Assistant Nature Camp Director for Call of the Wild Camps: Inspire Behavioral Learning has an opening for day camps in Summer 2024! This opening is for immediate hire as camps are already ongoing June 10-August 9.
Do you love working with children and camp counselors? Do you love the outdoors, nature, and hiking? Are you vegan? Would you like to assist in supervising and leading nature camp counselors? Do you care about creating an inclusive and fun environment for children and novice educators? How about combining your passions into one fun seasonal camp job? We are looking for an on-site Assistant Nature Camp Director to lead staff and children in outdoor Call of the Wild Camps in Oakland and Berkeley. We seek an enthusiastic, energetic, dynamic, and creative leader to join us in designing and implementing educational and recreational outdoor programs. Open a door to the wonders of nature as a living classroom in nature camps, where kids in grades K-5 come to hike, read, write, explore, learn, and play!
Our ideal assistant camp director is a communicative and collaborative team player and leader who is adaptable, friendly, outgoing, energetic, creative, and eager to inspire and engage both children and staff in learning by doing. All camp staff have previous experience in outdoor camps, nature camps, STEM or STEAM camps, early childhood education, elementary school education, special education, outdoor education, environmental education, literacy education, after school programs, outdoor recreation, or related fields.
WHO WE ARE: We believe that to inspire learning is to inspire action! We believe in experiential education and lifelong learning. Inspire Behavioral Learning's mission is to empower people to live happier, more independent and fulfilling lives by achieving their health and educational goals. Outdoor educators in Call of the Wild Camps provide a fun, safe alternative to screen addiction; inspire nature connection and curiosity; and foster healthy, positive relationships with flora and fauna in our natural environments.
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE:
- We believe in the wisdom of "be kind to every kind" and the benefits of veganism on animals and the environment.
- We value the integrity of the whole person and are dedicated to a well-rounded blend of head, heart, and body -- being constant learners, kind and caring, and focused on learning by doing.
- We use emergent curriculum and principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), the science of learning that focuses on observable interaction between the learner and environment.
- We are a small company focused on quality over quantity.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Assist the camp director in managing, administering, and overseeing daily operations of youth programs on-site for outdoor nature camps
- Reliably attend and actively participate in camp training online and on-site, rain or shine
- Reliably and punctually attend outdoor nature camps on-site, rain or shine, M-F 8:25 AM-4:35 PM for the season you are hired to work
- Assist the camp director in supervising and training camp counselors on-site, providing modeling, prompt fading, positive feedback, and constructive feedback
- Greet parents at drop-off and pick-up times, checking children in and out
- Communicate with parents/guardians in a friendly and professional manner
- Assist the camp director in communicating with parents/guardians a brief summary of their child's day at pick-up time
- Safely lead hikes in parks for K-5th graders in small groups, up to approximately 6 miles per day
- Maintain a 4:1 or 5:1 student: staff ratio
- Lead theme weeks Enchanted Forest Art, Enchanted Forest Reading, Enchanted Forest Writing, and Enchanted Vegan Nature
- Lead outdoor language arts activities for children with nature and wilderness themes, including but not limited to circle time with story time and singing, literary show-and-tell, skits, nature journaling, mapmaking, creative writing, and authoring and illustrating books
- Lead activities applying English Language Arts Common Core State Standards to science, such as life science, biology, ecology, zoology, environmental science, stewardship, conservation, preservation, etc., integrating naturalistic observation, exploration, games, group discussion, children's books, and writing activities
- Engage children in outdoor activities that blend recreation and education, such as nature-themed field games, hide and seek and chase games, forest "I Spy" games, and scavenger hunts
- Engage children and staff with a fun teaching style and high energy, creativity, adaptability, spontaneity, dynamism, and positivity
- Supervise and facilitate children's rest breaks, snack and lunch breaks, and physical play breaks
- Provide naturalistic executive function teaching across diverse activities, including planning, organization, and time management
- Implement teaching and behavior management based on principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), including prompting, positive reinforcement, and group contingencies of reinforcement based on student preferences and choices
- Facilitate emergent curriculum and child-centered, student-centered, naturalistic, incidental, and play-based teaching and learning opportunities
- Create both structured and naturalistic learning opportunities
- Keep work materials neat, organized, and in good working condition
- Record accurate, objective incident reports
- Follow all health and safety requirements
- Make sure campers and staff follow safety rules and leave no trace principles
- Follow directions and implement feedback from the camp supervisor
- Proactively communicate camp updates, questions and concerns with the camp director and supervisor
- Represent Call of the Wild Camps in a positive and professional manner with campers, parents/guardians, staff, and community partners
- Perform other duties as assigned
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
- Provide proof of a high school diploma
- Completed relevant college/university coursework
- Provide your academic transcripts (unofficial transcripts are permitted) in good standing
Certification and Safety Requirements:
- Provide proof of unexpired CPR and First Aid certification
- Provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination
- Pass a DOJ and FBI background check
Experience:
- Leadership experience training, mentoring, or overseeing novice camp counselors or educators (does not need to be a formal supervisory position)
- Minimum of one year experience as a camp counselor, outdoor educator, recreation leader, or teacher for outdoor education camps, outdoor recreational camps, nature camps, science camps, STEM camps, STEAM camps, literacy camps, after school programs, or equivalent experience
- Minimum of one year experience working with elementary school age children in K-5th grade
- Experience hiking trails of moderate difficulty on hilly and uneven terrain up to approximately 6 miles a day
