Powdermill Nature Camp Educator

Powdermill Nature Camp Educators work collaboratively with Powdermill staff to conduct summer day camp programs at Powdermill Nature Reserve (PNR). This position emphasizes relationship-building and requires prompt, friendly, accurate communication with program participants and coworkers. Weekend work may be required. 

This position is responsible for leading instruction, planning educational experiences based on lesson plans and other resources provided by PNR Education staff, and working collaboratively with a team of educators, assistants, and volunteers to deliver effective, engaging, and safe learning experiences. 

Powdermill Nature Camp Educators will give and receive constructive criticism with the goal of developing their pedagogy skills and the quality of educational experiences. This will be facilitated by participation in professional development structured by PNR program leaders.

This temporary position is for summer day camps at Powdermill Nature Reserve in Rector, PA. Candidates possessing knowledge of the natural history of the Laurel Highlands or similar area and bachelor’s degree in environmental education, K-12 education, natural sciences, or related field, and 1 year of professional experience in a relevant field preferred.

Summer camp staff must have availability to work Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm the weeks of 6/16, 6/23, 7/7, 7/14, and 7/21. This temporary position will end on July 25, 2025. Low-cost on-site housing is available for the duration of employment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 1 year of professional experience in a relevant field
• Demonstrated aptitude for creativity, curiosity, passion, enthusiasm, integrity, and a strong professional ethic
• Passion for/interest in science and nature
• Willingness to be open and respectful of all backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, K-12 education, natural sciences, or related field
• For candidates with professional experience in education, knowledge of best-practices in teaching in outdoor settings, guiding student-directed inquiry, experience with positive behavior support systems, and co-teaching is preferred
• For candidates with professional experience in natural sciences or related field, experience with hands-on learning and public engagement in outdoor settings is preferred
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• This position requires energetic and charismatic individuals who are interested in helping children experience nature first-hand in a welcoming, safe, and scientific learning environment.
• Candidates must have prior experience working with young people and/or adults in an educational capacity.
• First aid and CPR certification is required and can be obtained through Carnegie Museums after hiring.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position requires constant mobility around the Nature Center, and outdoors on and off trails for several hours at a time. If the person is not able to bend or lift items of 20 – 50 lbs., they must be willing to ask for assistance performing tasks that require these actions.

Candidates will be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 

ENVIRONMENT AND SCHEDULING:

 Summer camp staff must have availability to work Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm. This temporary position will run from approximately mid-June – early August annually.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

             Assisting in execution of overall camp program strategy 

• Acting as advocate for and model of Powdermill Nature Reserve’s summer camp vision, prioritizing safety at all times. 

• Motivating teammates to assure program quality and excellent customer service. 

Leading instruction 

• Working collaboratively with a team of educators, assistants, and volunteers to deliver effective, engaging, and safe learning experiences. 

• Applying knowledge of best-practices to create welcoming, age-appropriate spaces where participants feel cared for and are excited to learn about science, nature and one another. 

• Designing and defining clear goals and creating opportunities for learners to receive feedback on progress towards goals. 

• Using a variety of strategies that engage diverse learners, including best practices for accessibility. 

Planning educational experiences based on resources provided by PNR staff 

• Adapting lesson plans from existing resources. 

• Coordinating with staff and volunteers to ensure that learning spaces and materials are prepared and returned before/after each program. 

• Coordinating with staff and volunteers to ensure that participants are greeted upon arrival and know what to do to get the program started. 

Supporting efforts to create a safe environment for all people, facilities, and natural resources 

• Following established procedures for safety, security, custodial, visitor service, and maintenance procedures. This includes providing clear safety expectations for participants in the context of educational activities. 

• Using appropriate procedures in emergency situations. 

• Using appropriate reporting procedures for incidents and unexpected situations. 

• Ensuring that impact of educational activities on museum collections and exhibitions is minimized. 

• Ensuring that environmental impact of educational activities is minimized. 

Additional responsibilities may be assigned on a case-by-case basis.

The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.

Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer – Minorities / Females / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.   

*GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:   The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities.  An individual is qualified if he or she can perform the essential functions of a job with or without reasonable accommodation. An essential job function is any task that is a fundamental part of the job.  When considering essentiality, one must focus upon whether the function is essential to this particular job and not to the department as a whole. Some additional guidance on essential functions follows below.  Please note that the following guidelines are non-exhaustive.  If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources. A. Is the function required to be performed on a regular basis? If the function is rarely performed, it may not be essential. B. Is the function highly specialized? Is the incumbent hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function?  The need for special expertise is an indication of an essential function. C. Does the position exist, at least in part, to perform the function?  If so, the function is more likely to be essential. D. How much time is spent performing the function and how often?  Note that even functions performed 10% of the time could be essential if they are required on a regular basis. E. Would elimination of the function fundamentally alter the job?  If so, the function is more likely to be essential. F. What are the consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function? If they are significant, the function is more likely to be essential.  G. Are there a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function could be distributed if the incumbent could not perform it?  If so, it is more likely to be essential.