Position Description: Fellows develop teaching, interpretive, and public relations techniques rooted in principles of environmental education during this year-long, residential program. Fellows are exposed to a wide variety of audiences through instructing our hands-on, experiential, and inquiry-based classes. Professional growth and learning are accomplished through direct teaching experience supported by staff, professional workshops, and a series of observations and evaluations.

This is a job for you if…

• You enjoy working with youth grades 4-8
• You desire to work outside
• You have an inclination towards communal living
• You want a job to provide professional development, mentorship, and coaching
• You believe in a values-based, mission driven vocation

Essential Functions:

Teaching

• Teach adventure, science, and cultural history classes to a variety of audiences (primary audience is 4th – 8th grades)
• Set up and clean-up of classes; inventory class supplies and kits
• Learn and present one-hour evening Naturalist Programs

Liaison

• Host visiting groups and schools, serving as their point of contact for Eagle Bluff
• Orient groups about Eagle Bluff’s policies and procedures as necessary
• Be on call for group needs via radio or telephone, including overnight
• Facilitate mealtimes and coordination between groups
• Assist with gift shop and other ancillary activities as needed
• Set up and clean up evening activities (i.e. movie, night hike); lead evening campfires, as scheduled

Education Department Team Member

• Demonstrate professionalism and show sincerity/sensitivity, especially in areas of participant experience
• Show a commitment to individual and organizational growth and improvement; be flexible and maintain a positive attitude and composure when working alone/in teams, receiving constructive criticism, and during times of stress; show dependability in attendance
• Attend weekly Education Department meetings
• Participate in campus projects, including but not limited to, general and class maintenance, care of resident education animals (raptors, skunk, and reptiles), land management, invasive species removal, and more as necessary
• Work up to one weekend a month

Graduate Student/Fellowship Participant

• Participate in graduate-level seminars throughout the year, including Fundamentals of Environmental Education, Certified Interpretive Guide, Introduction to SE Minnesota Natural History, and Introduction to Program Design.
  • All Fellowship participants attend all seminars and trainings, but there is the option to receive graduate-level credits from Hamline University for seminar participation. Individuals must have a college degree to receive the credits, but it is not a requirement of the job to have one.
• Continually sharpen skills by attending trainings, participating in monthly meetings, semi-frequent observations & evaluations (e.g. formal, peer, self, etc.), reviewing individual feedback, and setting monthly and yearly goals.

Summer Camp Counselor

• Plan at least one summer camp, including generating a supplies list, creating activities, considering risk management, and creating evaluations (done in conjunction with the Introduction to Program Design graduate seminar)
• Lead at least one overnight summer camp, serving as the point person for staff responsibilities, daily activities, and logistics. 
• Assist with at least two of Eagle Bluff’s Summer Camps in a counselor role, leading activities, managing behavior, and creating a positive environment for all campers. 

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications & Skills: 

• Able to commit to ASAP – August 1st, 2025
• Be 21 years of age by August 12th, 2024
• Interested and excited about facilitating positive, outdoor experiences for students of all ages and backgrounds
• Communicate clearly, effectively, and tactfully; active listener and collaborator
• High level of positivity, adaptability, and a growth mindset
• High level of self-motivation and enthusiasm; an eagerness and willingness to learn
• Ability to live on-site in a dormitory communal setting with 11 other Fellowship members
• Willingness to operate and participate in high ropes courses
• Current CPR and First-Aid certification or willingness to obtain prior to start date
• Possess a general environmental and/or science literacy
• Computer, radio, and audio-visual equipment literacy

Compensation:

• Participants receive an $1,000/month stipend for living expenses and to apply toward the cost of graduate credit or certifications as seen fit. 
• Participants are provided housing in a private staff wing of the dormitory, sharing a bathroom/suite with one other person and having a private bedroom. All 11 participants share a common living room, dining room, kitchen, storage space, and laundry. 
• As additional compensation, meals are provided when visiting groups are in residence as are food staples for use in the staff kitchen. Fellows are eligible for MN SNAP benefits. 
• Along with room and board, fellows are offered significant paid PTO, several holidays, personal voicemail, internet access, staff gear, and use of Eagle Bluff’s recreational equipment.
• Professional purchase discounts

Click to view FULL JOB DESCRIPTION