Opportunities

 

Program:
Riverbend believes that amazing things happen when a child spends time in nature.

Studies show that when kids spend time in nature they:

• Think more creatively and critically
• Are more social and less likely to be bullied or experience bullying
• Feel less stressed, allowing their emotional development to flourish
• Increase their fitness level and distance vision.

Riverbend is seeking self-motivated, energetic, and passionate educators to be a part of the staff of Riverbend’s Summer Exploration Day Camp.  Each week children come to our 30-acre Gladwyne site for outdoor hands-on exploration and discovery.  The atmosphere is friendly and child-centered. Curriculum is interpreted and delivered by professional staff with a strong emphasis on exploring and expanding children’s interests and stimulating investigation. Groups are generally 12-14 children and are led by a lead educator and supported by an assistant educator.

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: The safety of our employees is our number one concern. All Riverbend staff are required to be fully vaccinated, and show proof of vaccination status. Boosters are strongly preferred. 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.

 

Assistant Camp Counselor

Assistant Camp counselors are responsible for working with a lead counselor to create a positive camp experience for a group of campers each week. This includes mentoring teen volunteers, implementing activities for the campers, and behavior and safety management.

Dates: June 6th – September 2nd (No Camp the week of July 4th); Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm (some evenings required), Also seeking part-time position: 22 hrs/wk

Compensation: $13 - 14 per hour

Responsibilities:

• Working with a Lead Counselor, assistants will help facilitate outdoor, environmental education activities and experiences for campers.  Assistants will be expected to independently facilitate some activities each week.
• Work with a team to adapt activities as necessary for camper age, interest and outdoor conditions.
• Support Lead Counselors with behavioral and group management.
• Take lead responsibility for campers in the event that the lead counselor must step away from the group or is absent.
•  Mentor teen volunteers assigned to the camp group.
• General upkeep of the facility each day.
• Assist with animal care for Riverbend’s animal collection and aquaponics greenhouse as needed.
• Assist with after care and cook out for campers as needed.
• Accompany lead counselors on offsite field trips to provide support for campers as needed.

Qualifications:

• Successful completion of pre-employment screening including criminal background check, FBI fingerprint check, and Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance.
• Interest in Environmental Education, Biology, Ecology or other related field
• Some experience educating and managing children formally or informally is encouraged
• Strong oral communication skills
• Ability to work a flexible schedule which will include early mornings, late afternoons and occasional overnights.
• Ability to follow all COVID-19 safety procedures
• Passionate about Riverbend’s mission

Physical and Medical Standards

• Ability to work actively outdoors during the hot summer months and in all weather conditions.
• Ability to work independently and in groups
• No allergy to plants, animals or chemicals that may be used on the job that may interfere with ability to perform work.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, and load 40 lbs at a distance of 50 ft.
• No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance or agility of movement (which cannot be corrected with appropriate devices) that may interfere with ability to perform work.

To apply:

Please email resume, cover letter and a list of three references to: Julia Boyer, Camp Manager. No phone calls please. 

 

 

Lead Camp Counselor

Lead Camp counselors are responsible for creating a positive camp experience for a group of campers each week. This includes mentoring their counselor team, planning and implementing activities for the campers, and behavior and safety management.

Dates: June 6th – September 2nd (No Camp the week of July 4th); Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm (some evenings required)

Compensation: $15 - 16 per hour

Responsibilities:

• Create new curriculum, or interpret existing curriculum, and amend it to be age appropriate lesson plans each day. Educators are encouraged to collaborate in this process.
• Supervise a group of approximately 12-14 campers for whom they have primary responsibility with an Assistant Counselor. Duties include group management, ensuring camper safety, implementing lesson plans.
• Mentor the assistant counselor and teen volunteers assigned to the camp group.
• General upkeep of the facility each day will be expected.
• Take campers off site for field trips as needed.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of pre-employment screening including criminal background check, FBI fingerprint check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and driving records.
• Experience in Education, Biology, Geology, Outdoor Recreation, or related field.
• Understanding of basic principles of environmental education
• 1-2 yrs experience educating and managing groups of children in a professional setting.
• Strong oral communication skills
• Ability to work a flexible schedule which will include early mornings, late afternoons and occasional overnights.
• Residential or travel camp experience preferred.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle with either a standard or automatic transmission preferred.
• Ability to follow all COVID-19 safety procedures
• Passionate about Riverbend’s mission.

Physical and Medical Standards

• Ability to work actively outdoors during the hot summer months and in all weather conditions.
• Ability to work independently and in groups
• No allergy to plants, animals or chemicals that may be used on the job that may interfere with ability to perform work.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, and load 40 lbs at a distance of 50 ft.
• No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance or agility of movement (which cannot be corrected with appropriate devices) that may interfere with ability to perform work.

To apply:

Please email resume, cover letter and a list of three references to: Julia Boyer, Camp Manager. No phone calls please. 

 

 

Summer Camp Assistant Coordinator

The Assistant Camp Coordinator is responsible for supporting the management and facilitation of Riverbend’s Summer Camp program to meet the mission, vision and strategic goals of Riverbend Environmental Education Center.  This includes mentoring of camp staff and volunteers, communication with parents, leading camp groups, ensuring camper safety, and troubleshooting logistics.

