individuals, which the hiring committee will ask for if selected after interviewing. Must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 and can provide COVID vaccination card at orientation.
Physical Demands: To perform the essential functions of the position, the following applies: excellent physical condition with capability to moderately hike, run and climb, tolerance for variable weather conditions, ability to work in an outdoor setting and able to lift up to 25 lbs. Camp uniform required (will be provided).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
NH Audubon is a welcoming inclusive organization committed to ensuring people of all backgrounds and abilities are welcome and respected. NH Audubon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, age, sexual orientation or Vietnam Era/Disabled Veteran status, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, NH Audubon complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location where NH Audubon has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
See more at: https://www.nhaudubon.org/about-us/job-opportunities/
To Apply: Please email a cover letter describing your interest in teaching youth outdoors and your skills related to the job duties as well as a resume outlining your education, experience, and skills to jobs@nhaudubon.org. Please include the Position Title “Camp Educator” in the subject line and preferred camp location (“Concord” or “Auburn”) in the subject heading. Please include the age range(s) you would prefer to work with (“5-6”, “7-9”, and/or “10-12”) in the email's body.
Hiring Timeline:
- Job posted: November 2024
- Application Deadlines: Early applications are due January 25th, 2025, at 11:59 pm. Another round of applications will be accepted until March 29th, 2025, at 11:59 pm to fill remaining job openings.
- Interviews: Two rounds of remote Zoom interviews will be held promptly after each application deadline.
- Paid opportunities to start teambuilding (in-person and/or virtual) prior to the summer starts – the earlier you become an employee, the more opportunities available:
- Staff Reunion Event (date TBD – winter 2024/2025)
- Camp Open House and Reunion (dates TBD – March and May 2025)
- Start Date: June 9th, 2025
- End Date: Contract Option #1: August 15th, 2025; Contract Option #2: August 25th - 29th, 2025 (flexible final day during wrap-up week)
See more at: https://www.nhaudubon.org/about-us/job-opportunities/