CENTRAL WISCONSIN ENVIRONMENTAL STATION
COUNSELOR NATURALIST JOB DESCRIPTION – SUMMER 2016
General Description:
Summer staff are the primary care providers and mentors for our summer campers. Staff members are
responsible for providing individualized care and attention for campers and for providing programming in
outdoor skills, arts and crafts, outdoor recreation, etc. Camps will consist of a maximum 60 kids. Staff
members are also responsible for carrying out camp improvement projects as assigned/necessary, including
helping manage CWES’s quarter acre organic garden. Training will be provided in all areas of programming.
Most weeks, counselors live in cabins or lodges with 7-10 campers from Sunday afternoon until mid-afternoon
on Friday. Counselors rotate into the position of “swing counselor” during at least one weeklong camp session.
Swing counselors have similar teaching and evening program responsibilities but are not responsible for
campers overnight and will sleep in the staff cabins that week. Counselors will be required to stay on-site from
Sunday at 1:00 pm to Friday at 5:00 pm each week except during time off.
All counselors will be given an average of 3 hours off daily Monday - Thursday except in the event of an offsite trip or during an overnight campout. During this off time counselors will be able to leave the site to run
errands or stick around to wash laundry, kayak, hike, etc. All counselors will be required to be at each evening
program/campfire.
Camp involves hard work and long hours, but the memories, lessons, and laughter will last a lifetime.
Qualifications: Flexible and positive attitude
• Desire, commitment, and ability to work with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities
• Interest in and ability to participate in activities such as hiking, backpacking, paddling, camping etc.
• Past experience working with children is preferred
• Training or experience in recreational activities, environmental education, camping, canoeing,
arts and crafts, and campfires is desired, but not required
• Employees must be at least 18 years of age or older
• First Aid and CPR/AED certification or willing to obtain
• Lifeguard certification or interest in obtaining preferred (CWES will reimburse half the cost of
certification or recertification obtained Spring 2016 at the end of summer and pay more each week to
certified staff)
• Wisconsin Boater Safety certification (CWES will reimburse the cost at the end of summer)
• Employees must successfully pass background and reference check
Duties of Summer Staff:
Counselor Role/Naturalist:
• Set a positive image of camp, be a positive role model for campers, and keep a positive attitude
• Communicate clearly and effectively with campers, Summer Camp Director, and other staff
• Act as a positive role model to campers by fostering a cohesive group within cabin and encouraging
camper personal growth
• Nurture each camper's development of social skills and self-esteem
• Make campers aware of camp rules and policies and use appropriate trained safety regulations and
emergency procedures
• Observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness and apply appropriate behavior management
techniques as trained or seek guidance from Summer Camp Director if unsure of correct behavior
management
• Know the location of each camper in your group at all times
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Assist Summer Camp Director with camp improvement and other projects as needed
Remain flexible to scheduling changes as necessary
Daily Responsibilities:
• Assist with check-in and check-out of campers, camp set-up and clean-up
• Arise with campers and make sure they are ready for the day. Eat all meals with your campers, actively
participate in games and evening activities and programs, enforce lights out
• Attend morning staff meetings
• Deliver fun and educational programs such as outdoor skills, team building, ecology, art, and fishing
based on Summer Camp Director scheduling
• Properly care for and put away program equipment
CWES Team:
• Work cooperatively with summer program staff members and permanent staff to help build a cohesive
team and to ensure all campers’ needs are met
• Abide by CWES Code of Conduct, Employment Agreement, and UWSP/CWES rules outlined in staff
manual
• Work in other departments on site – including maintenance, food service, and the camp garden, – as
needed
• Maintain a positive and respectful attitude towards staff and campers
• Other duties as assigned
Compensation Levels:
• 11 weeks of meals and lodging
• 2 weeks paid staff training to start the summer
• 11 weeks @ $220/week without lifeguard certification
• 11 weeks @ $245/week with lifeguard certification
• 11 weeks @ $235/week for returning staff without lifeguard certification
• 11 weeks @ $260/week for returning staff with lifeguard certification
Employment Dates:
• Tuesday, May 31 – Friday, August 12
• Mandatory staff training: Tuesday, May 31 – Friday, June 10 (weekend off)
• Weekly schedule: Sunday 1:00 pm - Friday 5:00 pm
• All staff off July 3-4, 2016
Employment Contact:
Interim Program Manager: Jordan King
Central Wisconsin Environmental Station
10186 County Road MM
Amherst Junction, WI 54407
Telephone: 715-346-2798
Fax: 715-346-2493
Email: Jordan.King@uwsp.edu
Website: www.uwsp.edu/cwes
The Central Wisconsin Environmental Station is a field station
supported by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of
Natural Resources and the UW-SP Foundation, Inc. The Station is
operated year round by permanent staff and university students as
an environmental education center for people of all ages. The
Central Wisconsin Environmental Station is an equal opportunity
employer.
Application Deadline: No deadline, we will interview candidates as applications arrive and hire staff
based on applications, interviews, and references. Download an application from our website.