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.

Seasonal Summer Camp Coordinator

Dates: June 3rd – August 30; Monday – Friday, 9am – 6:00pm (some evenings and overnights required). Required to work Thursday evenings to supervise weekly camp cookout.

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 80-100 children, ages 3–13, 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. Some programs take place at other sites and include field trips, cook-outs, camp-outs, and camping trips. Groups are generally 12-14 children and are led by a lead educator and supported by an assistant educator.

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, communication with parents, leading camp groups and troubleshooting logistics.

Reports to: Manager of Education Programs and works closely with the Education Program Coordinator

Key Responsibilities:

Assists with implementation of Summer Camp, including mentoring of staff and communication with camp parents.
Lead extended care including scheduling and implementation of content.
Track camper information in Active database.
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

B.S. 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.
2 years leadership or management experience preferred.
Demonstrated 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.

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.

Must be available to work Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays including occasional holidays as needed for programming.

To apply: email resume, cover letter and list of three references to:

Rosemary Arnold, Manager of Education Programsrarnold@riverbendeec.org

Summer Day Camp Counselor

Dates: June 3rd – August 30th; Monday – Friday, 8:00 – 4:00 (some evenings and overnights required)

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.

Responsibilities:

Counselors will be required to interpret existing curriculum and amend it to be age appropriate lesson plans each day. Counselors are encouraged to collaborate in this process.
Counselors implement lesson plans with a group of approximately 12-14 campers for whom they have primary responsibility, which includes group management, chaperoning field trips, and organizing cook-outs and overnights when teaching the older groups.
Counselors and assistant counselors are expected to work together as a team and supervise any Educator-in-Training (teen volunteer) assigned to their group.
General upkeep of the facility each day will be expected with weekly chores completed on Fridays.

QualificationS

Successful completion of pre-employment screening including drug test and Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and criminal background check.
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Education, Biology, Geology, Outdoor Recreation, etc.).
Understanding of basic principles of environmental education
Knowledge of environmental/science/natural history concepts
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.
First Aid and CPR trained (will offer training option if not current)

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:

Rosemary Arnold, Manager of Education Programs rarnold@riverbendeec.org

Summer Day Camp Early Childhood Counselor

Dates: June 3rd – August 30th; Monday – Friday, 8:00 – 1:00 & 8:00 – 4:00 shifts available

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.

Responsibilities:

Early Childhood Counselors will be required to interpret existing curriculum and amend it for age-appropriate lesson plans each day. Counselors are encouraged to collaborate in this process.
Early Childhood Counselors implement lesson plans with a group of approximately 10-12 campers aged 3-5 years for whom they have primary responsibility.
Early Childhood Counselors and Assistant Counselors are expected to work together as a team and supervise any Educator-in-Training (teen volunteer) assigned to their group.
General upkeep of the facility each day will be expected with weekly chores completed on Fridays.

Qualifications

Successful completion of pre-employment screening including drug test and Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and criminal background check.
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Early Childhood Education, Biology, Geology, Outdoor Recreation, etc.).
Understanding of basic principles of environmental education with young children
Knowledge of environmental/science/natural history concepts
1-2 yrs experience successfully educating and managing groups of young children in a professional setting
Strong oral communication skills
Ability to work a flexible schedule which may include early mornings and late afternoons.
First Aid and CPR trained (will offer training option if not current)

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:

Rosemary Arnold, Manager of Education Programs rarnold@riverbendeec.org

Summer Day Camp Assistant Counselor

Dates: June 3rd –August 30th; Monday – Friday, 8:00 – 4:00 (some evenings and overnights required)

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 counselors to be a part of the staff of Riverbend’s Summer Exploration Day Camp. Each week 80-100 children, ages 3–13, 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. Some programs take place at other sites and include field trips, cook-outs, camp-outs, and camping trips. Groups are generally 12-14 children and are led by a lead counselor and supported by an assistant counselor.

Responsibilities:

Assistant counselors will work with a specific age group for the majority of the summer. Age groups will be designated based on experience and interest.
Assistant counselors will be required to assist Counselors in interpreting existing curriculum and amend it for age appropriate lesson plans each day. Assistant Counselors and Counselors are encouraged to collaborate in this process.
Assistant counselors support Counselors with behavioral and group management and implement some of the lesson plans with a group of approximately 12-14 campers for whom they have primary responsibility. This could include chaperoning field trips, and organizing cook-outs and overnights when teaching the older groups.
Assistant counselors and Counselors are expected to work together as a team and supervise any Counselor-in-Training (teen volunteer) assigned to their group.
General upkeep of the facility each day will be expected with weekly chores completed on Fridays.

Qualifications

Successful completion of pre-employment screening including drug test and Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and criminal background check.
Working towards or earned Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Education, Biology, Geology, Outdoor Recreation, etc.).
Understanding of basic principles of environmental education
Knowledge of environmental/science/natural history concepts
Some 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.
First Aid and CPR trained (will offer training option if not current)

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:

Rosemary Arnold, Manager of Education Programs rarnold@riverbendeec.org