Camp Counselor (Environmental Educator)
Employment Type: Independent Contractor, temporary
Employment Classification: Exempt
Start Date: May 27, 2025
End Date: August 6, 2025 (tentative)
Apply by: Open Until Filled
Reports to: Education Manager
Salary: $15.25 - $15.75/hour
Trees Atlanta is a nonprofit community group that protects and improves Atlanta�s urban forest by planting, conserving, and educating. Since its beginnings, Trees Atlanta�s goals have been to plant new trees, conserve existing trees, replace trees lost to development and hazards, and educate the public on the many benefits of trees. Trees Atlanta has become one of the most widely-known and respected non-profits locally, as well as nationally, for their work as stewards of our urban environment. To date, Trees Atlanta has planted and cared for over 170,000 trees in metro Atlanta.
Job Description:
Trees Atlanta is looking for a Camp Counselor to assist with its upcoming summer camp programs. The Camp Counselor is responsible for ensuring a fun, adventure-filled, and safe summer experience that creates positive memories for budding environmental stewards. This position is ideal for college-aged students who have completed at least one year of school (or equivalent) with previous leadership experience in a camp/education setting.
Camp Counselors will:
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Facilitate outdoor and indoor classes and activities.
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Teach pre-written environmental education lessons to camp groups.
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Safely lead groups of up to 20 campers on bike rides on the Atlanta BeltLine OR lead groups on site or within walking distance of the main headquarters. (2 biking groups, 1 non-biking group)
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Share camp duties with one other Camp Counselor assigned to the same age group.
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Rising 1st Grade (10 campers per group, NON-biking group) - Camp Counselor in this age group will NOT have a second counselor, and will be working with 1 Camp Assistant and 2 middle/high school Jr. Interns
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Rising 2nd - 3rd Grade (20 campers per group, Biking group))
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Rising 4th - 6th Grade (20 campers per group, Biking group)
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Act as one of two primary leaders (see above for the exception for Camp Counselor with Rising 1st Grade non-biking group) in a collaborative camp group. Other positions in the camp group include Camp Assistants and middle/high school Junior Interns.
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Work with Camp Assistants to problem-solve, troubleshoot, and communicate ideas regarding camp logistics, group dynamics, and behavior management.
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Manage camper safety during all activities and excursions and supervise campers
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Perform minor maintenance on camp bikes (training provided)
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Administer minor first aid to campers as needed (training provided)
Requirements:
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Must be able to effectively engage with and lead groups of children (from ages 6-11) independently, and in a wide variety of outdoor conditions and locations. Professional experience in a camp/education setting is preferred.
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Have a High School diploma or equivalent - This position is ideal for college-aged students who have completed at least one year of school (or equivalent) with previous leadership experience in a camp/education setting.
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Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively on a team
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Knowledge of environmental science, ecology, botany, outdoor education, or related fields preferred.
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Ability to ride a bike / Bike maintenance skills are helpful; two camp groups will be riding bikes throughout the day, and one will be a non-biking group.
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Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
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Be self-motivated and enthusiastic.
Physical Requirements:
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Must be capable of being very active outdoors in various weather conditions with exposure to summer sun, heat, inclement weather, and natural wildlife habitats, including animals and/or insects for extended periods of time.
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Must be a confident and safe bike rider able to ride several miles each day of camp.
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Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. repetitively.
Dates and Hours:
There are 8 one-week sessions of Junior TreeKeeper Camp during the summer (June 2 �July 31). There is no camp programming in the week of July 4 holiday. The schedule for this position involves a 40+ hour work week while camp is in session, with a 4-day paid orientation session before the summer begins (required). Each camp day includes variable shifts according to Before Care and After Care program needs.
Camp Counselors will report to work at the Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse (825 Warner Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30310) and will work in various locations in and around the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum, and potentially in venues hosted by partner organizations during off-site field trips (rising 4th-6th grade only). Counselors are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse.
To Apply:
Please submit an employment application. Applicants must upload a cover letter and a resume in order to complete and submit the application. In your cover letter, you may share a camp or school experience from childhood, your interest in environmental education, interest in working with underserved communities, etc. A cover letter helps provide more information on your experience that might not be reflected in a resume.
Candidates selected to move forward in the process will be contacted to set-up a brief phone call to answer any questions regarding the position following completion of application (resume and cover letter.) Candidates will then be selected to move forward with an in-person interview. This interview will take place in-person with two education team members. Final candidates will be asked to submit at least 3 references before a conditional offer will be extended.
Background Check Disclaimer:
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All final candidates will be required to pass both a criminal background check and drug screening; adverse results could impact hiring (Trees Atlanta is a participant in the Federal Drug-Free Workplace program).
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All new hires will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States of America. Trees Atlanta in compliance with regulation set by the Department of Homeland Security. Trees Atlanta is a registered E-Verify employer.
