Seasonal Outdoor Recreation Educator
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Job Location:
Wisconsin Dells, WI - USA
Hourly Salary:
$ 17 - 19
Posted on:
22 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.
Job Category:
University StaffEmployment Type:
Temporary (Fixed Term)Job Profile:
AssistantJob Summary:
The Upham Woods Seasonal Outdoor Educators are the primary programmatic personnel for Upham Woods in the summer that regard this position is responsible for teaching programming and recreational activities for user groups interacting with 4-H Youth educators and adult volunteers other group leaders and care for programmatic outpost and recreational equipment which includes the science center animals. All of the above is to be done with a focus on customer service and effective educational methods in a safe environment.
Responsibilities:
Education:
Facilitate introductory camping and canoeing experiences for older youth including sleeping in a tent and cooking outdoors for up to 3 nights.
Teach outdoor recreation programming to school and community groups ranging in size from 20-150 participants. Programs may include hiking canoeing orienteering survival teambuilding and archery.
Collaborate with team members to identify and manage risk in the outdoors.
Customer Service:
Serve as liaison (main point of contact) for visiting groups including on call status*
Facilitate meal service with dining hall staff
Prepare and maintain outdoor equipment such as tents and other camping supplies.
Conservation:
Support conservation projects by preparing necessary tools safety equipment and project materials for use on conservation project days.
Complete facility maintenance projects trail work and minor cleaning as needed.
Housing
Lodging is available while working at Upham Woods in our staff duplex. Bedroom assignments can be an individual or shared shared bathroom and shared common areas (kitchen living room laundry facilities).
*On-call status refers to liaison duties extending overnight where a provided cell phone is left on in case of emergency contact from the visiting group.
Temporary Position
This position may have the possibility to be extended based on need and/or funding.
In Person
It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person onsite at a designated campus work location.
Evening/Weekend Work
This position may be required to work occasional nights and weekends to meet the program needs and priorities of the communities served.
Physical Requirements
Ability to occasionally lift and carry 35 pounds.
Ability to hike several miles on uneven terrain including trails and stairs in a wide variety of temperatures and environmental conditions.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Provides assistance for units as requested such as wiping down tables filing coping sorting and delivering mail
- Performs the typical duties as required by each position according to what is needed
- Acts in compliance with the standards of their job represents the university in a positive manner and completes the assigned tasks that are aligned to their role
Department:
UW Madison Division of Extension Natural Resources Institute Upham Woods is hiring for a Seasonal Outdoor Recreation Educator.
About Extension
UW-Madisons Division of Extension serves the people and communities of Wisconsin by addressing local statewide and national issues improving lives through research-based education fostering partnerships and action and facilitating positive impacts.
About the Institute
About the Program
Upham Woods is a residential center within the UW-Madison Division of Extension that provides hands-on field-based education and recreation opportunities to youth youth leaders and adults through programs focused on environmental and leadership education. The Center officially accredited through the American Camp Association (ACA) consists of 14 buildings including a new welcome center full-service kitchen and dining hall nature center and lodging for visitors and seasonal staff. The Center sits on the Wisconsin River with over 300 acres of forested land including a 210- acre state natural area island.
Compensation:
Well-qualified candidates can anticipate earning between $17.75 - $19.25 per hour. Actual pay within this range will depend on experience and qualifications.
Incentive Types:
Returning Staff for second season - $.50/hr
Returning Staff for third season - $.50/hr
Returning Staff for fourth season (last increase) - $.50/hr
Other Camp Experience (minimum 2 months experience) - $.25/hour
Required Qualifications:
Ability to work in a team setting with enthusiasm and creativity and the ability to work independently
The desire to teach user groups ranging in size from 20-150 participants
Familiarity with outdoor adventure pursuits and their associated equipment such as camping canoeing archery etc.
A general understanding of the field of environmental education natural resourceseducationandyouth development
Ability to work flexible hours any day of the week including evening hours
Preferred Qualifications:
Coursework toward a bachelors degree in education natural science biology environmentaleducationor a related field
Ability to take responsibility for one of the specialization areas. Specialization areas includebut arenot limitedto:programanimals challengecourse technology marketing and social media andfacility improvement
Education:
H.S. Diploma or equivalent
Required Certifications
- Lifeguarding certificationor ability to obtain before start of employmentwith certification active through August 2026.Required to lead Canoeing Outpost Swimming and Blackhawk Island Hikes.
Preferred Certifications
- Professional certifications in any of the activities which we commonly offersuch as licensed teacher 4-H Archery Low Ropeselementchallenge course canoeing etc.
How to Apply:
We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. To begin the application process click the apply now button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:
Resume
Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)
Please submit a cover letter referring to your work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background as it relates to this position. Your cover letter should communicate your interest in the position and how your skillset aligns with the role. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews.
For additional guidance and resources on how to tailor your application materials to the job posting please click note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States a lawful permanent resident a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and then every two years.
Application Deadline is November 30 2025 at 11:59pm (CST).
Contact Information:
Molly Silva
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. SeeRELAYSERVICEfor further information.
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength creativity and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity culture background experience status abilities and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching research outreach and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students faculty and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to including but not limited to race color religion sex sexual orientation national origin age pregnancy disability or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodationfor any step in the hiring process (e.g. application interview pre-employment testing etc.) please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)in the division you are applying make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.
Key Skills
- Early Childhood Education
- Algebra
- Classroom Experience
- Lesson Planning
- Special Education
- Adult Education
- Special Needs
- Calculus
- Teaching
- Geometry
- Experience with Children
- Public Speaking
About Company
Wisconsin Relay is a free public service that enables people with hearing loss or speech loss who use a telecommunication device.
