Shield Ranch Foundation (SRF) is seeking a Campsite Education Director to lead its long-standing El Ranchito program, a nature immersion residential camp for underserved youth. Year-round, the Campsite Education Director develops and leads experiential environmental education, conservation program for all ages and youth programs on Shield Ranch, primarily at the Campsite.
Campsite Education Director reports to the Executive Director of the Shield Ranch Foundation.
Campsite Education Director manages all aspects of Camp El Ranchito, including residential summer Nature Discovery Camp and Conservation Corps and a new spring break camp, Outdoor Girl. El Ranchito is a scholarship-based camp created to provide transformative nature immersion experiences for youth who otherwise may not have the opportunity. In new off-grid facilities set on a Hill Country ranch, campers intimately experience living in a community outdoors. Year-round, the Campsite hosts an all-ages audience of community groups for day and overnight use. The campsite Education Director engages groups by providing programming related to environmental enrichment, sustainability and conservation specific to the ecosystems of the Texas Hill Country using an informal science approach.
Camp El Ranchito Responsibilities
- Planning – Work with the SRF Executive Director and Trustees to develop strategic plans for Nature Discovery Camp (NDC) and Conservation Corps (CC), including program growth.
- Programs and Curriculum – Oversee the development of a diverse, high quality nature immersion curriculum that sparks transformative experiences, makes distinct use of our natural and cultural resources, is interdisciplinary, educational, and age appropriate.
- Personnel – Oversee recruitment, hiring and training of approximately 20 seasonal camp staff; manage, support and empower NDC & CC directors. Establish and maintain respectful, supportive and compassionate relationships with staff.
- Camper Recruitment – Guide outreach efforts to recruit eligible campers; work with Family Liaison to fill camp sessions, and track registration process.
- Health and Safety – Ensure that camp is a safe environment. Oversee the annual review and revision of all policy and training procedures and materials relating to the health and safety of campers and staff. Plan and lead staff training. Contribute information about camp and staff for insurance policies.
- Risk Assessment – Oversee the annual review of all aspects of camp operations (site issues, transportation, activities, etc.) that present risks to campers and liability exposure to Foundation.
- Administration – Develop and maintain budgets and prepare financial reports for review and approval by SRF Executive Director and Trustees; report on El Ranchito for staff and Trustees; document camp season with photos and demographics; design and report camper and staff evaluations. Prepare partner agreements (with appropriate legal counsel) for approval by the SRF Executive Director.
- Communications – Contribute content related to El Ranchito for website and social media; serve as a spokesperson for camp.
- Development – Collect and share stories from the field to support fundraising efforts. Contribute to annual appeals and grant applications and reports. Help plan and lead El Ranchito Partner Days. Participate in donor cultivation and stewardship activities.
- Year-round Programs – Develop, organize and conduct programming related to informal science and environmental enrichment, sustainability and conservation specific to the Texas Hill Country. Lead educational tours, nature walks and hands-on conservation projects outdoors at Shield Ranch. Facilitate experiential learning that engages youth and adult audiences with a range of backgrounds, knowledge and familiarity with the outdoors. Manage group’s physical safety in outdoor settings using sound judgment and applying appropriate risk management decisions; administer and document first aid as needed.
- Curriculum – Develop and implement a Handbook for Nature Immersion that articulates and evaluates the environmental learning of Camp El Ranchito and the year-round Campsite Program Menu. Interpret Rocky Creek Habitat Restoration Project efforts through hands-on learning, tours, and signage/web text.
- Personnel – Collaborate with staff, host and lead other programming with Shield Land Stewardship Group (who manage land and conservation for the larger Shield Ranch), on hands-on conservation for interested Campsite guests.
- Administration – Assist supervisor with budget development and management. Document, evaluate and adapt programming in a growing operation.
- Communications – Contribute content related to the Campsite for website and social media.
- Development – Collect and share stories from the field to support fundraising efforts. Contribute to annual appeals and grant applications and reports. Participate in donor cultivation and stewardship activities.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Cultivate an inclusive learning environment by delivering culturally relevant content, by presenting multiple and balanced perspectives and by connecting instruction to participants’ lives and community. Encourage open dialogue and frequent communications with the staff about the organization’s DE&I values, goals and strategy. Work closely with the SRF Executive Director to visibly support DE&I as they engage with the larger community in their role with the organization. Maintain a strong awareness of diversity issues and trends.
Campsite Education Responsibilities
Required Skills/ Experience/ Qualifications
- Minimum five years of relevant camp experience.
- Minimum two years of formal or informal teaching experience, including environmental education, science education or residential outdoor education.
- Bachelor’s degree/equivalent experience in science, environmental or multidisciplinary studies, or a relevant field.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Experience hiring, training and overseeing employees.
- Ability to work outdoors and in all weather conditions on uneven terrain, sometimes performing physically challenging conservation work.
- Ability to live on-site during camp seasons, and to work flexible hours off-season, including evenings and occasional weekends.
- Knowledge of practices of conservation and trail management.
- Current Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification or willingness to complete training shortly after employment.
Preferred Skills/ Experience/ Qualifications
- Bilingual Spanish speaking
- Experience with curriculum development.
Are you this amazing leader? Here is what we have to offer you:
- An established 16-year-old nature immersion camp with many community partnerships.
- A team of dedicated employees who are mission-driven and passionate about working together to create an extraordinary organization and community offering.
- A new artfully designed and sustainably built off-grid Campsite facility on a unique protected property respected for its conservation practices only 20 miles from downtown Austin.
- A growing organization with an opportunity to contribute to its development.
Salary: $65,000
Benefits: Health insurance, life insurance, 401(k), holidays, vacation, sick time, and other benefits offered by the Shield Ranch Foundation.
Qualified applicants may send a cover letter and resume to info@shieldranch.com. Posting will close on Nov. 28, 2022.
