Summer Camp Naturalist (Hourly/Temporary)

Company: University of Washington
Location: Seattle
Posted on: May 16, 2022

Job Description:

The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation's premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.At the University of Washington, diversity is integral to excellence. We value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, opportunity and justice for all.The University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG) is a leading center of botanical research, education, and outreach. With more than 320 acres of gardens and natural areas in the heart of Seattle, the UW Botanic Gardens is home to internationally significant plant collections, award-winning restoration ecology and conservation programs, and popular public programs serving youth, adults, and professionals. UWBG has two sites: the Washington Park Arboretum and the Center for Urban Horticulture.University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG) Education Program Mission: Provide meaningful educational experiences that enrich participants' connections with plants and the natural world.Our day-camp curricula are designed to promote environmental conservation through education and recreation.To achieve this, we focus on hands-on exploration, play and the concept of "learning by doing." We want to develop a nature connection in our campers through fun, educational experiences in and about nature. In 2022, Arboretum Summer Camp will offer day camp to 1st-8th grade campers and volunteer and leadership training to high school students through the Junior Naturalist program and a 4-week internship program.Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: At the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, we value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, fairness, and opportunity for all. We see implicit and explicit exclusion from green spaces like botanic gardens as an injustice that shapes our past and present and must be countered as we move into the future.As a community, we believe that working to achieve equity and promote inclusion is both crucial and complex; we embrace the continuous commitment, the collective growth mindset, and the humility required to make meaningful transformation.For the full statement of commitment, visithttps://botanicgardens.uw.edu/about/UW Botanic Garden's Youth and Family Education has an outstanding opportunity open for a Temporary Summer Camp Naturalist. This position will Lead and teach thematic environmental education programs for 1st-8th grade campers, integrating science, social-emotional learning, team building, art, and play. Serve as mentors to high school volunteers and interns. Summer Naturalists will lead field groups of up to 12 campers and supervise and provide activities during after care. Shifts will vary each week with the earliest starting at 7:30am and the latest ending at 5:15pm with all staff working 8 hours per business day when camp is in session.Dates: June 13 - August 26, 2022Training takes place June 13-17, roughly 9am-3pm, times may vary.Camp begins on June 21st and ends on August 27th (no camp on June 20th or July 4th). There are 5 sessions through-out the summer, each session is two weeks long, Monday-Friday.COVID-19 Considerations: This is an in-person, fully outdoors summer day camp. UWBG successfully ran an in-person summer day camp in 2020 and 2021. We are experienced with the WA Department of Health safety guidelines and additional requirements from the University of Washington to run summer camp. While these requirements may be updated again before the summer of 2022, we are confident in our ability to adapt.Related safety precautions currently in place for summer 2022 include:Campers and staff will remain socially distanced as much as possible.Campers register for two-week sessions. Staff work with the same group during the session and groups have limited interactions.Modified drop off and pick up to limit in-person interaction with caregivers.General Duties: Plan, prepare, and teach age- and theme- appropriate lessons, activities and games. Utilize the Arboretum to create fun and dynamic educational and recreational experiences for campers. Naturalists will be responsible for a group of up to 12 campers and possibly 1 high school assistant.Essential Tasks:Prepare and facilitate thematic, culturally responsive, and age-appropriate experiences using prepared curriculum and other UW Botanic Gardens Youth and Family educational resourcesCollaborate with fellow Summer Camp Naturalists and participate in all daily activities and management of youth campers, including collaboration with and mentoring of a high school youth of all backgrounds and varying abilitiesCollaborate with lead, administrative, and support staffFollow all health and safety precautions including masking, social distancing, cleaning, and sanitizing, hand washing, and field group isolationMaintain and ensure safety of children and environment at all timesCommunicate effectively with families, campers, and Arboretum staff teamFoster a fun and educational atmosphereSupport and guide youth in their interpersonal and social-emotional developmentRequirements:High school graduation or equivalent AND at least 1 year of experience (personal or professional) teaching diverse youth audiences in an outdoor environment OR equivalent education.Desired:Passion for equity and inclusion in environment and education.Willingness to work with students from 1st grade through high school in various capacities.Have excellent organizational skills, the ability to work as a team member, and strong interpersonal skills.Conditions of Employment:Ability to stand, stoop, bend, and sit, for 15-20 minutes at a time.Be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds for short distances.Be punctual, responsible, and able to work outdoors in all types of weather.CPR and First Aid certification or willingness to obtain prior to the start of campDepartment Contact:Send questions to: Kim Daniel, Youth & Family Programs Supervisor, 206-616-3381, kwdaniel@uw.edu.Application Process:The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter, and/or others.Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTGovernor Inslee's Proclamation 21-14.2 requires employees of higher education and healthcare institutions to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. View the Final candidate guide to COVID-19 vaccination requirement webpage for information about the medical or religious exemption process for final candidates.

Keywords: University of Washington, Seattle , Summer Camp Naturalist (Hourly/Temporary), Other , Seattle, Washington