Summer Wilderness Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Looking for a job that combines teaching, adventure, and the outdoors? Spend your season at Bryant Pond 4-H Learning Center, leading youth in environmental education, canoe trips, campfires, and community building. You'll gain real-world experience, build leadership skills, and make lasting memories all while working in one of Maine's most beautiful outdoor classrooms.

Statement of the Job:

This is a full-time position, late April to early November, as part of a team of educators. Outdoor Educators lead and support environmental and outdoor learning programs for youth at Bryant Pond 4-H Camp. You will provide hands-on nature-based and group-building lessons for students as part of our Lakeside Classroom programming. All school programming is customized and incorporates different curriculum standards with students across grades K-12. Although the main responsibility of an Outdoor Educator is to work directly with participants teaching lessons, work in other areas may be required.  Staff may be asked to help with facility upkeep and maintenance, office work, building projects, gardening, outreach, and lesson planning. Stipend is $475-550 per week for about 30 weeks, including paid training, paid in bi-weekly installments. 

We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.

Complete Job Description

• Spring Appointment: Mid-April through early June 2026; Educators focus on our Lakeside Classroom programs with school, working primarily with 5th-8th grade students in day and overnight programming at the Bryant Pond 4-H Camp or for in-school programs. 
  • This position is roughly based on a five-day work week starting Monday morning and ending before 6:00 pm on Friday. Field Teachers may be asked to work occasional weekends on a rotating basis for specialty programs and will be compensated for extra days. Most weeks will consist of two or three overnight or day programs. 
• Summer Appointment: Mid-June through mid-August 2026; Educators serve in roles during summer programs, either as program coordinators or camp counselors. Educators will reside on-site with campers in shared housing throughout the season, with structured time off each week.
• Fall Appointment: Early-September through late October 2026; programs run similarly to the Spring season. This position is roughly based on a five-day work week starting Monday morning and ending before 6:00 pm on Friday.

Qualifications:
Required: 

• You have a High school diploma or equivalent
• Commitment to working collectively as a part of a hard-working, supportive, and positive team
• Commitment to working long days with participants in a hands-on and high-energy setting
• You have a genuine motivation to work with children in a vibrant, high-energy outdoor setting where every day is an adventure.

Preferred: 

• You hold a certification: 
  • Basic First Aid/CPR
  • Wilderness First Aid/Wilderness First Responder
  • Lifeguard
  • Maine Trip Leader Permit
• You have experiential education experience with youth, preferably in an outdoor setting
• You have knowledge of ecological concepts and natural history
• With or without accommodation, you have the ability to lead groups outdoors over various terrain with 35+ lbs. packs for extended days and the ability to assist in carrying canoes (85 lb.) with others in a variety of weather conditions
• Experience educating and managing children, kindergarten-12th grade in an outdoor setting as well as the confidence to lead adult groups
• You demonstrate responsible and safe decision-making skills, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience during programming
• Degree in environmental science, education, adventure education, childcare, or a willingness to learn and self-teach new skills
• Interests that include: Initiative Games/Challenges, High Ropes Courses, Archery, Wilderness Survival Skills, Fishing, Hiking, Canoeing, Hunting, Backpack/Canoe Expeditions, Indoor Rock Climbing, Forest Ecology, Geology, gardening, and Science in general.
• Experience facilitating teambuilding initiatives, as well as low and high challenge course activities
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions while managing the needs of all participants 
  

About Bryant Pond 4-H Learning Center:
The 4-H Camp and Learning Centers provide environmentally focused programs for Maine youth and families in Bryant Pond. Our mission is to teach youth and adults to be effective and caring citizens of the earth through affordable environmental education and fun nature-based experiences.  The camp is located in Bryant Pond, Maine is nestled on the shores of Lake Christopher with 160 acres of forest and mountain trails leading to remote campsites, streams, ponds, wetlands, and a mountain summit. A short drive from the camp you can be in the beautiful White Mountain National Forest and the Rangeley Lakes area. The local area provides many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts including rock climbing, backpacking, hunting and fishing, canoeing, and a large winter ski and sport industry. Portland, Maine's largest city is only an hour's drive with live music, great food, and shopping.

Other Information:

To be considered for this position you will need to "Apply" and upload the documentation listed below:

1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position

2.) a resume/curriculum vitae

Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for references.

Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

These materials are reviewed on a weekly basis. The final date to apply for 2026 is 4:30 p.m. on September  1st.

For questions about the search, please contact Mary Proulx, mary.gorham@maine.edu.

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.
 

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis 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, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. You may view the University's Annual Security Report. If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.