Summer Camp Counselor

General Statement of Duties

To educate people of all ages and backgrounds about the ecological relationships, natural resources and items/sites of historical importance found in Cincinnati parks; to assist in protecting the ecology and habitats within the parks; and to assist in the development and implementation of nature education programs within the Cincinnati Parks.

Park and Recreation Specialist: Summer Camp Counselor

This individual will be responsible for planning and designing both indoor and educational programs. The position includes, but is not limited, to leading and teaching campers about the natural world around them. The summer program is mostly outdoors and includes playing outdoor games, creating innovative art activities with children of all ages and backgrounds.

This position may assist with maintaining a nature center, and its collections, displays and live animals, and habitat preservation projects within Cincinnati Parks.

Must be available to work Monday, June 3, 2024 – Friday August 2, 2024.

 Staff will work with campers from preschool to older elementary school age.

Must be able to pass finger printing and police background check. 

 Summer hours: 20 to 40 hours per week during the summer months with occasional evening or Saturday hours will be required. Pre-school camps require less hours; grade school camps require longer hours per week.

Position may lead to part time, year around Naturalist position with dedicated performance and knowledge. 

Minimum Qualifications (KSAs)

(Illustrative only. Any one position may not require all of the listed KSAs not do the listed examples include all the KSAs which may be required.) 

Knowledge of:

• Adequate knowledge of ecology and local cultural & natural history.
• Teaching techniques needed to be responsible for the development and implementation of outdoor education programs.
• Priority given to candidates with hands-on, natural history curriculum development experience.
• Familiarity with a variety of electronic software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ect. and social media platforms

Ability to:

• Familiarity with a variety of electronic software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ect. and social media platforms
• Communicate effectively with people of all ages, most especially children; well-developed verbal and written skills including the ability to communicate through multiple media (print, radio, TV, internet, etc.) with prior management approval.
• Work a flexible schedule that includes some weekends, evenings and holidays.
• Maintain an effective working relationship with the Nature Center staff, departmental staff and the general public.
• Work independently as well as part of a team; work with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Work with limited supervision and multitask.
• Be creative, self-motivated and a quick learner.
• Be reliable in attendance.
• Demonstrate effective use of leadership techniques and sound judgment.
• Maintain a positive, motivated work attitude; project energy and enthusiasm.
• Maintain a professional impression in appearance, language and correspondence. Under the direction of the Full-Time Park Naturalist
• Designs, assembles, and implements nature education programs. Conducts nature hikes, and presentations on ecology, biology, natural resource conservation, natural history and local history. Assists with creating program schedules and lesson plans
• Assists with assembly of program supplies and equipment. Assists with inventory, ordering and maintenance of the same.
• Assists the FT Park Naturalist in the research, development, planning and scheduling of new nature education programs. Assists in the modification of existing programs.
• Demonstrates good organizational and administrative skills. Assists the FT Park Naturalist with daily administrative tasks such as money deposits, phone calls email correspondence and processing paperwork.
• Assists in the programming at various Nature Centers, or in various Cincinnati Parks without Nature Centers, as required.
• Assists in leading activities at department special events and other outreach activities to a variety of socio-economic groups that are non-traditional users of our programs and services.
• Provides information about parks, park activities, and nature topics to park visitors and program participants. Refers visitors to an appropriate source if s/he cannot answer the question.
• Relates to customers, colleagues and supervisors in a courteous, efficient and professional manner. Provides good customer service to park visitors, callers and program participants.
• Assists in the training / development of entry level year-round staff, seasonal staff, interns and volunteers.
• Follows safety procedures and maintains a safe environment / facility for staff and visitors. Recognizes potential hazards, both environmental and situational. Assists in securing the building at the end of the work day and as needed during work hours.
• Assists in maintaining a Nature Center, its equipment and natural resources within the assigned park areas, including general cleaning of the nature center facility.
• Assists in the care and maintenance of all living animals around the center. May assist in biotic inventories of park areas.
• Participates as required in a variety of land management projects.
• Assists with the creation of various displays and exhibits related to park education.
• Works with individual volunteers or volunteer teams involved in nature education or habitat protection.
• Assists with short and long range objectives/projects and the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Assists in marketing programs onsite and offsite of their assigned Nature Center.
• Assists with solicitation of sponsorship and fundraising activities.
• Assists with developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with community groups and other partnership organizations.
• Takes advantage of opportunities to increase knowledge of Cincinnati parks, general nature/ecological information, and educational techniques.
• Performs related duties as required. From time to time, this position may be assigned special duties by management.
• Essential Functions in the absence of the Full-Time Park Naturalist:
• Answers visitor requests, needs and alerts management to any complaints.
• Performing daily administrative tasks such as money deposits, phone calls, email correspondence, processing paperwork, etc.
• Prepares monthly reports and other required documentation such as newspaper articles, program summaries, etc. if FT Park Naturalist is absent for an extended period of time.
• Attends community, special event and advisory meetings as a Nature Center liaison.
• Exercises second level coordination of activities for volunteers and Program Leader staff. Plans and prioritizes work if needed.
• Choose activities, create a schedule and lead large group educational programs.
• This job description should not be construed as an all-inclusive statement of every task required of this position, but as a fair representation of the great majority of the work.

Required Education and Experience

At least one year of college with classes in the natural sciences, education or related areas is preferred. 

Other Requirements:

Completion of a degree in one of these studies is preferred.

Previous experience working with children is required.

CPR and First Aid Certification is preferred.

Must be fingerprinted and be able to pass a police background check.

Must have valid Driver's License or valid State Identification.

Must be able to transport self to various work locations as required.

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