Opportunities

Located in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania Riverbend fosters an awareness, appreciation and understanding of our total environment through educational programming. By growing both a love of nature and environmental literacy, we prepare informed, resilient leaders to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Education, Staff, and Intern Opportunities at Riverbend

Our mission is to connect people to nature, equitably advancing environmental literacy through outdoor STEM education and free play in nature while empowering children and adults to take action to conserve Earth's resources.

Learn more about our organizational mission, vision, and values here.

Summer Camp Administrator

The Camp Administrator is responsible for executing all administrative functions for Riverbend’s summer nature camp, as well as handling customer service for camp parents. This role works hand in hand with the Camp Manager and is supported by multiple other Riverbend staffers on site.

Dates: This is a seasonal job, starting around May 25 and continuing until approximately September 8th.

Reporting to: Executive Director (Erin Reilly)
Pay rate: Hourly, $22/hr
Benefits: 3 days PTO, plus 2 paid holidays (Juneteenth and Labor Day)
Working hours: 10:00am-6:00pm M-F
Requirements: Must be able to lift 20 pounds, traverse uneven terrain, and have a car

Duties:

Responsible for reading and responding to camp parent email every morning at 10am
Provides excellent customer service to parents
Attends 11am daily standup meeting with Executive Director and Director of Operations
Responsible for online registration platform, creating lists and rosters, tracks expenses
Helps ensure accurate weekly payroll by Riverbend’s Office Manager
Writes the Daily e-blast to counselors and weekly e-blast to parents
Uses Constant Contact template to create e-blasts
Orders and maintains inventory of camp supplies
Drive to offsite locations to drop off supplies
Take photos
Occasionally oversee a camper who needs an office break
Ensures Trailblazers counselors have rental information for weekly trips
Oversees the afternoon car line, greeting parents and checking out kids
Responsible for oversight of the aftercare counselor from 4pm-6pm daily
Other duties as assigned

Other staff who help camp:

Executive Director - ultimate oversight, sets policy, liaison to the Board of Directors
Duty Officer - every day, one member of the office staff acts as backup in case of emergency
Director of Operations - oversees safety, facility repairs, tents, professional cleaners
Habitat manager - keeps preserve functional for camp, special projects
Office Manager - does payroll for counselors and helps with purchases
Ed Team - at times, members of the Ed Team pitch in to help with animals and curriculum

Interested in applying? Please email your resume and three references to our Camp Manager, Ken Guadagnino at: camps@riverbendeec.org

Environmental Educator and Event Assistant (Part-time)

Dates: Typically 1-3 days per week; must be available for morning, afternoon, weekend, and occasional overnight hours

Salary: $20/hour, depending on experience

Job Type: Part-time

Benefits: Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person

Responsibilities:

Educators will work primarily with pre-K to 1st grade in classroom programs, school groups visiting Riverbend, and as a substitute teacher for our Caregiver and Me program. Educators will also teach a variety of ages as required.
Educators will deliver curriculum in area classrooms with live animals.
Educators will independently travel to schools through the Philadelphia School District, accounting for traffic and time to stop for supplies.
Educators will be required to implement pre-written, inquiry-based lesson plans and differentiate them as needed, based on the needs of the group
Educators’ responsibilities will include group management, crowd control, and set-up and break-down of supplies and materials used for school visits
Educators are expected to both work together as a team and function independently
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Competencies

At least one year of experience working with children in outdoor settings. Experience with early childhood preferred
Comfortable with the basic natural history of the area and the principles of inquiry-based learning
Background / interest in biology, ecology, environmental studies or education preferred
Effective classroom/group management skills
Excellent oral communication skills and the ability to project
Ability to work cooperatively with a team or individually
A cheerful, friendly demeanor
Enjoys working with children from a variety of backgrounds
Comfortable interacting with live animals, including reptiles, mammals, and insects
Reliability and flexibility
Successful completion of pre-employment screening, including drug test, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, and criminal background check.
A valid Driver’s License is preferred and the ability to travel to offsite locations
Ability to work actively outdoors in all weather conditions without correctable physical impairments that would interfere with the ability to work on the Preserve
Ability to remain on your feet, hike, and carry up to 40 lbs.

To apply, introduce yourself in an email with an attached resume and list of three references to: Julia Boyer, jboyer@riverbendeec.org.

This position is a perfect opportunity for individuals looking to build experience in the field of environmental education or for environmental professionals who are seeking a light, flexible schedule. EOE.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

Riverbend is committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Riverbend Environmental Education Center (“Riverbend”) is an equal opportunity employer and educational institution and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices.

Riverbend is committed to making employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and other-job related criteria without regard to an individual’s race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, sex assigned at birth, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition or transgender identity, gender), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, use of a guide or support animal, relationship or association with a disabled person, genetic information, military or veteran status, possession of a GED rather than a high school diploma, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law (“protected characteristics”). This policy applies to all employees with respect to their terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placement, training, promotion, and discipline, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.

COVID-19 Policy:

The safety of our employees is our number one concern. Riverbend encourages all staff members to be vaccinated. In order to limit business disruption and protect children and workers in school settings, Riverbend may require staff to undergo occasional Covid testing, at Riverbend's expense.