CWES - Summer Camp Counselor/Naturalist

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Job Summary:

The Central Wisconsin Environmental Station is a field station supported by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources and the UWSP Foundation, Inc. The Station is operated year-round by permanent staff and university students as an environmental education center for people of all ages.

Description:

Counselor/Naturalists will be responsible for supporting summer camps at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES). Naturalists will serve as educators, caretakers, and mentors for all camp participants. Most weeks, counselors live in lodges with campers or in a separate cabin in our cabin loop from Sunday afternoon until mid-afternoon on Friday. Counselors will be required to stay on-site from Sunday at 1:00 pm to Friday at 5:00 pm each week. Counselors will be given an average of 3 hours off daily Monday – Thursday during residential weeks, except in the event of an offsite trip or during an overnight campout. During this off-time counselors will be able to leave the site. If a contract or specialty camp is on site with their own counselors, CWES counselors will not be required to stay onsite overnight.

During the summer, CWES offers:

1.       Residential Summer Camps: Campers stay overnight anywhere from a few nights to a full week depending on the session. Some overnight sessions include off-site camping.

2.       Day Camp: Campers join CWES staff for the day for nature-based activities and camp programming and return home each night.

3.       Contract and Specialty Camps: CWES staff facilitate outside groups that come to use the property and our equipment. These groups come with their own leadership, but CWES staff still have the opportunity to lead various programming.

Daily/Weekly Staff Responsibilities & Duties:

• Attend and participate in semiweekly staff meetings.

• Assist with camper check-in/check-out, mealtimes, and other camp happenings.

• Under the direct supervision of the Camp Director, present environmental educational programs and lead games and activities (archery, canoeing, arts, tree climbing, etc.)

• Assist lifeguards in waterfront supervision.

• Assist with setting up and maintaining equipment and locations on site

• Ensure the safety and well-being of campers

• Utilize appropriate behavior management techniques as trained, or seek guidance when unsure how to proceed.

• Maintain professional communication with all other staff members, including radio use.

• Reside in a lodge or in the cabin loop with campers when assigned to do so. This involves ensuring the campers are prepared in the morning, that lights-out is enforced, that they are cared for overnight, and includes fostering a positive group dynamic as well as addressing the needs of the individual.

• Assist in camp projects as needed, including the final camp cleanup week.

• Facilitate group competitions and relays with campers.

• Other duties as assigned

Essential Functions:

• Work cooperatively with CWES staff to build and maintain a positive, cohesive work atmosphere for all

• Work through conflicts with staff and campers in a compassionate and professional manner

• Live in a shared staff housing during non-residential camp weeks, and live in lodges with campers or cabin loop with other staff during residential camp weeks

• Serve as a positive role model to campers by following and implementing camp objectives and UWSP policies

• Work in variable weather conditions, often hot temperatures, for several hours at a time

• Assist maintenance and food service staff as needed

• Maintain an inclusive, positive and respectful attitude towards all staff and campers

• Lift 30 lbs

Accommodations:

When Counselor/Naturalists are assigned to cabin/lodge duties during CWES camp, they will either spend the night in a lodge with campers, or stay in a staff cabin in the cabin loop with other cabin staff. During other times, Counselor/Naturalists will be provided shared, staff housing on-site. Shared restrooms, showers, wi-fi, and laundry facilities are provided. When programs are in session, all staff will receive free meals from the dining hall. When programs are not in session, leftovers may be provided but are not guaranteed.

Schedule:

Employment begins June 1st and ends on August 14th. Mandatory training for all staff will be June 1st-5th.

Compensation:

• $400/week without lifeguard certification

• • An additional $15/week incentive for returning counselor/naturalists

• $425/week with lifeguard certification

• • An additional $15/week incentive for returning counselor/naturalists

• Lodging, meals, and laundry are offered through contracted dates as outlined above

• Internship: UWSP students can qualify to complete a credit-bearing internship (NRES 381) over the summer

• Knowledge and experience in facilitating environmental education programming and developing valuable leadership skills

Requirements:

• 18 years of age or older

• Must successfully pass a background and reference check, conducted by UW-Stevens Point

• CPR, AED, and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain certification prior to employment

• Must maintain effective, appropriate, and sustained mental, emotional, and social interaction while working in the camp's youth-centered and dynamic environment

• Must adapt to changing needs/environment, independent problem solving, and clear communication with campers/staff/community members

• Must live on-site at CWES and work a flexible schedule with long hours

Qualifications: Training, experience or significant interest in…

• Natural resources/outdoor skills

• Delivering educational programs

• Working with youth and people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with summer camp programming

• Familiarity with Wisconsin natural resources

• Wisconsin Boater Safety certification

• Lifeguard certification (strongly preferred but not required, higher pay for lifeguard-certified)

Application Information:

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews will be conducted as applications are received.

Employment Contact:

Please email your application to: cwes@uwsp.edu

CWES Phone: 715-346-2937

Key Job Responsibilities:

Special Notes:

Through the discovery and dissemination of knowledge, UW-Stevens Point stimulates intellectual growth, provides a liberal education, and prepares students for a diverse sustainable world. The university is committed to creating a safe, inclusive learning community for all faculty and staff from a variety of backgrounds. Visit https://www.uwsp.edu/join-uw-stevens-point/ for more information about UW-Stevens Point. To learn about the Stevens Point (aka Point) area fun, jobs, housing, education, quality of life, and bragging rights, visit www.stevenspointarea.com.

Individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact Human Resources and Affirmative Action at 715-346-2606 or hr@uwsp.edu.

The safety and success of students, faculty, and staff at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is paramount. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires the distribution of an annual security report to all current and prospective students, faculty, and staff. You may obtain the complete report at https://www3.uwsp.edu/protsv/Pages/Clery.aspx

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

An offer of employment will require a criminal background check and authorization to work within the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.