Position: Nature Program Area Leader
Reports to: Camp Director
Classification: Non-Exempt
WC Class:
General Description:
The nature program area leader is responsible for preparing and implementing educational and recreational programs for the blind and visually impaired children and adults. He/she will coordinate and oversee all camp nature/outdoor education.
Examples of Activities include:
- Hiking
- Gardening
- Ecology
- Nature crafts
- Veeder hike
- Overnight camp outs
- Outdoor cooking
- Native American Culture
- Plants and animals
- Science experiments
- New games
Qualifications:
- 18 years of age
- Some college preferred
- Certification or training in nature/outdoor education and recreation fields
- Minimum of one year in and educational setting
- Experience working with persons who are blind/visually impaired or disabled preferred
- Experience supervising support staff preferred
- Knowledge of the rehabilitation process for persons who are disabled preferred
- Knowledge of natural history, biology, ecology, and related fields
- Current First Aid and CPR certifications
- Knowledge of Braille and/or sign language preferred
Examples of Duties:
- Develop and deliver a nature program that is appropriate for the age and ability of the campers and utilizes the camp’s natural environment
- Teach/lead classes and activities on the subject of nature and outdoor education
- Schedule a minimum of three classes for each session
- Schedule teaching assistants from available counselors and volunteers
- Evaluate the success of the nature programs and activities
- Ensure that camp staff and campers know and follow safety and educational procedures
- Train staff in their responsibilities in the nature areas
- Ensure campers and staff follow safety procedures
- Manage the physical facilities and equipment in the nature program area
- Maintain the nature or environmental equipment
- Be responsible for observing hazards or enhancements in the natural environment and alerting other appropriate staff
- Ensure that the nature program area equipment and supplies are inventoried and steps are taken to replace them in a timely manner
- Conduct a daily check of the area and equipment for safety, cleanliness, and good repair
- Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities, planning and leading those as assigned
- Participate as a member of the camp staff team to deliver and supervise evening programs, special events, overnights, and other all-camp functions
- Assist with camper placements in classes and with living assignments when necessary
- Evaluate volunteers, counselors in training (CIT), and counselors throughout the summer
- Act as a camp counselor when necessary
- Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings
- Other duties as assigned
Physical Aspect:
- Must be willing to live on camp premises
- Must be able to lift 70 pounds
- Ability to enforce safety and emergency procedures
- Ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity
- Physical ability to respond appropriately to situation requiring first aid
- Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness or injury)
- Possess the endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers
Agency Expectations of Employees:
As employees, we should:
- Read, understand and adhere to all agency policies and procedures
- Conduct ourselves in a professional manner on and off the job, knowing that we are representatives of LightHouse
- Perform all job responsibilities
- Maintain a positive and respectful attitude toward everyone
- Communicate regularly and appropriately with our supervisors and colleagues within our own departments
- Able to effectively communicate orally and in writing
- Demonstrate efficient time management and the ability to prioritize our assignments
- Consistently report to work on time and be ready to begin performing our assigned duties and responsibilities
- Work productively
- Continue to learn and communicate a blindness-positive philosophy based on current best practices in the field
- Maintain the confidentiality of campers and staff relating to issues such as health, behaviors, and other situations that may arise
- Be culturally sensitive
Working Conditions:
LightHouse provides equal opportunity to all, regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, or sexual orientation.
All employees at LightHouse are hired for an indefinite and unspecified duration and consequently, no employee is guaranteed employment for a specified length of time. Employment is at the mutual consent of the employee and LightHouse. Accordingly, either the employee or LightHouse can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause (“employment at will”).
To apply for this position:
Please submit a cover letter and résumé as Word attachments (no .PDFs please), to mburton@lighthouse-sf.org, including the job title in the subject line. We will not consider videos or hyperlinks to online profiles. Due to time constraints, we will only respond to complete submissions in which there is serious interest; thanks for your understanding.
