Seasonal Educator/Lead Summer Camp Counselor

About Audubon

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet's health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Position Summary:

The Sharon Audubon Center is located in the small rural town of Sharon, located in the Northwest corner of Connecticut. It is home to approximately 1200 acres of land with several miles of hiking trails through various forest, field, and wetland habitats. Aside from trails, visitors can explore the Nature Center and outdoor bird aviaries, both featuring live education animal ambassadors such as snakes, turtles, and various species of birds of prey, corvids, waterfowl, and more. A variety of school and public programs are offered throughout the year, as well as a popular summer camp in the summer months. Summer Camp sessions are weeklong day camps for children ranging in age from PreK up through high school. These camp sessions are held outdoors and focus on teaching about bird conservation through discovery hikes, pond explorations, live animal programs, nature crafts and games, and more.

The Seasonal Educator/Lead Summer Camp Counselor will be responsible for safely executing and helping oversee Sharon Audubon Center's Summer Nature Programs for children in K-6th grade. Along with the essential functions listed below, the ideal candidate will be acting Assistant Camp Director and overseeing regular day to day camp programs including but not limited to resolving any minor daily issues and running camp debriefs with camp staff, setting up and cleaning up each day's camp activities, planning and executing each weeklong camp session and making sure other camp staff are prepared for each day.

The Lead Summer Camp Counselor will be needed approximately 17 weeks over the course of the spring and summer Monday through Friday, for 7-8 hours per day. For the first 7 weeks, counselors may work a Tuesday-Saturday, 9-5 schedule.

Housing accommodation can be provided if required by .

• Length of Assignment: 5/5/26-8/21/26

• Hours: 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week

This position is classified as on-site at Sharon Audubon Center in Sharon, CT.

Only applications submitted with a cover letter will be considered.

Compensation:

$21.00 - $22.00 / hour

Additional Job Description

Essential Functions

Spring:

• Assisting with and teaching various education programs both on-site and as outreach for groups such as school students, scouts, general public, etc., while following all Audubon, OEC, and CDC guidelines, as described below.

• Assisting with greeting visitors, helping with purchases in the Nature Store, and other aspects of running a nature center.

• Working on writing summer camp curriculum, preparing materials needed for lessons, creating craft templates, and general preparation for the summer camp season.

• Assist with the training of remaining seasonal camp staff once onboarded, and familiarizing them with summer camp procedures, curriculum, and protocols.

Summer:

• Acting as assistant Camp Director and overseeing regular day to day camp programs, resolving any minor daily issues and running camp debriefs with camp staff.

• Setting up and cleaning up each day's camp activities, planning and executing each weeklong camp session for their individual small group of campers, including teaching discovery hikes, pond explorations, live animal programs, nature crafts and games, and making sure other camp staff are prepared for each day as well.

• Maintain the safety of all campers during their time at Audubon Camp.

• Maintain positive working relationships with summer campers and their parents and/or guardians, as well as SAC full time and seasonal staff, and volunteers.

• Helping with other aspects of a nature center, such as contacting camp parents by phone or email, photocopying, or more.

• Use of basic office equipment may be used such as a photocopier, telephones, digital camera and simple outdoor recreational equipment, such as pond nets, compasses, etc.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Completion of at least two years of college coursework in environmental or life sciences is preferred.

• Must be at least 21 years or older.

• Some teaching experience and/or curriculum development is necessary, and environmental education experience preferred. Summer camp leadership experience also preferred.

• Must be confident in leading a group and initiating activities, and be aware of SAC safety procedures and the ability to enforce those safety precautions.

• Ability to work independently and in a team setting.

• Comfortable and confident in overseeing seasonal camp staff and resolving minor issues that may arise among seasonal staff or campers/parents.

• Strong work ethic, natural history background, self-motivation, on-going enthusiasm, attention to detail, commitment, flexibility, ability to work with sound judgment under pressure in changing situations, a desire to learn, excellent time management, and the ability to work well with others and with children.

• Willingness to work in unfavorable weather conditions and able to carry out simple assigned tasks with minimal supervision.

• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation to the Audubon Center.

• Must have the ability to traverse all major trails of the Sharon Audubon Center and on uneven terrain with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Able to carry out required activities, such as, remaining stationary, traversing, and occasional lifting, for varying lengths of time, with or without reasonable accommodation.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.

Accessibility Statement

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.