Counselor in Training - Huntington, United States - National Audubon Society

Description

Overview:

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters.

North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds and our planet are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Interested in environmental education, wilderness skills and working with children? Looking to build your resume and broaden your knowledge of the natural word? Join the Audubon Vermont team this summer as a paid Counselor-In-Training (CIT)

CITs work alongside our day camp Instructors experienced naturalists and educators to deliver high-quality, hands-on environmental education and activities for campers ages 3-12. The program is structured to give CITs the opportunity to explore their interests in outdoor education and conservation, while also building the skills and experience necessary to launch them towards their next education or career opportunity. We hope our CITs will become the next generation of Audubon camp Instructors, Naturalist Educators, and Conservation Biologists

CITs have the option of working with both our Preschool Nature Camp (ages 3-5) and Ecology Day Camp (ages We encourage CITs to take the opportunity to teach both age groups to gain an understanding of how developmental stages of youth impact our lesson plans and teaching styles. While we do our best to honor CIT camp choices, there may be times that CITs will work whatever camp best fits our scheduling needs. For more information about both camps, including age groups and themes for each week, visit our website:

Who can apply?
We are looking for High School Students with interests in:

• Outdoor/environmental education
• Working with children
• Wildlife and habitat conservation
• Nature awareness, animal tracking, and wilderness living skills
• Nature-based crafts, art, and tool-making
• Teaching and mentoring younger kids
• Building teamwork and leadership skills

CIT positions are open to high school students ages An ideal candidate for this position is available Monday-Friday for 4 weeks of the summer camp season June 24 - August 16, 2024. CITs hours are from 8:00am to 4:15pm, with a 30 min lunch break each day (total of 7.5 hours/day).

CITs must be available for orientation at the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington (dates subject to change if snow days delay school year): June no work on Juneteenth, 6/19).

This is an in-person role based out of the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington, Vermont.

Compensation:

$15.00 / hour

• Be a role model for campers, exhibiting maturity and good judgment.
• Help provide a safe and supportive atmosphere for campers both physically and emotionally.
• Lead or co-lead pre-care for campers in the morning before camp starting at 8:15am. This entails playing games with or setting crafts up for children arriving before the start of the camp day at 9am.
• Support camp staff in morning preparation and afternoon breakdown of materials.
• Help set up materials for activities throughout the camp day.
• Active engagement with campers and daily activities/adventures.
• Under supervision, lead camp activities and programs for which your skills, interests, and training qualify you.
• Participate in staff meetings and weekly check-ins with camp staff.
• Receive and apply feedback from staff.
• Keep timesheet accurate and up to date. Must be submitted bi-weekly.

• Must be excited to work with children.
• Ability to support and respect campers and camp staff from all backgrounds and identities.
• Must be willing to work in any summer weather conditions (heat, rain, humidity, etc.).
• This job is physical in nature, applicants must be able to stand for long periods of time and hike around the Center with or without accommodations.
• Must be a current high school student between the ages of
• CITs are expected to have reliable transportation to and from the Green Mountain Audubon Center. We help
  connect CITs to one another so they can arrange carpooling on their own as best as we can.
• Experience working with children is a plus, whether it be from babysitting or past employment.
• Experience attending Audubon camp, or another outdoor camp is helpful, but not required.
• Work permits may be required for candidates under 18 years of age as a condition of employment.

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.