Part-Time Outdoor School Program Assistant

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Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Shaver's Creek Environmental Center

Outdoor School Program Assistant Fall 2024 - Spring 2025

Start date: August 12, 2024

End date: May 16, 2025

The Outdoor School program at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center is seeking an enthusiastic outdoor education professional to bring the magic of learning in and about the natural world to area 5th graders. This is a part-time position working no more than 1500 hours during the contracted term. During the fall and spring program seasons, including pre-season prep time (approx. 14 weeks), the program assistant will work 40-60 hours/week, during the off-season the program assistant will work 24 hours/week.

Job Description:

Assist the Outdoor School (ODS) Directors in all the following administrative duties:

• Recruit counselors and learning group leaders (LGL) via PSU campus/class visits (LGLs are seasonal educators at Shaver's Creek and PSU students; Counselors are PSU students)
• Train learning group leaders and cabin counselors
• Manage volunteer background checks and training paperwork
• Create, edit, update ODS curriculum
• During ODS, be on-site at camp to provide leadership to and supervision of LGLs, counselors, and participants; interact with and respond to teacher questions and concerns
• During ODS, be on-site at camp to ensure the program operates smoothly and on time (lessons, meals, and evening activities); this includes staying overnight at camp one to two nights/week
• Evaluate performance of learning group leaders and counselors through review of coursework and direct observation; provide feedback for learning group leaders and counselors

Additional ODS responsibilities:

• Ensure safety of and provide first aid to participants when school nurse is not present
• Spend one to two nights per weeks on site as the director-on-duty overnight
• Coordinate evening programs when on overnight duty, including leading campfires
• If necessary, instruct 5th - 6th grade students in natural history and ecology-based lessons

Additional job responsibilities:

• Participate in staff meetings and other center-wide events as determined by the Director

Job Requirements:

• Must be energetic and have a genuine interest in working with young people and their teachers
• Proven communication and interpersonal skills with school students and teachers
• Ability to work effectively with college students, support them in engaging with the school students, and provide feedback to them
• Ability to work with a small staff for long hours (~16hrs/day) with little privacy
• Experience providing appropriate behavior management to school students, preventing such situations from arising, and giving constructive feedback to staff in such matters as well
• Must be able to provide participatory leadership in hiking and running activities on uneven ground; May require the ability to work in an outdoor environment in adverse weather conditions including extreme heat and cold, respond to audible and visual emergency signals and act accordingly
• First Aid/CPR (or above) certification, or willingness to obtain before start of position
• Must be at least 21 years of age

Job Benefits:

• $15/hourly wage; overtime eligible
• Professional leadership experience as a full-time staff member
• First Aid and CPR certification if not certified by start date

To Apply:

Contact Ellen Will eeb11@psu.edu or 814-865-3953. Applicants must submit a letter of interest, a resume, and three professional references. In addition, applicants must complete the job application through the Penn State Careers Website: https://hr.psu.edu/careers. Top candidates will be interviewed by phone in July and an offer made shortly thereafter.

Background Check Requirements:

This job requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid US
driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required
in addition to standard background checks.

This job requires the following 3 publicly available clearances:
* PA State Police Criminal Background Check
* PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form
* FBI Criminal Background Check

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: