Science Camp Assistant

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned nonprofit dedicated to protecting and growing trees locally and globally. We are seeking enthusiastic team members to help our camp instructors facilitate interactive summer adventures for our campers. The ideal candidate will have experience working with children a passion for the outdoors and nature and an interest in experiential education. You will be part of an incredible team working to engage in fun experiences and learning together.

Position Summary: Assist Science Camp Instructors as they lead school-age children in nature discovery classes and activities related to the Arboretums remarkable exhibits and varied natural areas. Accompany Science Camp Instructors and students on engaging fun hiking trips on the Arboretums grounds and assist with science-related indoor and outdoor teaching activities.

Essential Functions:

• Represent The Morton Arboretums mission and programs in a positive constructive and effective manner.
• Assist Science Camp Instructors as they implement a science-related curriculum for up to 15 students of a specified age group.
• Become familiar/comfortable with hiking a variety of trails on the Arboretum grounds.
• Interact with parents and guardians of students in a professional courteous and responsive manner.
• Become familiar with the Arboretums mission history programs and structure.
• Support Summer Science Camps inclusion practices with the assistance of the Camp Instructors and Inclusion Coordinator.
• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretums employee core values.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Experience with teaching or assisting with the teaching of school-age children in a formal or non-formal setting required. Basic science knowledge a plus. Must be at least 18 years old.

Success Factors:Ability to engage and excite children about the natural world. Good verbal skills and an enthusiasm toward learning. Ability to maintain interest and discipline of up to 15 students during a weeklong camp experience. Flexible constructive and courteous approach to parents children and summer science camp staff. Stamina and ability to participate in outdoor programs in various weather conditions.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: limited lifting and carrying (up to 15 lbs.) hiking kneeling ability to travel over one mile on paved wood-chipped and dirt paths over varied and uneven terrain.

• Work Environment: Work is performed in a combined indoors and outdoors environment in various weather conditions.

• Equipment: Scientific tools microscopes two-way radio educational materials appropriate protective clothing.
• Schedule: The position requires availability for seven of the ten weeks of camp attending a mandatory orientation meeting and weekly staff meetings.

Availability requirements for 2026

• Must be available to attend a virtual mandatory summer camp orientation meeting on Thursday May 14th from 5:00p.m. and 7:00p.m and an in person training Thursday May 21st from 5:00p.m. and 7:00p.m.
• Must be available to work seven out of nine weeks of camp five days a week (8:30am-12:15pm 8:30 am-3:15pm or 11:45am-3:45pm) for an assigned grade level (Pre-Kindergarten through 8^th grade) for assigned weeks (opportunities available June 1-August 14 no camp the week of July 4th).
• A mandatory all-staff meeting (for each week of camp) is held every Monday morning at 8:00 am (for full day and morning camps) or at 11:15am (for afternoon camps).

For full consideration please include a cover letter and resume with your application.

The hiring rate for this position is $20.00/hour. This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts inspires and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race religion color national origin sex sexual orientation gender identity age disability or veteran status.

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.