The PositionPortland Parks & Recreation invites applications for Nature Day Camp Educators, Team Leads, Junior Educator Leads, After-Care Lead and Site Coordinators! This is an ongoing recruitment to fill positions starting in June. Applicants are encouraged to apply early! Eligible applicants may be contacted for interviews as early as March.
About the Nature Day Camp Program Portland Parks & Recreation's Nature Day Camp offers eight weeks of outdoor summer camps at five urban parks in Portland. Camps have a nature theme and offer an opportunity for educators to lead groups of children ages 5-12 and mentor teens ages 13-17.
A Day at Nature Day Camp... Campers and educators spend the entire day outside in small groups exploring the park. Each day at camp may be different: some days are spent sharing stories, singing songs, and playing games in nature. Other days may include group rotations, making crafts, and other hands-on activities.
Camp Locations and Times Each week, camp takes place at two outdoor locations from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm. Extended drop-off is from 8:30 - 9:00 am, and optional After-Care is from 3:30 - 5:30 pm. Over the eight weeks of camp, staff could be assigned to
any or all of these outdoor locations and will need to find their own transportation to get there. Each of these parks can be reached by public transportation.
- Mt Tabor Park (SE Portland)
- Hoyt Arboretum (SW Portland)
- Sellwood Park/Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge (SE Portland)
- Powell Butte Nature Park (Outer SE Portland)
- Pier Park (N Portland)
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL POSITIONS Ability to work outside in local parks and natural areas full-time in all types of weather conditions. You will encounter members of the public and other park users. Must be physically and mentally able to walk, hike, stand, balance, bend, reach, lift, or carry loads up to 25 pounds. Must be able to hike up to three miles on uneven and hilly terrain and be able to tolerate loud noises such as those from overhead planes, leaf blowers, or enthusiastic participants. Must be willing to use public restrooms and portable toilets. May encounter off-leash animals.
Staff must be comfortable working to reduce risks during the camp day and respond to emergencies if needed.
Staff are required to follow COVID-protocols which could change throughout the summer.
Five positions are available with specific areas of focus: Nature Day Camp Educator II ($17.25 - $18.25 per hour) - Create safe spaces for campers to explore and observe the natural world.
- Collaborate with Team Leads to lead organized activities and promote nature play.
- Communicate with parents/guardians and work together to solve problems as needed.
- Teach and lead groups using various teaching methods.
- Use creative techniques to help campers transition between activities.
- Act as role models and mentors for Educator I's and Junior Educator Participants.
Nature Day Camp Team Lead ($19.25 - $20.25 per hour) - Mentor a small team of educators and their camp groups.
- Plan, organize, and lead nature-themed activities, crafts, and rotations with other staff.
- Help educators with camper check-in and check-out process each day.
- Lead and assist with daily staff meetings and evaluations.
- Communicate any issues to staff, campers, and families as needed each day.
- Coordinate staff break schedules and transition between groups effectively.
- Fill in for educators who are unable to work because of illness or injury.
- Act as role models and mentors for Junior Educator Participants.
Nature Day Camp Junior Educator Lead ($19.25 - $20.25 per hour) - Oversee Junior Educator program: lead and support teens who participate as volunteers in two weeks of Nature Day Camp.
- Mentor teens while they gain job skills as educators.
- Plan and facilitate Junior Educator orientation days.
- Organize and lead nature-themed activities with other staff.
- Ensure Junior Educators are checked in and out of Camp and understand their role each day.
- Provide written and verbal feedback to support growth and skill development.
After-Care Lead ($21.25 - $22.25 per hour) - Oversee all logistics and flow of After-care program
- Check campers in and out of After-care
- Collaborate with other staff to plan activities
- Ensure campers are provided with a snack that meets dietary or allergy needs
- Transport After-care supplies and equipment to and from locations. You will need access to a personal vehicle and may need to take some supplies home each day. There is reimbursement for mileage.
- Communicate with families to resolve registration or behavioral challenges as needed
- Support day camp staff with daily needs: help bring supplies and assist with breaks .
Site Coordinator ($21.25 - $22.25 per hour) - Support and oversee camp flow: lead daily meetings, help plan activities, assist with staff lunches and breaks
- Collaborate with staff to develop and conduct crafts, rotations, activities, and staff evaluations
- Transport camp supplies and equipment to and from work locations: you will need access to a personal vehicle, you may need to take some supplies home each day. There is reimbursement for mileage.
- Work with the Nature Day Camp Coordinator to plan and organize six days of all-staff training
- Coordinate onsite paperwork: attendance, timesheets, health or accident reports, or other administrative tasks
- Problem-solving various issues at camp, recognize when to ask for help from other Coordinators, Supervisor, and fellow staff
- Communicate with families to resolve registration or behavioral challenges as needed
Age Requirements:
For Educator II's: Must be at least 18 years old by June 1, 2023.
