Summer Camp Educational Leader​/Extension Program Worker

Position Summary

MSU Extension is seeking candidates to join our Oakland County Parks Outdoor Discovery Camps team at multiple park locations throughout Oakland County, Michigan. During the summer, Oakland County Parks offers week-long outdoor day camps that provide hands‑on, nature‑based educational experiences for children ages 6–12.

As part of the educational staff, the Educational Leader Camp Counselor will lead learning experiences for groups of youth throughout the summer, guiding exploration, discovery, and outdoor activities that support Oakland County Parks’ mission of environmental education and conservation. Camp programming focuses on science, ecology, outdoor skills, and environmental stewardship, led in collaboration with park naturalists.

We are seeking staff with a background or interest in one or more of the following areas: education, environmental or natural sciences, outdoor recreation, ecology, wildlife biology, forestry, geology, sustainability, cooperative games, or experiential learning.

This is an 8-10 week position with one week of training prior to the start of camp. Camps run mid‑June through mid‑August, Monday‑Friday from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. There is no camp the week of June 29‑July
3. Work hours 8:30 – 3:30 with optional aftercare hours.

• Implement experiential science curriculum and programming for students of various ages at appropriate levels using research‑based methods.
• Observe behavior in daily camp life, encourage positive social interactions between campers, and deal appropriately with any improper behavior.
• Be responsible for the safety of campers, teen volunteers, fellow staff, and self.
• Respond appropriately to health, safety, and any camper concerns, including food allergens.
• Attend in‑service training.
• Collaborate with staff to deliver daily camp programming.
• Organize, assemble, and be responsible for equipment needed for instruction.
• Supervise campers during all activities, transitions, and outdoor excursions.
• Communicate with parents, the public, and staff appropriately.
• Lead extended care as needed from 3:30–5:30 pm.
• Assume any task or responsibility necessary for a successful camp operation as assigned by the camp coordinator.

• Experience working with youth in formal or informal settings (school, nature center, summer camp, scouts, etc.).
• Demonstrated knowledge of the natural world.
• Experience working in close proximity to wildlife.
• Ability to work willingly in all weather (including summer heat and/or rain).
• Ability to be physically active for an 8‑hour day.
• Demonstrate commitment, reliability, punctuality, and responsible behavior at previous positions.
• Possess current CPR/First Aid certification (not required).
• All camp staff must successfully complete required criminal background and child abuse/neglect registry clearances prior to working with campers.
• Must participate in required pre‑camp and in‑service training to fulfill licensing rule training requirements.
• Proven ability in establishing and working with a network of constituents and community members across race, gender, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, socioeconomic class, disabilities, and other differences.
• Demonstrated success in program development and delivery to audiences/communities representative of the communities we serve, and proven ability in establishing and working with a network of constituents and community members across race, color, gender, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, socioeconomic class, and other differences.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.
• Combination of education and specific, relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Ability to lift and carry educational materials, equipment, etc. up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches, skills and techniques, which reflect an…