- Experience working with culturally, linguistically, and developmentally diverse children
- Experience working with students with widely diverse abilities, including disabilities (e.g., autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, dyslexia, speech and language delays)
- Experience taking initiative leading staff and groups of children
- Experience leading extracurricular enrichment activities for children
- Experience implementing effective and appropriate behavior management for elementary school age children
- Experience with child development and age-appropriate, grade-appropriate, developmentally appropriate activities
Skills:
- Ability to hike trails of moderate difficulty on hilly and uneven terrain up to approximately 6 miles a day five days a week for multiple consecutive weeks
- Ability to carry a loaded hiking backpack weighing up to 20% of your body weight for the duration of each camp day
- Ability to stand, bend, squat, stoop, sit, climb, and lift (up to 50 lbs)
- Demonstrate a fun and engaging leadership style with high energy, creativity, adaptability, spontaneity, dynamism, and positivity
- Friendly, kind, caring, compassionate, and patient teaching style for learners of all skill levels
- Eagerness and openness to continually learn and develop your skill set
- Command of American English phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics
- Excellent ability to break concepts down into simple and easy steps
- Excellent time-management and organizational skills
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills
- Ability to confidently take initiative with minimal direction
- Eco-conscious skills with a demonstrable love of nature and the outdoors, life sciences, biology, environmental science, outdoor education, or environmental education
- Health-conscious skills with a demonstrable love of active and healthy living
- Enthusiasm for nature-themed language arts and literacy teaching
- Enthusiasm for making education relevant to children's lives
- Demonstrate care for children and a desire to help the whole child learn and grow in enjoyable ways, in addition to subject-matter competence in language arts and relevant life sciences
Other Requirements:
- Provide proof of a valid California driver license
- Possess your own reliable transportation to regional and city parks in Oakland and Berkeley
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience hiking in Joaquin Miller Park, Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, and Tilden Regional Park
- Experience working specifically in an outdoor nature camp
- You are vegan, as defined by The Vegan Society (https://www.vegansociety.com/go-vegan/definition-veganism), and you can articulate the benefits of veganism on animals and the environment.
PERKS AND BENEFITS:
- Have fun teaching and inspiring kids and novice educators in the great outdoors!
- Employees get paid training; paid rest breaks; off-duty lunch breaks; and retirement plan if working at least 30 days
- Expand your leadership skills in a supportive and friendly environment with coaching and mentorship
- Become part of a company that truly cares about both the employee’s and student’s happiness and success!
LOCATIONS: Parks in Oakland and Berkeley. Summer camps: Joaquin Miller Park (June), Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park (July), and Tilden Regional Park (June-August). Only applicants residing in the East Bay are considered.
SCHEDULE: 8:25 AM-4:35 PM. Summer camps are M-F, Jun 10-Aug 9. Thursday, July 4th is a day off.
CLASSIFICATION: Non-exempt employee, temporary, seasonal.
APPLY: Submit both a resume and complete application specifying why you might be a great fit for the Assistant Nature Camp Director in Call of the Wild Camps at Inspire Behavioral Learning! You may also apply from our website www.inspirebehavior.com. We look forward to connecting with you!
Please note when applying on the Indeed website: Indeed automatically labels custom screener questions as optional; this is an error on Indeed's part. Completing all application questions is required for your application to be considered.
Keywords: Oakland Assistant Camp Director, Oakland Assistant Camp Supervisor, Berkeley Assistant Camp Director, Berkeley Assistant Camp Supervisor, Oakland Assistant Camp Manager, Berkeley Assistant Camp Manager, Oakland Camp Counselor, Berkeley Camp Counselor. This type of position may also be known as camp leader, camp teacher, camp instructor, camp coordinator, lead instructor, outdoor education instructor, summer camp nature instructor, outdoor programs instructor, outdoor education science instructor, naturalist, environmental educator, outdoor educator, outdoor program director, outdoor program supervisor, youth group leader, youth program supervisor, youth program instructor, youth programs lead instructor, program leader, program supervisor, lead camp counselor, elementary program leader, recreation leader, recreation director, recreation supervisor, summer instructor, summer program director, summer program supervisor, youth program director, and youth program supervisor.
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary
Pay: $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
Schedule:
Work setting:
Application Question(s):
- Why do you think you might be a great fit for the Assistant Nature Camp Director position, specifically in Call of the Wild Camps with Inspire Behavioral Learning? (Required; Indeed erroneously indicates "optional")
- Have you completed relevant college/university coursework in education/biology/environmental science/life science? (Required; Indeed erroneously indicates "optional")
- Do you have the ability to hike trails of moderate difficulty on varied terrain approx. 6 miles a day each day with a backpack weighing up to 20% of your body weight for multiple consecutive weeks? (Required; Indeed erroneously indicates "optional")
- Do you have your own reliable vehicle for commuting to and from work in Oakland, CA and Berkeley, CA? (Required; Indeed erroneously indicates "optional")
- Veganism is not a diet. It is an ethical philosophy and lifestyle advocating for cruelty-free options and against unnecessary animal exploitation in all forms, including food, clothing, sports, recreation, entertainment, experimentation, cosmetics, and household products. Are you vegan, as correctly defined, and what are the benefits of veganism for animals and the environment? (Required; Indeed erroneously indicates "optional")
- Summer camp sessions are M-F from June 10-August 9 (with Thursday, July 4th as a day off). Are you available to work from now to August 9 , including Friday, July 5th? (Required; Indeed erroneously indicates "optional")
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- work with K-5th graders: 1 year (Required)
- leadership for staff in camp/education/recreation: 1 year (Required)
License/Certification:
- UNEXPIRED CPR and First Aid Certification (Required)
- California driver's licence (Required)
Work Location: In person