Mass Audubon is hiring: Overnight Camp Counselor in Rindge

About Mass Audubon
Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org.

About Mass Audubon Camps
Imagine a place where children can develop their interest in the outdoors, play together, and gain comfort and confidence in the natural world. That place is Mass Audubon's summer camp programs. Each day, campers explore and learn in nature, meet new friends, play games, and have fun! Do you want to share your love of nature and build community? Consider joining our camp staff!

About This Position
Camp counselors live and work directly with campers and strive to provide a safe and positive environment in which campers grow both personally and socially and explore nature. Counselors teach a variety of nature activities, arts and crafts, games and songs. Counselors with additional certifications may also apply to specialist positions as applicable. Applicants to specialist positions must meet Overnight Camp Counselor qualifications.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead youth to explore habitats such as forests, wetlands, and trails
• Work with a partner to plan and carry out daily activities for children and lead spontaneous activities during unstructured times
• Facilitate all aspects of cabin life and campers’ social and personal development, including living in the cabin/tent with campers, facilitating cabin clean-ups, and shower times
• Contribute to the development of a positive, supportive camp community
• Ensure physical and emotional safety of campers
• Abide by all Wildwood and Mass Audubon policies and procedures
  • All Wildwood staff will help work in the kitchen at least 2 days over the summer
  • Complete evening security duties as assigned
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications
At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background.

Required qualifications as per New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services regulations, American Camp Association standards and Mass Audubon Policy:

• Must hold current First Aid and CPR certifications OR be willing to obtain them before the start of the summer
• Participate in mandated, paid camp training and utilize learning including: natural history, communication, group management, health and safety, and teaching techniques
• Be willing to work in all weather conditions including heat, sun, humidity and rain
• Physically access sanctuary terrain easily by foot
• Ability to effectively interact with others, especially children, in camp’s youth-centered environment
• Ability to adapt to changes in schedule and work assignment
• Must submit health history record and examination form prior to first day of work

Desired Qualifications

• Have strong interest or related education experience in Environmental Studies, Biology, Conservation, Education, or related field
• Familiarity with regional natural history, wildlife conservation, or other applicable natural history topics
• Experience working with children and/or teenagers
• Experience working at or attending sleepaway camps
• Additional specialized skills such as boating, lifeguard, archery, and/or arts and crafts (see Additional Position Information - Specialist Positions section below)

Perks of Working at Mass Audubon

• Free First Aid/CPR training class offered to staff in June
• “Pro- Deal” discounts on outdoor clothing, equipment and more
• Network with Mass Audubon staff (Conservation, Education Climate Science, etc.)
• Training in Natural History & Classroom Management

Compensation and Benefits
This position’s base salary begins at $600/week; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. Counselors with specialized skills can earn additional weekly pay. Compensation includes housing and meals for the duration of employment. This is not a benefits eligible position.

Work Schedule
Staff Training: June 9-June 21, 2025
Camp: June 22-August 5, 2025 (dates available through August 25)
Counselors are responsible for campers at all times of day and night except when on time off. Time off is one 24-hour period off per week, and 2 hours off per day.

All Mass Audubon Camp Staff undergo mandatory training prior to interacting with campers. If you have a strong desire to work with campers in an outdoor environment and are interested in learning how to teach and effectively lead groups, please apply.

Additional Position Information - Specialist Positions
Overnight Camp Counselors can hone their leadership abilities, help train their co-staff, and lead special programs as activities specialist in: boating, arts and crafts, archery, or waterfront.

Boating Specialist: the Boating Specialist is a camp counselor who also leads waterfront activities. Additional pay: $40/week.
Duties & Responsibilities:

• Support staff watercraft safety training
• Supervise boating activities at Wildwood along with Waterfront Director
• Perform basic boat and equipment repairs as needed and assist Waterfront Director as needed

Qualifications:

• Experience with watercraft instruction and watercraft maintenance
• Have current Lifeguard and Waterfront Skills certification OR be willing to obtain them before the summer starts
• Ability to lift up to 40lbs and carry small watercraft over uneven terrain

Arts and Crafts Specialist: the Arts and Crafts Specialist is a camp counselor who also leads and manages Wildwood’s Arts and Crafts Program. Additional pay: $35/week.
Duties & Responsibilities:

• Facilitate staff training on Arts and Crafts.
• Create and deliver engaging programs and ensure safety and cleanliness in Arts and Crafts area

Qualifications:

• Experience working with children in an arts program in a camp, school, or after school setting
• Ability to lift up to 40lbs

Archery Specialist: the Archery Specialist is a camp counselor who also leads and manages Wildwood’s Archery Program. Additional Pay: $40/week.
Duties & Responsibilities:

• Supervise all archery activities at Wildwood
• Facilitate staff training on archery and verify staff archery skills onsite, allowing them to help facilitate archery programs
• Ensure safety of all persons in the archery area
• Teach and enforce all archery range rules and policies
• Develop high-quality and engaging archery programs
• Maintain all facilities and equipment in safe, working order

Qualifications:

• Archery certification from a nationally recognized provider OR documented experience teaching archery to youth
• Ability to use and teach with all archery equipment, including but not limited to recurve bows, bow stringer, foam targets, hand tools

Lifeguard: lifeguards are camp counselors who work closely with the Waterfront Director to ensure the safety of Wildwood’s waterfront activities and programs. Additional pay: $40/week.
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with the Waterfront Director to supervise all waterfront activity at Wildwood
• Ensure safety of all persons in the waterfront area
• Enforce all waterfront rules and policies
• Lead emergency procedures as needed

Qualifications:

• Must have current Lifeguard Certification OR recently (within one year) expired certification and willing to recertify before the summer
• Must have current Waterfront Skills Certification OR recently (within one year) expired certification and willing to recertify before the summer

Other Requirements
Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.

Mass Audubon’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice
Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mass Audubon’s mission is to “protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife” by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.