Seasonal Outdoor Educator (May Start)

University of Wisconsin Madison • Wisconsin Dells, WI

23h • Onsite

About The Position

The Seasonal Outdoor Educator is primary program staff at Upham Woods during the summer season. The role teaches environmental education and outdoor recreation to visiting school and community groups, supports recreational activities, interacts with youth educators, adult volunteers, and group leaders, and cares for program, outpost, and recreational equipment, including science center animals. Work emphasizes customer service, effective educational methods, and safety.

Upham Woods is a residential environmental and leadership education center within the UW-Madison Division of Extension. It provides hands-on, field-based education and recreation for youth, youth leaders, and adults. The center includes 14 buildings, a welcome center, kitchen and dining hall, nature center, and visitor and seasonal staff lodging, on the Wisconsin River and more than 300 acres of forested land.

The position is temporary and fixed-term, with possible extension depending on need and funding. Work is expected to be performed in person at the designated campus work location. Lodging is available in a staff duplex; bedrooms may be individual or shared, and the bathroom and common areas are shared. On-call liaison duties may extend overnight, with a provided cell phone kept on for emergencies. Occasional nights and weekends may be required. Compensation is $17.45–$19.70 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications, with additional hourly incentives for returning staff, active lifeguarding certification, and qualifying camp experience.

Requirements

• Ability to work enthusiastically and creatively in a team and independently.
• Desire to teach user groups ranging in size from 20–150 participants.
• Familiarity with outdoor adventure pursuits and related equipment, such as camping, canoeing, and archery.
• General understanding of environmental education, natural resources, education, and youth development.
• Ability to work flexible hours any day of the week, including evenings.
• Willingness to complete a varied set of tasks on any given day.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry 35 pounds.
• Ability to hike several miles on uneven terrain, including trails and stairs, in varied temperatures and environmental conditions.
• Eligibility to work in the United States by the effective date of appointment.
• Ability to pass an initial Wisconsin caregiver check and subsequent checks every two years.

Nice To Haves

• Coursework toward a bachelor's degree in education, natural science, biology, environmental education, or a related field.
• Ability to take responsibility for a specialization area, such as program animals, challenge course, technology, marketing and social media, or facility improvement.
• Active lifeguarding certification before the start date and valid through August 2027, or ability to obtain it before employment and maintain it through August 2027; required to lead canoeing, outpost, swimming, and Blackhawk Island hikes.
• Professional certifications in activities commonly offered, such as licensed teacher, 4-H Archery, low-ropes challenge course, or canoeing.
• At least two months of other camp experience.

Responsibilities

• Teach environmental education and outdoor recreation programming to school and community groups of 20–150 participants.
• Collaborate with team members to identify and manage outdoor risks.
• Prepare and clean up program activities and maintain educational materials and spaces.
• Serve as the liaison and main point of contact for visiting groups, including on-call duties.
• Facilitate meal service with dining hall staff.
• Complete facility maintenance projects, move canoes and kayaks, perform trail work, and do minor cleaning as needed.
• Care for programmatic, outpost, and recreational equipment, including science center animals.
• Provide assistance to units as requested, including wiping down tables, filing, copying, sorting, and delivering mail.
• Comply with job standards, represent the university positively, and complete assigned duties as needed.

Benefits

• Lodging is available in the staff duplex while working at Upham Woods.
• Hourly incentives are available for returning staff, active lifeguarding certification, and qualifying camp experience.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED