Seasonal Summer Camp Lead Naturalist

Position Description

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is seeking two seasonal Summer Camp Lead Naturalists to work in parks throughout Minneapolis to do the following:

• Deliver a variety of nature-themed summer day camps for preschool through middle school aged participants
• Prepare and deliver fun, educational, hands-on, nature-based programming that primarily takes place outside and promotes positive outdoor and recreational experiences for camp participants
• Ensure campers’ safety and well-being, facilitate children’s interactions with others and their surroundings as needed, and reinforce principles of respect and responsibility
• Engage and encourage campers in learning, exploration, and skill development
• Provide outstanding customer service to camp families and park visitors
• May handle and interpret education animal ambassadors
• Offer program support outside usual program assignment, as needed
• Complete administrative tasks and additional duties as assigned

• Serve as primary communicator between camp staff and camp families. This includes general communication via email with camp families prior to, throughout, and at the end of camp as well as specific conversations in person and over the phone as needed
• Communicate issues to the site coordinator and use collaborative problem solving when reasonable to find resolution
• Guide, model expectations, and collaborate with the other camp naturalists to ensure that tasks are being completed and camp is running successfully
• Serve as primary contact with campers for setting behavioral expectations and handling discipline when needed
• Organize, prepare, and maintain quality of materials needed for each camp day
• Use registration software to produce rosters for camp
• Maintain established standards of safety and recordkeeping practices
• Coordinate with other MPRB staff and outside organizations as needed
• Secure spaces at the end of the camp day

Work location

Each Summer Camp Naturalist will serve one of these sites:

• JD Rivers’ Children’s Garden
• Neighborhood Naturalist camps, which take place in Wirth and Minnehaha Regional Parks

Work Season and Hours

Tentative start date is June 10th. Final day of the camp season is August 29th. Work week is 35-40 hours. Hours typically fall on Mon-Fri between 7:30am and 5:30pm. Request for additional support on Saturday, September 6th to assist with the Minneapolis Monarch Festival/Festival de la Monarca.

Compensation

$24.50 per hour, plus mileage reimbursement when applicable. You are eligible to receive sick and safe time per the Minneapolis City Ordinance and Minnesota Earned Sick and Safe Time, and will earn one (1) hour of sick and safe leave for every thirty (30) hours worked. This position is not eligible for other benefits.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Previous experience as the primary leader responsible for activity direction and group management in an educational setting
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to maintain positivity and composure in potentially stressful circumstances
• Previous experience teaching food preparation to youth (JD Rivers’ role only)
• Previous experience with program content development
• Demonstrated ability to work well with children and diverse populations
• Excellent customer service skills, a positive attitude, creativity, and adaptability
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, communication, and public speaking skills
• Must be able to consistently arrive to programs prepared and on time
• Must be able to accomplish tasks with little direct supervision
• Must be able to lift 30 lbs., hike uneven terrain, and teach effectively in all weather conditions
• Must have a driver’s license and a reliable personal vehicle to haul program materials and drive between work assignment locations (Neighborhood Naturalist role only)

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with MPRB
• Previous experience leading and coordinating staff
• Demonstrated success teaching in an outdoor setting or classroom
• Previous experience teaching or programming in a produce garden (JD Rivers’ role only)
• Interpretive or environmental education experience at a nature center, education center, or similar
• Training in environmental education, ecology, natural history, teaching, or similar
• Program instruction that included live education animals
• Working knowledge of Minnesota flora, fauna, and ecosystems
• CPR and First Aid Certification

To Apply

Application Deadline: Sunday, February 23rd. Send your cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 professional references to: EEjobapplications@minneapolisparks.org. Please put “Summer Camp Lead Naturalist” in the subject line. Applications will be evaluated as they are received, and interviews scheduled accordingly.

Applicants will receive receipt of application via email. If no receipt of application is received within 48 hours of applying, please inquire with Lori Smiley LSmiley@minneapolisparks.org, 612-313-7727.

The City of Minneapolis is an equal opportunity employer.