Environmental Education Director (Discovery Park)

Environmental Education Director (Discovery Park)

The Associated Recreation Council is recruiting for an enthusiastic and engaging Summer Nature Day Camp Environmental Education Director to join our team at Discovery Park. Duties will include creating a daily plan with a focus on Environmental Education, art, physical movement and social development, ensuring regular communication with parents about their children, planning the program activities, and administrative work. Discovery Park offers extraordinary opportunities for nature adventures with 530 acres including forests, meadows, wetlands, and beach access.   

The popular Adventure Trek nature day camp includes a repeating weekly schedule focused on exploring the various environments and habitats found within the park.  

Location:

• Discovery Park

Summer Day Camp Schedule: 

• July 1st – August 23rd, 2024 (No camp July 4)

• Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week. 

• Shifts will be 8 hours per day starting between 8:00am – 9:00am (subject to change based on business need). 

• Mandatory pre-camp training and orientation will be offered June 20-21; 24-28

Pre-camp Schedule (Remotely and In-Person):

• January – April 2024: 10 hours per month

• May 2024: 10 hours per week

• June 2024: 10 hours per week & beginning June 17th 40 hours per week

Pay Range: $28.00-$31.50

Responsibilities:

Relationship Building

• Create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all participants.

• Lead and collaborate with EarthKeepers Team to ensure safety of all participants.

• Lead and collaborate with EarthKeepers Team to manage behavioral concerns of all participants.

• Establish relationships of mutual trust and good communication with program participants, their families, and Seattle Parks and Recreation Partners.

• Attend all required meetings and training (paid).

Care and Safety

• Demonstrate and lead a safe, friendly and fun learning environment. 

• Supervise a team of approximately 4-8 environmental educators.

• Serve as a positive role model for campers and staff and use positive behavior guidance strategies.

• Complete required accident/incident forms if participants or instructors are injured.

• Provide a safe environment by maintaining orderly, clean and appealing facilities; competent in emergency preparedness; removing known safety hazards; ensuring staff and themselves have current CPR/First Aid certification, and any other required or applicable credentials.

Programming Requirements

• Guide children ages 6-12 in hands-on, Environmental Education activities. 

• Work closely with the EarthKeepers team to plan and implement programs and activities. 

• Guide 12-17 children, ages 6-12, with a co-educator while exploring Carkeek Park.

• Direct games and activities (including songs and art projects) for campers.

• Develop programs that are developmentally age appropriate and culturally relevant.

• Oversee program staff, including scheduling and on the job training.

• Prepare reports and perform other administrative tasks, attendance records, program application and fees, budgeting, etc.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years old.

• 2 years experience with working with 6-12 year-olds and with large groups and diverse populations.

• Experience with leading activities for this age group and supervisory experience.

• Must have strong communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with parents and Parks & Recreation staff.

• Demonstrated experience working with families, community members and partners to foster positive relationships.

• Ability to work collaboratively with team members of diverse backgrounds. 

• Current First Aid, CPR, and Food Handlers permit, or willingness to attain.  

• If hired, must pass criminal background check, provide proof of eligibility to work in the US and valid government issued ID and must sign up for direct deposit with either checking or savings account.

Desired Skills/Abilities: 

• Experience working with a diversity of youth; 

• Experience working with large groups of children;

• Knowledge of Pacific Northwest plants, animals, and ecosystems; 

• Knowledge of child development and teaching methods; 

• Ability to develop creative lesson plans. 

This is a summer only position. Benefits include Employee Assistance Program, Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST). 

We are actively prescreening and interviewing for this role, so if this role is a good fit for you and you want to learn more about it, please apply now.