Position: Outdoor Explorations Program Coordinator

Salary: $37,000-$42,000 per year, full-time, exempt, plus benefits

Start Date: August 22, 2022

Application Deadline: Friday, August 5

Supervisor: BLNC Executive Director

How to Apply:

Contact: If you have any questions about the position, please email leila@bufflake.org

Position Description

Bluff Lake Nature Center is a wildlife refuge and outdoor classroom in Denver. Our mission is to educate individuals to be engaged, resilient, and curious; conserve a natural area in the city; further equity in outdoor access; and nurture the health and well-being of communities and ecosystems. 

The Outdoor Explorations Program (OEP) Coordinator will be a new position at BLNC, launching a new homeschool based outdoor program. The program is in partnership with the Alpine International Preparatory Academy (AIPA).  OEP provides experiential outdoor and environmental education for Kindergarten-5th grade students who are homeschooled. It gives homeschool students the opportunity to spend time outdoors in a group setting. The program lasts for 34 weeks during the school year, with roughly 16 K-1st students to BLNC on Mondays, 18 2nd-3rd students coming on Wednesdays, and 18 4th-5th students coming on Fridays. Daily class is held from 9am-3pm entirely outdoors, and virtually in the case of extreme weather. Off-days will be used to plan and prep for upcoming weeks as well as fill in for additional BLNC education team needs as necessary.

The OEP Coordinator will be responsible for working alongside AIPA staff to plan and implement curriculum, work with families and students, and facilitate programs. During the summer months, this position will work as a BLNC Summer Camp Counselor.

Additional Program Details

The program is designed around outdoor skills and an understanding of the environmental concepts that are needed for one to be an “Earth Steward”. The activities/lessons will inspire wonderment of the environment, encourage self-efficacy, leadership skills, a sense of community by providing students with opportunities to apply the concepts to real-world situations fostering an understanding and stewardship of the earth. Each Trimester will have a thematic unit starting with "Ecosystems" in the fall will set the tone for building healthy (symbiotic) relationships, community, and working as a team. The winter unit on "Adaptations" will teach students problem-solving, decision-making, safety, and risk management skill sets. Lastly, the spring unit on "Biodiversity" will translate that everything and everyone has a special niche or unique role to play in their community and environment which fosters empathy, character development, group dynamics, leadership, and stewardship.

Bluff Lake Nature Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Location

Bluff Lake Nature Center

11255 MLK Jr. Blvd

Denver, CO 80238

Dates and Times

  • This position is full-time and would work during the Fall, Winter, and Spring months as the OEP Coordinator and during the summer months as a BLNC Summer Camp Counselor

  • Training and Prep: August 22nd-September 2nd

  • Fall Trimester September 5th-November 17th

  • Winter Trimester November 28th - March 2nd

  • Spring Trimester March 6th - June 1st

  • BLNC Summer Camp June 5th- August 18th

Responsibilities

OEP Program Coordinator

  • Leading the development and implementation of the OEP curriculum

  • Assisting AIPA staff with registration and logistics, working closely and cooperating with students’ parents

  • Facilitating outdoor programming three days a week for 34 weeks. Be prepared for physical activities such as hiking (up to 2 miles); wading in Sand Creek (the creek bed is rocky and can be slippery); managing varying weather conditions including snow, rain, and wind; carrying supplies with you in a backpack all day; filling and moving water jugs; and helping set up tables, chairs, and tents.

  • Supervising 8-16 students (grades K-1, 2-3, 4-5) all day, working in partnership with an AIPA staff person

  • Communicating daily with AIPA staff, maintaining effective community relationships and positive representation of organization with the AIPA

  • Staying current on conservation issues and continue to build knowledge of local ecosystems

  • Developing and implementing evaluation criteria for programs

  • Upkeep, care, and maintenance of equipment and facilities used for programming

  • Participating in OEP related staff activities (for both BLNC and AIPA), including but not limited to training, public events, special programs, planning sessions, and staff meetings

  • Attending regular calendar check-ins with BLNC supervisor

  • Other duties as assigned by supervisor

 BLNC Summer Camp Counselor

  • In person training and team bonding activities during the first week

  • Weekly day camps each week afterward, with new campers each week

  • Independently supervise 4-8 campers (ages 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, or 11-12) all day, sometimes also working with a “Junior Counselor” (ages 13-18)

  • We will provide you with instructions for the games, lessons, activities, and crafts, but you will also have the option to develop your own if you’d like

  • Provide basic first aid (scrapes, stings) and carry emergency medication (inhalers, epipens). We will provide training for both of these

Minimum Qualifications

  • At least 21 years old

  • High school diploma or equivalent

  • Patient, responsible, respectful of nature, and a good role model at all times

  • Able to engage children with enthusiasm and ensure their safety

  • Flexible, adaptable, and able to remain calm when unexpected situations arise

  • Able to provide your own housing and transportation to and from the site each day

Desired Skills and Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree (especially studying education, environment, or any science or social science)

  • Work or volunteer experience caring for children, especially multiple children at once (e.g., camp counselor, student teacher, coach, tutor, nanny, babysitter)

  • Experience working or volunteering outdoors (especially in environmental education)

  • Self-starting and quickly able find ways to make yourself helpful when working as part of a team

  • Attention to detail when reading procedures, lesson plans, and children’s paperwork

  • Confident and capable when asked to work independently

  • Strong ability to communicate with different groups (e.g., children, co-workers, parents)

  • Fluency in Spanish

Outdoor Explorations Program Coordinator