Program Educator and Summer Camp Coordinator

Blandford Nature Center•Grand Rapids, MI

4d•$0 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

This year-round position combines teaching academic education programs to school groups on weekdays from September to May, and facilitating community education programs for adults and families. Occasional weeknights and Saturdays are required. From May to August, the role transitions to Summer Camp Coordinator, supporting Summer Camp Educators and campers by ensuring their happiness, health, and safety. The Programs Team at Blandford Nature Center offers diverse programming, including field trips for preschool and elementary students, and year-round community programs focused on arts and crafts, nature and STEM, bilingual content, and Michigan history. Program Educators contribute to all program content, potentially specializing based on their skills.

Requirements

Coursework and/or experience in the fields of outdoor recreation, youth development, education, environmental or natural sciences or other related disciplines.
Previous experience working with children and adults in a non-formal education environment.
Experience working with/leading school age children (Pre-K through 12th) in an outdoor/ camp setting.
Ability to communicate factual, scientific information simply and enthusiastically to a broad audience.
Demonstrated ability to implement standard outdoor risk group management techniques.
Comfort with and ability to work effectively outdoors, in all types of weather, for extended time periods.
Ability to monitor and model safe work habits to all staff, volunteers, and campers.
Ability to communicate calmly, clearly, and concisely with all staff, volunteers, and campers.
Ability to be certified in Adult and Child CPR/First Aid (provided by Blandford Nature Center during mandatory training).
Successfully pass required background checks.
Must maintain a valid driver’s license and clean driving record and be willing to operate a Blandford vehicle.
Basic knowledge of Google Workspace or similar software.
Ability to move teaching materials, bins and equipment up to 30 lbs, overhead, on/off shelves and in/out of wagons.
Ability to pull a wagon weighing up to 50 pounds over uneven terrain.
While performing the duties of this job, the staff member is regularly required to hike, bend stand and twist for 60 minutes or more.
Ability to work outdoors in a variety of conditions; including extreme temperatures and maneuver over wet, brushy, muddy, steep trail surfaces and uneven terrain.
Display positive, compassionate and energetic attitude and behavior for all staff, volunteers, and campers.
Convey passion and enthusiasm while sharing about nature and the outdoor environment.
Flexibility in leading a broad variety of nature programming to all audiences of all ages.
Willingness to remain flexible during day to day tasks and responsibilities, and with needs of camp groups and individual campers.
Demonstrate initiative and problem solving within the programming department.
Demonstrate sound judgement in decision making.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in youth development, outdoor recreation, parks and recreation management, or education.
Bilingual (Spanish and English) conversational and written communication skills are a strong plus.

Responsibilities

Lead outdoor environmental education programs for school and youth groups at Blandford Nature Center year round.
Lead in the delivery of community education programs for children, adults and families.
Maintain high standards of safety and well-being of program participants.
Assist in the development of environmental education curriculum and materials, including lesson plans and learning aids.
Assist in documentation and evaluation of all programs, including participant demographics, satisfaction and program effectiveness.
Assist in the maintenance and storage of program equipment, supplies and facilities.
Assist with organization-wide special events and community programs as a member of the Programs Team.
Maintain a high level of professionalism and safety when working directly with animal ambassadors.
Assist with other program duties as assigned.
Provide interpretation at festivals, community events, and other specialty programming as needed.
Assist in the development of community programs and materials, including lesson plans and festival planning.
Assist in establishing a camp community that fosters responsibility, team building, and social development for staff, volunteers, and campers.
Stand in for absent Camp Educators whenever necessary.
Stand in for group support in absence of Camp Aides.
Provide on-the-ground support to all camp educators in maintaining a high quality camp experience.
Lead a weekly Camp Warm-Up program that operates Monday-Friday from 7:45-8:45am.
Maintain high standards of safety and well-being of program participants and camp aides.
Provide excellent customer service to camp families, reporting camp inquiries and concerns to Camp Manager and Administrator.
Assist in communicating any behavioral interventions involving campers to parents after consulting with the administrative team.
Organizes weekly camp supply needs and maintains camp resource inventory.
Assist in the maintenance and storage of camp equipment, supplies and facilities.
Assist in weekly tie dye activities and maintaining tie dye supplies throughout the summer.
Provides administrative assistance for off-site activities including ability to transport campers and camp aides in a 15 passenger van.
Assist with other duties as assigned.