For Team Leads, Site Coordinators, After-Care Leads, and Junior Educator Lead: Applicants must be at least 21 years old by June 21, 2023.
Dates of Employment: For Educator II and After Care Leads: June 16 - August 19, 2023
For Team Leads, Junior Educator Lead, and Site Coordinators: Approximately June 6 - August 19, 2023
Working Times:
For Educator I's, Educator II's, Team Leads, Junior Educator Lead, Site Coordinators:
Monday - Friday,
8:00 am - 4:00 pm, includes a 30-minute paid lunch.
For After-Care Leads ONLY:
Monday - Friday, 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm, includes a 30-minute paid lunch.
These are part-time positions, not to exceed 1400 hours in a calendar year.
These positions are not eligible for benefits.
About Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau: Portland Parks & Recreation values a diverse workforce and seeks to promote equity and inclusion. Environmental Education programs serve children and youth from a broad range of backgrounds. Although not required, we encourage applications from individuals with diverse racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds including the Black, Indigenous, Latino/a/e/x, Asian, Pacific Islander, Multiracial, LGBTQ2SIA+ or disability community.
City of Portland Core Values: Anti-racism | Communication | Collaboration | Equity | Transparency | Fiscal Responsibility These are the values that guide our actions as we serve the community and engage our workforce. To learn more about the City's core values, please click
here .
Why work at the City of Portland? The City of Portland serves a population of over 650,000. Culture and solutions are our focus. We view every challenge as an opportunity to learn, improve, and share our experience. We are committed to removing barriers to resources, access, and opportunity.
The City is a believer in
all people and continues to actively recruit and retain diverse top talent every day. If you are open-minded, interested, community-focused, and self-aware, please apply yourself at the City of Portland today.
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
As of October 18, 2021, all City employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This is required for all positions at the City of Portland. Proof of being fully vaccinated is required by date of hire. You may request an exception , for health or religious reasons, from getting the COVID-19 vaccine at the time a position is offered.
To Qualify The following minimum qualifications are required for this position: - Ability to work at an organization related to nature, science, or outdoor education
- For Site Coordinators: Ability to coordinate logistics for a large program and lead a large group of people
- Experience teaching, mentoring, and leading with people from diverse backgrounds related to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, economic situation, religion, and ability
- Ability to build relationships, solve conflicts, a collaborate with a team
- Ability to get to work in different parts of the city throughout the summer by car, carpool, foot, bike, or public transit. (This year's camps will be at Mt Tabor Park, Powell Butte Nature Park, Hoyt Arboretum, Sellwood Park, and Pier Park).
Applicants must also: - Possess a Valid Driver's License with at least five years of driving experience, access to a car, and a clean driving record (due within 30 days of hire) (For Site Coordinators and After Care Leads)
- For Educator II's: Must be at least 18 years old by June 1, 2023.
- For Team Leads, Site Coordinators, After-Care Leads, and Junior Educator Lead: Applicants must be at least 21 years old by June 21, 2023.
- Be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per City/State mandate or have an approved exception by date of hire.
Preferred Qualifications: Please note, these are not required, but will be helpful:
- Speak one of the following languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Somali, Chinese, or Russian.
- We encourage alumni of Portland Parks and Recreation's Environmental Education Programs to apply for educator positions!
Studies have shown that women and People of Color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your life experiences and qualifications for the role. Representation matters!
The Recruitment Process Applicants must submit the following to be considered: - Resume
- Answers to the Supplemental Questions
Resume: Your resume should clearly detail any work experience (paid, intern, or volunteer), formal education, training, or lived experience that pertain to this position,
Supplemental Questions: Please answer all required questions. Please keep answers to 150-300 words in length.
Your resume and answers to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position.
Please note, applications for this position must be turned in no later than the
closing date and time of this recruitment. Applications must be turned in through the City's online application system. Do not attach materials not listed. E-mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. Additional Information Work Status: Must be a US Citizen or have documents that allow you to work within the US at the time of application.
Veterans' Preference: If you want to ask for Veterans' Preference, please add the following to your application:
- Add a copy of your veteran document (DD214 or Veteran's Benefit Letter)
- Check the box that you are a Veteran
- Check the box asking for veteran preference
ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Request: If you would like to request a reasonable change when applying for this job, please contact the Recruiter below.
Equal Employment: No person will be looked at as unfavorable based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. The City values diversity and wants everyone who is interested in working at the City to apply.
Language Pay Differential Employees who speak one or more languages in addition to English and who use their language skill to assist the community, may receive additional pay. More about the process can be found
here. Did you know? We have How to Apply Classes that are free on how to apply to the City. Click the link for the list of dates:
https://www.portland.gov/bhr/career-center/applying-city-jobs Contact Information
Jaclyn Snyder, Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
Jaclyn.Snyder@portlandoregon.gov An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer Closing Date/Time: 4/3/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
