Hitchcock Center for the Environment 845 West. St. Amherst, MA 01002

Date Posted:

July 31, 2026

Region:

Western Massachusetts Category:

Education/Instruction Type:

Full-Time

Summer and Vacation Camp Director/ Environmental Educator Description:

The Hitchcock Center for the Environment is looking for an experienced educator to be Summer and Vacation Camp Director, Lead Afterschool Educator, and School Residency Educator. We are looking for someone who is highly skilled working with youth, mentoring a team of staff, developing and leading hands-on science-based education programs, is passionate about fostering an inclusive and supportivemunity, and is interested in being a part of a collaborative team of environmental educators. Responsibilities Summer Camp and Vacation Days Director Serve as Director for February and April Vacation programs Serve as Director for Summer Camp Oversee and implement all aspects of camp programs including mission-aligned curriculum development, marketing and registration in collaboration with the staff team Work with staff to recruit, hire, train and lead a team of 6 Vacation Camp Counselors and approximately 15 Summer Camp Counselors and Counselors in Training in collaboration with the staff team Collaboratively plan and oversee the budgets for vacation week programs (Feb. and April) and summer camp; ensure appropriate spending on all aspects of camps including staff, materials, van rentals, etc. Plan, lead and delegate responsibilities for staff training and weekly summer camp meetings. anize materials for camp sessions Collaborate with Assistant Director, Registrar and Office Manager before, during and after vacation camp and summer camp programs Communicate regularly with camp families and caregivers, especially responding to concerns and mediating conflicts with professionalism Provide support, energy, motivation, and a fun and inclusivemunity for the camp staff Work with the Amherst Board of Health to achievepliance with health regulations and obtain a license to operate the camp Along with the assistant director, provide insight and perspective to counselors in regards to behavioral support and parentmunication, and stepping in when necessary Fill in for sick and absent camp counselors when a substitute cannot be secured Collaborate with assistant director to monitor and evaluate camp staff; provide feedback, program ideas, and guidance to camp staff Oversee site safety in collaboration with Office Manager Lead Afterschool Educator Plan and carry out 1-2 weekly Nature Play Afterschool programs for children ages 5-9 Ensure safety within an immersive nature environment while encouraging healthy risk-taking Mentor and direct 1-3 program assistants Participate and help lead afterschool teacher meetings and assistant trainings School Residency Educator Learn and teach the Hitchcock Center's outdoor schoolyard Take It Outside program for children and their teachers in grades K-3 in varying schools and weather conditions Coordinate and schedule 30-45 one-hour long programs with teachers and their classes throughout the school year Collaborate with Hitchcock education team to reflect upon and improve (if necessary) curriculum relevance and quality Work Schedule During the summer camp and vacation weeks, this position entails a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. During the summer, this position must be on-site five days a week and work at least 8 hours per day. Vacation time is not permitted during the summer camp season, late June through mid-August, or the school vacation weeks in February and April. During the school year, some weekend and evening hours will be required. Compensation and Benefits Salary Range (annualized): $45,000-$48,000; pay rate will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. This is a year-round, permanent position that entails 40 hours per week during summer and vacation weeks, and approximately 30 hours per week the rest of the year. The totalpensation package includes health insurance, 2 weeks vacation, 14 holidays and sick paid time off, and 50% off programs. the Hitchcock Center Founded in 1962, the Hitchcock Center for the Environment's mission is to educate and inspire action for a healthy planet. Instead of simply teaching about climate change, the Center develops hopeful, creative problem-solvers who can take on the challenges of climate change by helping them reconnect to and learn from nature's efficient systems and develop a problem-solving mindset. It provides opportunities for people of all ages to develop a relationship with nature; leads sustainable engineering and design challenges for youth; teachmunication,anization and leadership skills to teens; convenes adults for discourse and civic engagement around climate change and sustainability; and continues to broaden its reach to includemunities disproportionately impacted by climate change. The Hitchcock Center is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff and our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. We're dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and environmental education. We're alsomitted to building an inclusive workplace culture w talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental oues for all, including historically disenfranchisedmunities. We encourage you to , even if you don't meet all of our described qualifications or if you have a less traditional background.

Qualifications:

Must be at least 21 years old Up to date First Aid and CPR certification, or willingness to obtain Bachelor's degree in education, biology, environmental education, or equivalent experience Strong supervisory experience including managing and working with multiple people at a time, of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities At least three years of experience working in environmental education and outdoor programming Have a high level ofanizational abilities, written and spokenmunication skills Proven abilities in designing, writing and evaluating environmental education curricula, lesson plans and activities Deep passion for working with children andmitment to Hitchcock's mission, vision and values Working knowledge of informal and formal education theory and practice, including program development and evaluation People-oriented, have a team-focused attitude, growth mindset, and the ability to professionally represent the Hitchcock Center to the public The desire to educate diverse audiences and to ourmitment to dismantling white supremacy, and amitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work Have a positive attitude, even in the rain and extreme temperatures

Note:

Hiring is contingent upon passing a CORI background check. Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to: climb, walk uneven nature trails for at least 2 hours, be outdoors in all weather conditions, run, bend, stoop, kneel, twist, reach with hands, sit, stand for extended periods of time, walk, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, have finger dexterity, grasp, perform repetitive motions, talk, hear and have visual acuity.