Education and Conservation Specialist – Upham Woods

Position Title: Education and Conservation Specialist

Position Service Site: Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center (Wisconsin Dells, WI)

Service Time: September 1, 2026 – August 14, 2027 (1,700 Hour Ameri Corps Term, 50 Weeks, 35 Hours per Week)

Benefits: Living stipend total for the whole term = $23,000 ($460 per week). An Education Award of approximately $7,300 will be issued upon successful completion of service. Health insurance is available through Wis Corps for individuals in 1,700-hour positions who are not already covered. Onsite housing is available for term duration and provided by the placement site. Meals are provided when programming groups are using food services on site.

Eligible round-trip mileage will be reimbursed at the federal rate.

Upham Woods is a residential, year-round, outdoor learning center for youth and adults, operating under the Natural Resources Institute of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension. Their mission is to provide an innovative outdoor experience that connects youth and adults with the research and educational resources of UW–Madison to improve the human‑nature connection, support understanding of science, foster environmental stewardship, and engage communities.

Upham Woods rests on 320 acres of forested land, including a 210-acre designated State Natural Area called Blackhawk Island. The facility is comprised of 14 buildings and offers programming, lodging, and meals for up to 140 people. The center offers environmental education and outdoor recreation programs, 4‑H and other youth camps, professional development workshops, and conferences and retreats. Through their programs, Upham Woods aims to ignite curiosity, cultivate leadership, and create a lasting impact on the natural world and the communities they serve.

The Education and Conservation Specialist serving at Upham Woods will lead environmental lessons and serve as a land steward of Blackhawk Island. They will aim to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all groups they encounter. The position schedule varies based on program needs, but default hours are 8am to 4:30pm.

• Teach environmental and outdoor education programming to school and community groups and participate in public and/or community outreach both on and off‑site.
• Lead programs for groups between 25 and 160 people.
• Care, training, and presentation of live animals including amphibians, reptiles and raptors.
• Support program design, development, implementation, and evaluation for grant funded and general programs to improve and expand program offerings to new and returning audiences.
• Help lead one overnight camp, which requires sleeping in a cabin and supervising children overnight for 3 nights.

• Serve as liaison (main point of contact) for visiting groups including on call status.
• Maintain relationships with local community groups.
• After ~6 months, mentor new seasonal staff, including assisting with staff trainings on program and liaison duties.
• Opportunity to contribute to public facing communications, including but not limited to social media, newsletters, event marketing, and assistance with coordination for specific program events.
• Work with the Facilities and Support Services Manager to administer the Paddle Pass program during the summer months, recording and issuing Paddle Passes per program guidelines.

* On call status refers to liaison responsibilities extending overnight in case of emergency contact from a visiting group via cell phone.

• Prepare necessary tools, safety equipment, and project materials for use on conservation project days.
• Evaluate and maintain existing Outpost Program camping equipment including tents, cooking equipment, canoes, paddles, and personal floatation devices.
• Maintain trail tools including Mcleods, shovels, saws, pickaxes, loppers, and rakes.
• Under supervision of the Facilities and Support Services Manager, perform trail work related tasks such as trail repair, new trail construction, and trail reroutes.
• Perform invasive plant species removal.
• Complete facility maintenance projects…