Summer Camp - Environmental Educator

The 4-H Learning Centers at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove provide environmentally focused outdoor education programs for Maine youth in Lincolnville and Tenants Harbor. Programs emphasize community living, respect for others, fun, safety, responsibility, and the joy of being a part of the natural world. Tanglewood in Lincolnville, Maine has 900+ acres of forest, extensive hiking trails, and a pristine river with native Atlantic Salmon. Blueberry Cove, located on the ocean in Tenants Harbor, Maine, provides many outdoor opportunities including sailing and kayaking. 

As an Environmental Educator, you will provide hands-on ecology immersion for students as part of our Open Air Classroom. All school programming is customized and highlights our Earth Connections curriculum and BEETLES teaching methodology. Programs work with students across grades K-12. As an Educator, you will develop and implement the program curriculum, schedules, and new projects. 

We look for staff to join us for the entire program season April-early November, but we are open to discussing shorter one-season options or seasonal combinations.

Spring Appointment: Early April through early June 2024; educators focus on our Open Air Classroom programs with school, working primarily with 2nd-8th grade students in day and overnight programming at Tanglewood or supporting day and after school programs at Blueberry Cove.

Summer Appointment: Mid-June through mid-August 2024; educators serve in roles during summer programs, either as program leaders, day camp or overnight camp educators, or teen leadership instructors. 

Fall Appointment: Mid-September through early November 2024; programs run similarly to the Spring season.  

Goal: foster a sense of community between students and teachers that draws from the interconnectedness of the natural world; encourage curiosity in students through modeling your own curiosity for learning; and contribute to the further development of engaging and meaningful experiential programs. 

Spring/Fall/Winter Responsibilities:

• Develop and teach hands-on, ecology, STEM, group building, and outdoor skills-based lessons to grades K-12 for the day, overnight, and after-school programs
• Deliver programs in schools and at multiple sites, including our learning centers in Lincolnville and Tenants Harbor, ME (some travel is required)
• Contribute ideas for the continual development of programs, interpretive trails, and educational displays
• Work independently and with staff to develop and maintain teaching resources
• Participate actively in staff training, ongoing professional development, and daily staff meetings to plan and evaluate programs
• Take part in routine tasks of cleaning and kitchen duties, gardening, general camp chores, and upkeep of program spaces to support the staff community
• Demonstrate responsible and safe decision-making skills in all aspects of outdoor programming
• Transport students in University vans to program sites
• Foster interpersonal relationships that reflect courtesy, civility, and mutual respect
• Typical work week Monday through Friday with some evening (1-2 nights per week no later than 9 PM) and weekend program responsibilities

Dates and Compensation:

• Spring, April 4-June 7, 2024; Summer, June 12-August 16, 2024, and September 6-November 3, 2024
• $500-$550/week (pre-tax) with increases dependent on experience and certifications  and additional bonus for a commitment to all 3 program seasons
• Rustic housing with kitchen facilities provided; meals provided when overnight programs are in session, staff are responsible for assisting with some meal preparation and clean up

The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu. 

The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options. As a former NSF ADVANCE institution, the University of Maine is committed to diversity in our workforce and to dual-career couples.

Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove are in mid-coast Maine, in Lincolnville and Tenants Harbor. This position is based at one of these two locations. Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove are sandwiched between two great coastal towns of Rockland and Belfast with the nearby food and arts community of Camden nested in between.  

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experiential education experience with youth, preferably in an outdoor setting
• Knowledge of ecological concepts and natural history
• Ability to work in an active, outdoor environment in a variety of weather conditions
• Safely lead groups over various terrain (uneven ground, roots, uphill hiking), while carrying a small backpack with teaching and first aid supplies
• Basic First Aid/CPR certification, complete upon arrival 
• Hold a valid driver's license with the ability to drive camp vehicles, tow canoe trailers at times 

Preferred:

• Wilderness First Aid; lifeguard certification

If you are a student, please send all application materials (see below) to extension.tanglewood4h@maine.edu. 

If you are not a student, materials must be submitted via "Apply For Position" below. You will need to create a profile and application; upload:

1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2.) a resume/curriculum vitae
3.) contact information for three professional references

You will also need to submit the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status forms. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

Search Timeline is as follows:
Review of applications to begin: February 1, 2024
Interviews to begin no earlier than: February 14, 2024
Tentative start date: April 8, 2024

For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair Jessica Decke at Jessica.decke@maine.edu or 207-789-5802.

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).