Camp Counselor

Job Description

Overview:

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden’s mission is to conserve California native plants and habitats for the health and well-being of people and the planet. The Garden is a living museum which fosters the conservation of California’s native plants through our gardens, research, and education, and serves as a role model of sustainable practices. Within the scope of this mission, the goal of the Education team is to enable transformative experiences through native plants for the Garden visitor.

Camp Counselors work with other Education staff to lead outdoor activities as part of the Garden’s Summer Camp program. Camp Counselors should be passionate about connecting kids with nature, creative and flexible in their teaching approach, and able to work either as a team or individually to provide effective and impactful programming. This is a full-time (around 40 hours), temporary position, and reports to the Youth and Family Programs Manager.

Essential Duties:

Lead and supervise groups of up to 16 students outdoors (ages 5-12) with another counselor.

Provide exploration and engaging outdoor, nature-based activities as well as other camp activities such as arts and crafts

Ensure campers follow Garden rules, policies, and standards

Enforce safety and discipline policies as needed

Help coordinate child drop-off and pick-up

Manage group needs and safety, for example, by keeping them hydrated and cool, or away from poison oak, etc.

Be adequately prepared to facilitate camp programs by attending training and reading curriculum materials

Work with volunteers to help facilitate camp activities

Help evaluate camp programs by providing feedback and performing periodic evaluation activities with campers

Clean spaces and materials throughout the day as needed

Interact with camp parents/guardians during camp drop-off and pick-up

Prepare camp activities by prepping materials ahead of time and coordinating with education staff and volunteers

Assist with clean up, breakdown and inventorying of equipment and materials at the end of the camp season

Answer general questions about the Garden and its Education Programs to the public

Work Schedule:

Must be available to work Monday through Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm and 8:45am-5:15pm shifts from June 15 through August 14.

Each week, counselor will be assigned either a regular-day shift (7:30am-4:00pm) or an extended-day shift (8:45am-5:15pm)

Must be available to attend staff training from 9am-5:30pm, June 9-12

Available to assist with post-camp clean up from 9am-3pm on August 17

Knowledge and Abilities:

Knowledge of ecology, botany, and/or natural history of California preferred

Basic understanding of conferencing and streaming technologies

Understanding and experience with inquiry-based teaching styles

Working understanding of outdoor etiquette and basic Leave No Trace principles

Spanish fluency preferred

Excellent time management skills

Flexibility and ability to respond appropriately to diverse group situations

Excellent verbal communication skills with both children and adults

Qualifications and Experience:

First Aid/CPR certified or able to obtain prior to start date

Mandated Reporter certified or able to obtain prior to start date

Must pass a Live Scan background check prior to hiring

Experience working with children ages 5 to 12

Completed or pursuing a degree in education or relevant science field preferred

Experience in a botanic garden, environmental education, and/or a museum setting preferred

Experience with informal education activities in a natural setting preferred

Physical Functions:

Must be capable of occasional strenuous physical work including:

Standing/walking for extended periods of time

Lifting and carrying 50 lbs., bending, squatting and walking stairs and Garden trails

Tolerance of an outdoor work environment including exposure to outdoor environmental conditions, including extreme temperature fluctuations, rain, dust, allergens, poison oak, insects, small wild animals, and sun exposure

Working outdoors for 40 hours/week