Employment Opportunities

Summary:  Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center in Laconia seeks a friendly and outgoing individual to join our team of educators and nature enthusiasts as a part-time Volunteer Coordinator.

This is a front-facing role responsible for recruiting, scheduling, managing, and developing mutually rewarding relationships with volunteers who bring a variety of skills, interests, and talents to their volunteer work at Prescott Farm.  

The ideal candidate will have excellent organizational skills and enjoy working with people of all ages and backgrounds.  Strong written and verbal communication skills and comfort working with computers to maintain data and correspond with individual volunteers and volunteer groups is also important. 

This is an hourly position working 20 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday as needed with occasional required support for evening events.  There is some schedule flexibility.

Responsibilities:

• Survey staff regularly to assess needs for volunteer assistance
• Recruit, interview and place applicants for volunteer work
• Conduct and/or arrange for volunteer orientation and training
• Schedule all volunteer activity
• Collaborate with program and maintenance staff as well as volunteer team leaders in the development and execution of volunteer service activities
• Establish and steward relationships with volunteers and prospective volunteers in-person, by phone, and in writing on an ongoing basis
• Develop and manage volunteer policies, procedures, and standards of volunteer service
• Organize and participate in volunteer recognition programs and special events
• Maintain accurate records and provide timely statistical and activity reports on volunteer participation
• Provide ongoing support and guidance for volunteers and act as a single point of contact for communications
• Confer with volunteers to resolve grievances and promote cooperation and interest in Prescott Farm

• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to work both collaboratively and independently
• Willingness to learn and work in a variety of computer and online platforms
• Must pass a criminal background check

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED; some college preferred
• 3-5 years minimum job experience; work in the nonprofit sector and/or in a supervisory capacity a plus
• Experience and comfort working with computers required. Software platforms include Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Gmail, and a customer relationship management database with some training provided.

Status:  Hourly, part-time (20 hours/week)

Benefits:  Paid time off for select holidays
Wage:  $16.50-$19 per hour depending on experience
Reports to:  Development & Communications Director

Please e-mail cover letter, resume and 3 references to pgiessler@prescottfarm.org

(seasonal/summer)

Effective Dates: June 17 – August 23, 2024 (partial summer options available)
Reports To: Camp & School Age Programs Director
Salary Level: Starting at $15 – $16.50 per hour, based on experience and education
Working Hours: 36-40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, daytime hours
Employment Status: Temporary, Hourly, Non-exempt

Position Summary

Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center seeks Camp Instructors for lead teaching positions at the WildQuest Camps. Instructors are responsible for daily supervision and instruction of campers ages 5-12. Topics include but are not limited to: natural and physical science, sensory awareness, cooking, gardening, and team building. Teaching is through hands-on and inquiry methods that encourage exploration, self-directed learning, and stewardship of the natural environment. Camp Instructors are also asked to act as mentor counselors to our Leaders-in-Training (LIT) and Junior Counselors (JC).

WildQuest Summer Camp employment involves working Monday, June 17 – Friday, August 23, 2024 which includes one week of paid staff training and nine weekly camp sessions. The mandatory week-long training session is on Monday, June 17 through Friday, June 21, 2023 from 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. During the camp sessions, Instructors typically work Monday through Friday 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m., with the exception of 1-3 shifts of extended care coverage: before care starts at 8a.m. and after care ends at 5p.m.

Full and partial summer commitment available.

Responsibilities:

Camper Safety & Program Implementation

• Supervise campers’ safety and facilitate a group of campers utilizing inclusive, proactive, and positive behavioral management methods.
• Lead campers in team-building activities, games, songs, and activities connected to the camp themes.
• Help build a sense of community among campers and encourage positive self-esteem of campers.
• Employ inquiry-based teaching methods to stimulate
• Be a role model for campers by being properly prepared for the day’s weather, including wearing the appropriate gear and depicting a positive outlook.

Effective & Timely Communication

• Arrive on time for all scheduled days.
• Communicate any anticipated and emergency time off in a timely manner with the Camp Director.
• Participate in camp staff meetings at the beginning and end of each day.
• Communicate camper health and behavior concerns with the Camp Director.
• Document accidents and incidents in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Use the Prescott Farm 2-way radios to communicate with other staff members during the day.

