Job Summary:
The Upham Woods Seasonal Outdoor Educators are the primary programmatic personnel for Upham Woods in the summer season. In that regard, this position is responsible for teaching programming and recreational activities for user groups, interacting with 4-H Youth educators and adult volunteers, other group leaders, and care for programmatic, outpost and recreational equipment, which includes the science center animals. All of the above is to be done with a focus on customer service and effective educational methods in a safe environment.
RESPONSIBILITES:
Education
- Teach environmental education and outdoor recreation programming to school and community groups and facilitate public/community outreach both on and off-site to groups ranging in size from 20-150 participants. A list of common programs is available here: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/uphamwoods/home-page/programs/
- Collaborate with team members to identify and manage risk in the outdoors.
Community Engagement
- Serve as liaison (main point of contact) for visiting groups including on call status*
- Facilitate meal service with dining hall staff
- Reporting and record keeping of participant demographics, goals, and outcomes to comply with federal requirements and billing.
Conservation
- Support conservation projects by preparing necessary tools, safety equipment, and project materials for use on conservation project days.
- Under supervision of the Facility and Operations Manager, hike and perform trail work related tasks such as trail repair, new trail construction, and trail reroutes.
- Complete facility maintenance projects including painting and minor cleaning, as needed.
Housing
- Lodging is available while working at Upham Woods in our staff duplex. Bedroom assignments can be an individual or shared, shared bathroom, and shared common areas (kitchen, living room, laundry facilities).
*On call status refers to liaison duties extending overnight, where a provided cell phone is left on in case of emergency contact from the visiting group.
- This position has the possibility to start May 19, 2025, or May 27, 2025.
Responsibilities:
Assists with a variety of responsibilities throughout different job groups and positions across the university.
- 70% Provides assistance for units as requested, such as wiping down tables, filing, copying, sorting, and delivering mail
- 25% Performs the typical duties as required by each position according to what is needed
- 5% Acts in compliance with the standards of their job, represents the university in a positive manner, and completes the assigned tasks that are aligned to their role
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion
Education:
Required
H.S. Diploma
Qualifications:
Required:
- Ability to work in a team setting with enthusiasm and creativity, and the ability to work independently.
- The desire to teach user groups ranging in size from 20-150 participants.
- Familiarity with outdoor adventure pursuits and their associated equipment, such as camping, canoeing, archery, etc.
- A general understanding of the field of environmental education, natural resources, education and youth development.
- Ability to work flexible hours any day of the week including some evening hours
- Ability to occasionally lift and carry 35 pounds.
- Ability to hike several miles on uneven terrain including trails and stairs in a wide variety of temperatures and environmental conditions.
Preferred:
- Coursework toward or a bachelor's degree in education, natural science, biology, environmental education or a related field
- Lifeguarding certification or ability to obtain before start of employment with certification active through August 2025. Required to lead Canoeing, Outpost, Swimming, and Blackhawk Island Hikes.
- Professional certifications in any of the activities which we commonly offer, such as licensed teacher, archery, low element challenge course, canoeing, etc.
- Ability to take responsibility for one of the specialization areas. Specialization areas include, but are not limited to: program animals, challenge course, technology, marketing and social media, and facility improvement.
Work Schedule:
Anticipated work of 30-40 hours per week when required by programming. Minimum hours per week is expected to be 20 hours; primarily on weeks with legal holidays. Camp is open 7 days per week.
Work Type:
It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration:
Terminal appointment.
This position has the possibility to be extended based on need and/or funding.
Salary:
Minimum $16.50 HOURLY
Depending on Qualifications
Base pay of $16.50 per hour for new outdoor educators; those returning to Upham Woods or coming from another ACA accredited camp may receive a higher pay. A pay rate bump is also given for those who will be starting with a valid (through entire season) first aid or lifeguard certification per the numbers below. This position will also be eligible for standby pay of $2.25/hour when on call and a pay differential of $0.80/hour for all hours worked from 6pm-6am or hours worked on Saturdays and Sundays. Anticipated work of 30-40 hours per week when required by programming. Minimum hours per week is expected to be 20 hours; primarily on weeks with legal holidays.
-$0.50/hr increase for 2nd year at Upham Woods
-Additional $0.50/hr increase for 3rd year return
-Additional $0.50/hr increase for 4th year (final increase)
-Additional $0.25/hr for first aid certification prior to start date (must be active throughout entire camp season, cannot be combined with lifeguard certification)
-Additional $0.75/hr for lifeguard certification prior to start date (must be active throughout entire camp season)
-Additional $0.25/hr for previous work experience at another camp (minimum 2 months)
Additional Information:
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
How to Apply:
We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. To begin the application process, click the "apply now" button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:
-Resume
-Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)
Please submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background. Your cover letter should communicate your interest in the position and how your skillset aligns with the role. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews.
Contact:
Molly Bodde
molly.bodde@wisc.edu
608-254-5744
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Assistant(AD033)
Department(s):
A47-EXTENSION/ANRCD/NR/UPM/UPHAM WOOD LC
Employment Class:
Temporary Employment
Job Number:
307676-CL
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings,
click hereIf you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website:
https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
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