Education and Camp Director Job Description
Flanders’s mission is to provide opportunities to appreciate nature’s wonders and preserve land, inspiring lifelong learning about our natural world.
The Education and Camp Director (Director) will bring a unique brand of enthusiasm for environmental education to create an inclusive summer camp culture defined by fun and learning. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and talented individual with a strong commitment to learners. The Director will contribute significantly to Flanders’ growth by engaging with families, participating with partner schools and organizations, attracting talented teachers and trainers, and communicating with staff and volunteers at all levels. Together we strive to understand our changing landscape, ecosystems, and environmental culture while enriching our communities.
Full time with Benefits
Salary: $45,000-50,000 depending on education and experience
Responsibilities include:
- Leadership and oversight of all aspects of Flanders education and summer camp programs.
- Staff hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation all part time education and seasonal summer program staff
- Program development that ensures Flanders mission, adheres to Flanders, and meets all policies for local/state/federal licensure regulations as may be appropriate.
- Parent communications, public relations, marketing, and advertising using traditional and digital systems
- Reports to the Executive Director; works with the Program and NGSS Coordinators; engages with the LEARN Committee and other Flanders volunteer committees
Specific Deliverables:
- Work with the Executive Director to develop the scope of the educational program, including a strategic plan, and carry out the educational goals of Flanders:
- Program planning and implementation
- Develop, review and evaluate program design including curriculum objectives and learning activities
- Serve as the primary presenter of off-site and on-site presentations
- Hire part time educators, seasonal staff, and contract trainers
- Summer Camp and Science Academies job functions:
- Meet all Office of Early Childhood licensure youth summer camp regulations as well as Flanders, local health department, state and federal laws & regulations
- Design training activities in health and safety and implement the same to assure that all staff are fully prepared to carry out a safe and successful program objectives
- Create or oversee creation of guides with daily activity outlines for each existing and new camp program and provide to each program leader
- Write and keep an updated camp operational manual,
- Research best practices in environmental summer camps for youth, collaboratively create camp programs, review curricula, hire, train, and supervise, all camp staff
- Conduct regular formal and informal summer staff evaluations
- Attain parental feedback, solicit parent advisory involvement annually
- Ensure that staff, campers, and parents know and follow safety procedures for programs.
- Make final decisions, with Flanders administrators, on staff corrective actions, disciplinary and/or termination actions
- Be present every day of camp in groups and activities, providing staff supervision, support and role modeling assuring that camp program daily outlines are being implemented
- Assist Summer Teachers in addressing serious camper issues and developing behavior/instructional plans.
- In a behavioral crisis, make final decisions on consequences and possible camp expulsions
- Oversee emergency operations
- Be the primary contact with parents for serious situations
- Ensure all documentation is completed correctly and in a timely manner.
- Environmental Education job functions:
- Design Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS) aligned science, nature, and agricultural curricula for field trips, away programs, and vacation camp workshops
- Serve as the primary Environmental Educator for onsite and offsite programs and recruit and hire part time environmental educators as needed
- Prepare outdoor and indoor classrooms during field trip seasons
- Monitor inventory and order needed equipment and supplies using approved budget guidelines
- Collaborate with the Program Coordinator to promote educational opportunities across multiple media
- Adult, Family, Community Programs, and Special Events:
- Develop interpretive materials for the general public
- Work collaboratively with non-profit partner organizations, area public and private schools as well as Flanders staff, volunteers and Board Members
- Represent Flanders at Special Event as needed including evenings and weekend event
- Collaboratively work with the Flanders LEARN Committee regarding Environmental Education programming for adults, family and the community at large
- Assist with other Flanders duties as assigned by the Executive Director
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree in education, recreation or a related field
- Two to five years’ experience preferred
- Master’s degree in related field desirable
Position Skills and Knowledge:
- Experience in education, camp, or recreation with a love and appreciation of nature, wildlife and outdoor activities
- Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers
- Be physically able to carry a backpack/medical pack and work on your feet all day in the outdoors as well as hold first aid certification (or obtain certification within 30 days of hire)
- Ability to be creative and to work well with others: staff, volunteers, the public including having excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong analytical skills, ability to work independently and efficiently, and meet deadlines
- Must pass a background check for working with children and hold a valid driver’s license
March 5, 2025