Collaborative Camp Community

• Working often with a co-instructor and sometimes independently, lead programs and activities for campers on a variety of science and nature topics to groups of up to 12 campers (ages 5-12).
• Participate in working AM and PM extended care coverage on a rotating schedule.
• Successfully mentor and foster opportunities for successful interaction between campers, LITs, and JCs.
• Share in maintenance of program.
• Enhance existing curriculum with creative and thought-provoking ideas and activities.
• Conduct programming indoors as well as outdoors in any type of weather.
• Take initiative in problem solving, fostering effective interaction between campers, staff and parents.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Work Environment

• Activities take place throughout our 160-acre property with over 3 miles of trails through woods and fields. Trail and other program areas may be rocky, wet, muddy, buggy, or sloped. Unless safety is a severe concern (such as thunderstorms), we live by the saying, “There’s no bad weather, only bad gear.”
• Work with domesticated animals such as chickens, a rabbit, a turtle, and honeybees (direct interaction with the honeybees will be limited to staff with proper training, comfort, and safety gear).
• Staff will also encounter wild animals which may include insects, snakes, frogs, spiders, salamanders, and native mammals. While Prescott Farm does its best to deter animals in high traffic areas that may cause harm (such as ticks or yellowjackets), as an environmental center, we are not able to predict exactly where these animals will be and avoid taking measures that cause unnecessary harm to our surrounding environment.
• Dress in accordance with dress code requirements and appropriate for a youth education environment. A camp staff t-shirt will be provided for staff to wear on Mondays.
• Staff will receive one-on-one feedback throughout the summer from the Camp Director. All staff will receive a written evaluation at the end of the summer.
• Staff are encouraged to provide feedback as a means of enhancing the future camp program experience.
• WildQuest Camp is an opportunity for campers and staff to strengthen their connection with our natural environment. While staff should have their cellphones accessible for emergencies, cell phones should be out of sight when campers and their families are present. The camp and main Prescott Farm office are available for staff to use for computer, cell phone, and other internet needs.

Qualifications:

• 16 years old minimum, per NH camp licensing requirements.
• An interest in working with Previous camp or teaching experience is desirable but not required.
• Ability to maintain safety and manage a group of campers in a fun and positive Must be willing to follow all Prescott Farm health and safety rules.
• Ability to model responsible behavior to campers while sharing a sincere interest in the natural and environmental sciences, outdoor skills, and Previous experience teaching camp topics is desirable but not required.
• Ability to function comfortably outdoors in a variety of weather conditions (cold, hot, rain, ).
• Creative individual with ability to work independently and as part of a
• Candidate should enjoy working in a busy camp community, be flexible and highly dependable.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and leadership Comfort with public speaking, constantly interacting with campers, their families, volunteers, and other staff.
• First aid and CPR certification required prior to the start of A course will be provided at Prescott Farm the week before staff training week for staff who are not certified.
• Ability to move program  equipment and supplies up to 40 lbs. and navigate nature trails under any weather
• Must pass a background check according to NH DHHS rules and Prescott Farm’s

Pay & Benefits:

• Pay starts at $15-$16.50/hour, based on level of education and relevant experience.
• $250 early sign-on bonus for staff commitments made by February 29, 2024, paid following the successful completion of the contracted weeks.
• Consistent and predictable scheduling. Weekday and daytime only.
• First Aid & CPR training provided at no cost for staff who are not currently certified and able to attend the course at Prescott Farm. Staff not able to attend the provided course will responsible to obtain the certification on their own.
• Ongoing feedback and development to help staff grow within our organization and in other future pursuits.

To Apply:

Email a resume or fill out this application and email it to Chris Wellens, Camp Director at cwellens@prescottfarm.org with “Camp Instructor Application” in the subject line. Applications accepted until all positions are filled.

Status: Per diem, schedule varies throughout year
Compensation: Hourly, TBD based on experience

Position Summary

Field teachers at Prescott Farm will lead small groups of students from area schools in hands-on discovery of ecological concepts and occasionally lead or co-lead non-school group programs. Field teachers encourage program participants’ awareness of, and sense of connection to, the natural world, as well as foster a sense of wonder and a sense of place.

Responsibilities

• Attend field teacher training classes (2-day initial training and occasional professional development)
• Observe/shadow experienced environmental educators leading programs
• Lead groups of 10-20 students
• Guide student investigation through hands-on activities
• Assist staff in organization of program materials
• Convey Prescott Farm’s mission through our educational programs
• Participate in planning and/or organizational meetings as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Teaching experience/or experience working with children
• Basic natural history science background, local natural history a plus
• Interest in natural history and environmental education
• Enthusiasm & creativity
• Must be responsible and prompt
• Successful completion of Field Teacher training
• Flexible schedule is a must (we need staff for both weekday and weekend programs)
• Must pass a background check

To Apply

Please send a letter of interest and your resume via email to Jude Hamel, Executive Director, jhamel@prescottfarm.org.