Lead Camp Instructor and Seasonal Educator, June-November

OVERVIEW 

The Lead Camp Instructor/Seasonal Educator will contribute to all aspects of Oxbow Education (“OxEd”) programming, starting with summer camp and summer farm adventures (field trips), then continuing into our busiest school field trip season – Fall Farm Adventures.

This position contributes to the oversight and coordination of camp staff and volunteers, addressing issues and training needs as they arise and assisting in the facilitation of a mid-season refresher training for staff. The Lead Camp Instructor will contribute to camp activities and planning, including creative contributions of stories, crafts, music, or Kids’ Farm features. This position will likely include parent communication and camp prep responsibilities and contribution to reflection, debriefing, and formalizing of camp documents and reporting.

New this year, two weeks of our day camp will feature concurrent camp sessions: one session for campers ages 4-6 (Dig In!) and one simultaneous session for a smaller group of pre-teen campers ages 11–13 (Dig Deeper). Lead camp instructor/seasonal educator will contribute to programming and mentorship of the pre-teen camp, and at times will welcome them into their small camp groups to support the early learners with farm, culinary, or nature connection activities.

Camp instructors must be available to work ALL training and camp weeks, as outlined below. Between camp weeks you will be leading summer field trips, working on farm projects in our Kids’ Farm, leading programs on Oxbow Saturdays and other public event days as needed, and planning for upcoming camp sessions.

There may be opportunity to grow with OxEd beyond the fall season.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Environmental Education (60%)

• Participate in delivering environmental/farm education programs to all age groups, including summer and fall Farm Adventures (field trips)
• Assist in preparing for Oxbow’s 5 weeks of summer camp and act as Lead Summer Camp Instructor
• Contribute to the success of Oxbow’s five week-long summer camp sessions, including coordinating farm projects, storytelling, and supporting & training summer camp staff (including a mid-season refresher training for camp staff)
• Contribute to the oversight of camp staff and volunteers, parent communication, and formalizing camp documents and record keeping
• Contribute to trainings of volunteers

• Lead your designated group of campers, ages 4-6 or 7-11, in farm- and nature-based camp activities
• Ensure safety of campers at all times
• Contribute to planning and prep in advance of summer camp sessions, typically the Friday before the upcoming camp session is used as a planning day on site at Oxbow
• Plan and lead most day-to-day activities of your summer camp group
• Facilitate games, songs, stories, and activities
• Participate in all-camp activities & farm tasks
• Behavioral management of campers and parent communication
• Work with and give direction to volunteer(s) assigned to your group, or to pre-teens during camp collaboration times
• Setup and cleanup of daily camp activities

• Participate in daily planning and debriefing meetings, and in team-building activities that contribute to the development of the education team
• Document camp sessions using personal cell phone or digital camera, uploading photos at the end of each camp week

OxEd volunteer coordination (15%)

• Contribute to the oversight, training and recruitment of volunteers for summer camp, Kids’ Farm work, and seasonal naturalists
• Contribute to volunteer recruitment, recognition, training, and support
• Track and report on volunteer hours

Farming and Gardening (15%)

• Assist with planting, sowing, weeding, mulching, harvesting, seed-saving and general maintenance and upkeep of OxEd infrastructure and two-acre Kids’ Farm and Living Playground.

Public Engagement (10%)

• Deliver environmental/farm education programs to all age groups at occasional weekend Kids’ Farm tours, seasonal festivals and special events
• Support venue & public engagement activities with setup, breakdown and general customer service
• Communicate about Oxbow’s programs and memberships to the public

QUALIFICATIONS

 Four-year degree or comparable experience in the area of environmental education, food systems, education, or environmental studies

• Two or more years of experience delivering environmental education programming, including summer camp experience
• Comfortable speaking in front of large groups and using creative ways to present information, including icebreakers, team building, and games
• Ability to stay organized while juggling multiple time-sensitive projects
• Consistent attention to detail
• Ability to take direction, ask for help/clarity when necessary, and accept constructive feedback on work and technique
• Clear, consistent communication
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Positive leadership skills
• Ability to perform work in inclement weather, standing, sitting, bending over or kneeling, to lift heavy & awkward objects, up to 50 lbs., and to perform physical work such as digging and planting
• Flexible, creative, positive and able to perform well in diverse conditions and under pressure

Additional desired qualities include: environmentally conscious, detail oriented, self-motivated, energetic, and professional.

To be considered, candidates must be available for ALL of the following camp weeks:

OxEd is part of a larger non-profit organization. A commitment to Oxbow’s overall mission and working as part of a team is critical.

Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

COMPENSATION

This is a seasonal, full-time position, paying $15-$16 per hour , with some paid time-off and access to food from the fields.

REPORTS TO:

The OxEd Program Manager, with direct oversight from the Camp Director

TO APPLY

Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered. Email a resume, letter of interest, and 3 references to:

Megan Boyce-Jacobs
Deputy Director
Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center
thedirt@oxbow.org

Please write Lead Camp Instructor in the email subject line and include where you found this position in the message body.

Deadline to apply is Monday, February 18, 2019