Summer Camp Counselor

Location
Museum of Life and Science

About the Organization
The Museum of Life and Science, one of North Carolina's top family destinations, has been a beloved Durham institution for 75 years. The Museum features 84 acres of exhibits, experiences, and outdoor exploration, including one of the East Coast's largest butterfly conservatories and a two-story science center. As an accredited zoo, the Museum is home to lemurs, black bears, endangered red wolves, and more than 140 species of live animals, butterflies, and insects. Readers of Durham Magazine, Indy Week, and Carolina Parent have repeatedly named us the top Museum in the Triangle. Charity Navigator rated the Museum, a 501(c3) nonprofit organization, 100 out of 100-- the highest possible score.

Our mission is to create a place of lifelong learning where people of all ages embrace science as a way of knowing about themselves, their community, and their world. The Museum serves our increasingly diverse community with interactive and accessible experiences that build and develop lifelong connections with science, nature, and critical thinking. The Museum partners with NASA, NOAA, the National Science Foundation, Duke University, NC State University, and the University of North Carolina on many research projects and programs.

In addition to an incredible team of co-workers, the Museum provides competitive compensation commensurate with experience, as well as a full array of employee benefits for eligible positions, including a generous 403b retirement plan with employer contributions, health, dental, and vision insurance, flex-spending plans, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, nine paid annual holidays, employee appreciation events, and a family membership to the Museum.

Full-Time/Part-Time
Seasonal

Exempt/Non-Exempt
Non-Exempt

Description

Position Objective: Counselors work closely with Camp Educators to help deliver a fun, safe, and engaging summer camp experience for PreK-8th grade children. Counselors are responsible for fostering positive relationships with campers by leading community building games and activities, facilitating extended care programs, and monitoring the wellbeing of campers while in their care.

Responsibilities:

• Work together with a Camp Educator and volunteer to provide hands-on, informal science learning activities for campers
  • Topics including nature discovery, tinkering, space, and animal behavior/care
  • Help to prepare and present pre-developed programs of science activities to groups of up to 18 children.
  • Research, develop and lead campers in informal group games, songs and skits.
• Set up and facilitate afternoon extended care program activities
  • Clean up the classroom after the camp day
  • Monitor extended care program supplies and communicate needs
• Work together with a Camp Educator and volunteer to maintain safety and well-being for up to 18 campers at a time.
  • Traveling to and from the camp space and other campus locations
  • Actively contribute and build a camp community that is inclusive, supportive, and fun for all program participants
  • Be aware of and implement Museum policies
  • Communicate issues to Camp Educators and camp leadership in a timely manner
• Assist in general classroom and materials management
  • Assist in setting up activities and classroom cleaning throughout the camp day
  • Demonstrate compassion and empathy while utilizing positive behavior techniques to ensure campers with diverse needs and backgrounds follow safety and community guidelines
  • Participate in regular program evaluations and self-assessments
• Attend scheduled staff meetings and trainings
  • Participate in daily team meetings with Educators to review the day's activities, discuss group management plans, address emergent issues
  • Trainings
    • Virtual Trainings - 2 weekdays a week throughout May
    • General Camp Orientation - May 17 - 18
    • Topic Trainings - evenings late May - early June
    • Camp Curiosity Orientation - June 21
    • Review written training materials
• Mid-Summer evaluation materials
• Represent the Museum in a professional manner during interactions and while out on the Museum floor
• Additional job related duties as assigned

Actual Pay Rate: $15.00/hour

Position Requirements

Qualifications:

• High school degree, GED equivalent, or previous work experience
• Experience working with children.
• Candidate must be able to spend the day actively engaging groups of up to 18 campers.
• Ability to build a positive and inclusive camp community.
• Knowledge of or ability to develop fun, informal group games and activities for groups of up to 18 campers.
• Focus on physical and emotional safety and well-being.
• Motivation and desire to encourage and model critical thinking and scientific discovery.
• Ability to work well with others.
• Ability to work well under pressure with a positive attitude and creative problem-solving skills.
• Availability to work a minimum of 5 weeks of summer consisting of 13 weeks between May 26 - August 22
• Must be able to be on their feet for up to 6 hours at a time, walk distances of up to one mile over varying terrains, and be able to lift 25 pounds.
• Ability to work outside in heat and humidity; some camps occur in an outdoor classroom and many camps spend time outdoors

Desired:

• Bi-lingual Proficiency
• Demonstrated interest and background in natural sciences and/or technology
• Experience working with youth from different backgrounds and abilities
• Experience working in a day or overnight camp
• Photography

For technology-based camps:

• Programming in Javascript
• Game Modding
• Robotics building and programming including LEGO Robotics platforms

Important Note . . . Camp Staff do not have to work the entire summer schedule, but will be asked to work a minimum of 5 weeks. Applicants will be asked to detail their summer availability during the interview process, and preference will be given to those able to work more weeks. First time staff are expected to work the week of June 30- July 4 (Camp is held on July 4).

Shift
Days

Pay Range
$15.00/hour

EOE Statement
The Museum of Life and Science is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, military or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, we will provide reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, perform crucial job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. As an equal opportunity employer, we value the differences and benefits that a diverse culture brings. Join us

Category
Education

This position is currently accepting applications.

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