Dates: May 30th – September 9th (No camp the week of July 4th);

Monday – Friday,10am – 6:00pm; Thursday, 12pm-8:00pm (some evenings and overnights required)

Compensation: $20 per hour

Key Responsibilities:

• Assists with implementation of Summer Camp, including mentoring of staff and volunteers, and communication with camp parents.
• Lead extended care including scheduling and implementation of content.
• Maintain supply inventory and educational kits for camp.
• Lead Thursday evening campfire program.
• Communicate effectively with camp parents.
• Teach onsite and offsite education program as needed. 
• Perform animal husbandry and habitat maintenance as needed to support the animal ambassador, aquaponics and field trip programs.
• Other duties as needed to ensure the success and sustainability of Riverbend Environmental Education Center.

Qualifications and Skills

• Experience in Environmental Education, Biology, Ecology or other related field
• Minimum 1 year of experience in teaching, professional educational program development and management
• 2 years of professional camp experience preferred.
• 1-2 years of leadership or management experience preferred.
• Experience teaching using informal education strategies like inquiry based, place based, project based, and experiential learning.
• Experience working with audiences from various age groups, backgrounds, and cultures.
• Exceptional communication skills and relationship building skills.
• Creative and innovative thinker
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, Google platforms and other educational technology.
• Solutions oriented problem solver.  Strong decision making skills and ability to work independently.
• Passionate about Riverbend’s mission

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Work will be split between an office environment in a renovated barn and outdoors in natural areas on Riverbend’s property and other nature preserves.      
• Manage and teach programs outdoors in all conditions.
• Regularly will need to walk trails with lots of hills and uneven ground.
• Regularly will need to work with live animals including insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish.
• No allergies to plants or animals that may interfere with the ability to perform the job.
• Ability to safely lift and carry 50 lbs. for a distance of 25 ft.
• No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance, and agility of movement (which cannot be corrected with appropriate device) which may interfere with the ability to perform work.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle with either a standard or automatic transmission.
• Ability to maintain focus under pressure and make adjustments to accommodate program and client needs.
• Ability to follow all COVID-19 safety procedures
• Passionate about Riverbend’s mission.

Additional Requirements

Successful completion of a post-offer background check, including criminal, driving records and ability to obtain PA Child Abuse History Clearance and FBI Fingerprinting.

To apply:

Please email resume, cover letter and a list of three references to: Julia Boyer, Camp Manager. No phone calls please. 

 

EIT: Educators-In-Training

Dates:

• A minimum of 3 weeks between June 13th – September 2nd; Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm
  • Weeks must be scheduled prior to the start of the summer and do not need to be consecutive
• Mandatory EIT Training June 4th, 2022 10:00-2:00

Program:

Riverbend believes that amazing things happen when a child spends time in nature.

Studies show that when kids spend time in nature they:

• Think more creatively and critically
• Are more social and less likely to be bullied or experience bullying
• Feel less stressed, allowing their emotional development to flourish
• Increase their fitness level and distance vision.

Riverbend is looking for energetic and motivated students between the ages of 16 and 18, to assist with our summer camp program and have a positive impact on the lives and education of younger children. Educators-In-Training will spend their time assisting professional educators and assistant educators with group management, daily activities, modeling of appropriate behavior, and providing nurturing support of campers. In addition, EITs will get to participate in activities with the children, including games, nature exploration, field trips, and more. EITs work primarily with our youngest campers and are a vital part to the success of the program.

Pre-requisites:

• 25 hours of cumulative experience working with children in a camp program, babysitting, community experience, or similar experience.
• Experience working with multiple age groups of children.
• An excitement for the great outdoors and a passion for sharing it with children.

Responsibilities: 

EIT’s perform a vital role in Riverbend's summer camp program.  Depending on the EIT’s time and growth in the position there will be potential for increased responsibilities throughout the summer including but not limited to check in and check out, leading a program, and planning and implementing lessons.

Basic duties include:

• Assisting camp staff with assigned tasks that help with the general management of educational groups, primarily for children 3-6 years of age.
• Providing a role model for the younger children on the appropriate ways to behave at camp and how to successfully explore the natural world.
• Assisting with the leading of Circle Time.
• Assisting with implementation of lesson plans and activities.
• Assisting with the clean-up of education spaces, including picnic areas, outdoor classroom, supply room and others.
• Assisting with camper lunch.

Qualifications:

• Successful completion of pre-employment screening including Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and criminal background check.
• Ability to work actively outdoors during the hot summer months and in all weather conditions.
• No allergy to plants, animals or chemicals that may be used on the job that may interfere with ability to perform work.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, and load 40 lbs at a distance of 50 ft.
• No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance or agility of movement (which cannot be corrected with appropriate devices) that may interfere with ability to perform work.
• Ability to follow all COVID-19 safety procedures
• EITs are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19

To apply:

Please email fill out and send this application to: Julia Boyer, Camp Manager. No phone calls please. 

Thank you so much for considering joining Riverbend’s growing summer camp community! By taking part in our EIT program, you will build your resume, gain valuable leadership experience, meet new people, and have a fantastic summer outdoors!