Seasonal Outdoor Educator (May Start)

Universities of Wisconsin•Wisconsin Dells, WI

2d•$17 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

Upham Woods Seasonal Outdoor Educators are the primary programmatic personnel at the center during the summer season. They teach environmental education and outdoor recreation programs for visiting school and community groups, interact with 4-H youth educators, adult volunteers, and other group leaders, and care for programmatic, outpost, and recreational equipment, including science center animals. The work emphasizes customer service, effective educational methods, and safety. The role also includes serving as the visiting groups’ main contact, sometimes on call overnight; helping with meal service; preparing and cleaning up activities; maintaining educational materials and spaces; and providing facility and conservation support. Lodging is available in the staff duplex, with individual or shared bedrooms and shared bathrooms and common areas. This is a temporary, fixed-term, in-person position at Upham Woods. Work may occasionally include nights and weekends to meet program needs. The position may be extended depending on need and funding. Well-qualified candidates can anticipate earning $17.45–$19.70 per hour, with potential hourly incentives for returning staff, an active lifeguarding certification, and qualifying camp experience.

Requirements

Ability to work enthusiastically and creatively in a team setting and independently.
Desire to teach user groups ranging in size from 20–150 participants.
Familiarity with outdoor adventure activities and associated 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 over uneven terrain, including trails and stairs, in a wide variety of temperatures and environmental conditions.
Eligibility to work in the United States by the effective date of appointment.
Ability to pass an initial 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.
Lifeguarding certification, or ability to obtain it before employment begins, with certification active through August 2027. It is 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 may qualify for an hourly incentive.
Returning for a second, third, or fourth season may qualify for hourly incentives.

Responsibilities

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