Job Description

Center for Wildlife (Cape Neddick, Maine) - A dynamic and unique conservation medicine and nature-based education center seeks a seasonal, experienced and passionate nature-based educator who is emotionally intelligent and highly organized. Under the supervision of the Education & Outreach Director, the Summer Camp Lead Staff is responsible for the daily functions of day camps including: Daily setup and break down of activity spaces and gear; camper check-in and check out; planning daily camp schedules; running camp activities; oversight of camper safety; and parent communication.

Do you love being outdoors? Having fun? Learning new things? At CFW our Camp emphasizes hands-on, experiential, frequently field-based education. Campers learn in a variety of settings, including classrooms both inside and out, but also behind the eyepieces of binoculars and microscopes, knee-deep in a cold stream, running behind a butterfly net, and on hands and knees with eyes peeled on the ground. We are seeking enthusiastic, fun-filled individuals with a focus on providing a fun, nurturing and educational environment to help support and grow our future naturalists and wildlife experts!

Days camps are filled with a variety of activities, from meeting our ambassador animals to building fairy houses and learning about the local flora, fauna and habitats in our wooded campus. We encourage people with a love for the outdoors and connecting children to ecology and nature to apply.

This position runs from June 8th through August 22nd and includes: three weeks of orientation, onboarding and training; and 8 weeks of day camps for children ages 5-12 Camps run Monday-Thursday each week. This is an hourly position at $18/hr for a 40-hour work week. Position requires one weekend day per week.

Center for Wildlife was founded in 1986, has over 40,000 social media followers, an annual operating budget of $1.2 million, 6 board members, and 15 full-time and 6 seasonal staff. Since inception CFW has treated over 85,000 injured and orphaned wild animals, and presented environmental education programming to over 100,000 community members. Center for Wildlife has recently completed fundraising, construction, and transitioning to a brand new $6M facility and campus that includes a Nature Center, outdoor amphitheater, auditorium and indoor classroom, ambassador village and interpretive nature trails and outdoor play spaces.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Position: Summer Camp Lead Staff

Status: Temporary - Seasonal

Reports to: Education & Outreach Director

Job Posted: January 2026

POSITION PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the Education and Outreach Director (EOD), the two Summer Camp Lead Staff (SCLS) are responsible for the daily functions of nature-based summer day camps including: Daily setup and break down of activity spaces and gear; camper check-in and check out; planning daily camp schedules; running camp activities; oversight of camper safety; parent communication; and communication with CFW education staff, interns and volunteers to ensure camps are run smoothly. CFW Summer day camps are for children ages 5-12 and run for eight weeks (June 29 - August 20, 2026). Camps run Monday-Thursday each week.

I. ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES Percentage of Job

A. Nature-Based Day Camps 70%

• Attends Summer Camp Staff Trainings before day camps begin.
• Reviews, prepares and leads camp adventures, lessons, activities & crafts.
• Supervises up to 15 campers each day with an assistant (e.g. summer intern or nature-based play volunteer).
• Sets the tone for a camp experience that promotes: awe, wonder, curiosity, exploration, timelessness and caretaking.
• Engages campers of all ages and abilities and provides accommodations when possible; practices positive reinforcement and re-direction as needed.
• Leads kids in outdoor activities over uneven terrain and in inclement weather.
• Provides support and guidance to summer interns and camp volunteers.
• Ensures the cleanliness of educational materials, displays, indoor & outdoor areas (e.g. Nature Center, Classroom, etc) according to CFW standards.
• Works with other staff to coordinate flow of activities to ensure a smooth operation.
• Trains and demonstrates safety with select Nature Center ambassador animals.

B. Camper Safety & Parent Communication 15%

• Reviews and understands all medical forms for campers.
• Performs daily safety scans of facilities, gear and clothing, and activities.
• Verbal check-ins with parents, as needed, at the beginning & end of each day.
• Maintains medical records and completes incident reports when necessary.
• With guidance of the EOD, makes initial parent contact in the event of an emergency or behavior challenges at camp.
• Assists in the promotion of relevant CFW programs and events.
• Works with the education team to send out weekly camper family emails - including documentation of weekly highlights and photos.

C. Professional Conduct & Organizational Responsibilities 15%

• Works with full-time education staff to maximize productivity through use of appropriate tools; utilizes resources that create timely and efficient workflow.
• Ensures completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of all operation functions.
• Operates as part of the entire CFW team.
• Establishes rapport with diverse range of staff, interns, volunteers, and constituents.
• Maintains dignity and self-control in difficult situations.
• All other duties as deemed required.

I. QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required.

• Previous summer camp staff experience desired (nature-based preferred).
• CPR & First aid certified (Wilderness First Aid preferred).
• Physically fit to work on feet for 8-10 hours, lift up to 30 pounds.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Enthusiasm for inspiring children about nature & conservation.
• Experience managing, motivating and sharing feedback with volunteers.
• Digital Literacy: Google Suite and email.
• Able to maintain confidential information.

II. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• General knowledge of nature-connection games, activities and practices.
• General knowledge of New England nature (wildlife species, habitats, trees, etc).
• Ability to engage youth with stories, information and creativity.
• Ability to work independently, anticipate roadblocks and present solutions to team.
• Highly organized and proficient in time management.
• Ability to have cooperative relationships within a diverse, multicultural environment.
• Ability and desire to keep customer service front-of-mind.
• Ability and desire to manage groups of children in an educational and playful environment for 6-8 hours a day.

III. SCHEDULE & COMPENSATION

• Seasonal Work Period: June 8th - August 22nd, 2026 (11 weeks)
• Schedule: One weekend day per week is required (either Mon-Sat or Tues-Sun)
• Hourly pay, $18 per hour
• 40 hours per week

To Apply:

Send a cover letter, updated resume and three professional references to:

Dan Gardoqui, Education & Outreach Director, staffing@thecenterforwildlife.org.

Pay: $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Work Location: In person

Job Tags

Similar Jobs