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Bilingual Program Educator and Summer Camp Coordinator

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt, Full Time, Regular

REPORTS TO: Program Manager and Camp Manager (during the Camp Season)

POSITION SUMMARY:

This year-round position is a combination of teaching academic education programs to school groups (Weekdays from 8:00am-2:00pm, September-May) as well as facilitating community education programs for adults and families. This position must be able to perform all aspects of the job in English and Spanish. Occasional weeknights and Saturdays are required.

In the late spring and summer season (May-August), this position transitions into conducting the Summer

Camp Coordinator responsibilities. The Summer Coordinator portion is responsible for providing support to the Summer Camp Educators and campers all season long. They care for staff, volunteer, and camper happiness, health, and safety for 10 weeks, Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm.

The Programs Team at Blandford Nature Center offers a wide array of programming to the West Michigan community. Much of the school year (September-May) is dedicated to field trip programming for preschool and elementary-aged students. We also offer year-round programming to the general community, including arts and crafts programs, nature and STEM-focused programming, bilingual (Spanish) programming, and Michigan history-focused programming. Program Educators at BNC participate in all of the varying program content but may focus on specific areas depending on their personal skillsets.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Educational Programming

Including but not limited to:

• Lead outdoor environmental education programs for school and youth groups at Blandford Nature Center year round

• Lead in the delivery of community education programs for children, adults and families

• Maintain high standards of safety and well-being of program participants

• Assist in the development of environmental education curriculum and materials, including lesson plans and learning aids

• Assist in documentation and evaluation of all programs, including participant demographics, satisfaction and program effectiveness

• Assist in the maintenance and storage of program equipment, supplies and facilities

• Assist with organization-wide special events and community programs as a member of the Programs Team

• Maintain a high level of professionalism and safety when working directly with animal ambassadors

• Assist with other program duties as assigned

Community Programming

Including but not limited to:

• Lead in the delivery of community education programs for children, adults and families

• Provide interpretation at festivals, community events, and other specialty programming as needed

• Assist in the development of community programs and materials, including lesson plans and festival planning

Summer Camp Coordinator Responsibilities

Including but not limited to:

• Assist in establishing a camp community that fosters responsibility, team building, and social development for staff, volunteers, and campers

• Stand in for absent Camp Educators whenever necessary

• Stand in for group support in absence of Camp Aides

• Provide on-the-ground support to all camp educators in maintaining a high quality camp experience

• Lead a weekly Camp Warm-Up program that operates Monday-Friday from 7:45-8:45am

• Maintain high standards of safety and well-being of program participants and camp aides

• Provide excellent customer service to camp families, reporting camp inquiries and concerns to Camp Manager and Administrator

• Assist in communicating any behavioral interventions involving campers to parents after consulting with the administrative team

• Organizes weekly camp supply needs and maintains camp resource inventory

• Assist in the maintenance and storage of camp equipment, supplies and facilities

• Assist in weekly tie dye activities and maintaining tie dye supplies throughout the summer

• Provides administrative assistance for off-site activities including ability to transport campers and camp aides in a 15 passenger van

• Assist with other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Minimum Required Qualifications

Including but not limited to:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish, including reading and writing is a requirement

• Coursework and/or experience in the fields of outdoor recreation, youth development, education, environmental or natural sciences or other related disciplines

• Previous experience working with children and adults in a non-formal education environment

• Experience working with/leading school age children (Pre-K through 12th) in an outdoor/ camp setting

• Ability to communicate factual, scientific information simply and enthusiastically to a broad audience

• Demonstrated ability to implement standard outdoor risk group management techniques

• Comfort with and ability to work effectively outdoors, in all types of weather, for extended time periods

• Ability to monitor and model safe work habits to all staff, volunteers, and campers

• Ability to communicate calmly, clearly, and concisely with all staff, volunteers, and campers

• Ability to be certified in Adult and Child CPR/First Aid (provided by Blandford Nature Center during mandatory training)

• Successfully pass required background checks

• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and clean driving record and be willing to operate a Blandford vehicle

• Basic knowledge of Google Workspace or similar software

Physical Requirements

Including but not limited to:

• Ability to move teaching materials, bins and equipment up to 30 lbs, overhead, on/off shelves and in/out of wagons

• Ability to pull a wagon weighing up to 50 pounds over uneven terrain

• While performing the duties of this job, the staff member is regularly required to hike, bend stand and twist for 60 minutes or more

• Ability to work outdoors in a variety of conditions; including extreme temperatures and maneuver over wet, brushy, muddy, steep trail surfaces and uneven terrain

Core Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

Including but not limited to:

• Display positive, compassionate and energetic attitude and behavior for all staff, volunteers, and campers

• Convey passion and enthusiasm while sharing about nature and the outdoor environment

• Flexibility in leading a broad variety of nature programming to all audiences of all ages

• Willingness to remain flexible during day to day tasks and responsibilities, and with needs of camp groups and individual campers

• Demonstrate initiative and problem solving within the programming department

• Demonstrate sound judgement in decision making

Blandford Nature Center is committed to selecting the candidate who is the best overall fit for

this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to apply even if you do

not meet every preferred qualification listed below.

As you consider your experience, think broadly about the knowledge, relationships, volunteer

service, cultural leadership, community involvement, and lived experiences you bring—not

solely paid employment or formal job titles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in youth development, outdoor recreation, parks and recreation management, or education

• Bilingual (Spanish and English) conversational and written communication skills are a strong plus

Compensation

This is a paid, non-exempt, full-time position working an average of 40 hours per week. The schedule is flexible and will include occasional weekend and evening hours. The hourly wage for this position is $20.50 per hour. This position qualifies for paid holidays, accrued paid time off, free BNC membership, and participation in a SIMPLE IRA plan with an up to 3% employer match.