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Naturalist and Camp Coordinator
Job Code:2022-GCVC-005
Location:Reno
State:Nevada
Program:Galena Creek Visitor Center
Contract Length:8 Months
  

Job Description:
This position is responsible for assisting with preparing and implementing “Great Basin Naturalists”, Environmental Science camps and STEM-based curriculum for school field studies. This is an AmeriCorps position with the Great Basin Institute located within the Galena Creek Recreation Area. 

The Galena Creek recreation area includes Washoe County and U.S. Forest Service lands, and is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. High desert, forest, river, wetland, mountain, and rangeland are all ecosystems you will find within our 450-acre regional park. The Great Basin Institute serves as the interpretive association operating the Galena Creek Visitor Center (GCVC) on a day-to-day basis. The Visitor Center is a resource for people throughout the Reno/Tahoe community, as well as a stop for tourists coming from around the world. Our goal is to provide local youth with opportunities to experience the outdoors in a safe, fun, and engaging setting, and to provide academic, STEM education.

Description: 
• Assist with the planning, implementation, and teaching of Great Basin Institute at Galena Environmental Science Education Field Study Programs comprising theme-based activities that capitalize on the unique natural setting of Galena Creek Park and the Sierra Nevada region. Themes include natural and cultural history topics such as Animals, Plants, Water, Ecosystems, etc. that allow children to experience the outdoors through discovery-based, STEM education;
• Assist in implementation of the Great Basin Institute at Galena’s Camps and School Field Studies (school field trips) to ensure the success and safety of these programs. School Break Camps and Overnight/Extended School Field Studies include hands-on games, hikes, educational activities, teambuilding, field trips, guest presenters, exploration and play.
• Staff and Students/campers stay in the beautiful Camp WeChMe Lodge for summer camp and may stay at the Lodge for other seasonal camps;
• Assist with the comprehensive summer camp program serving children ages 8-17. Includes planning, marketing, promotion, scheduling, educating, execution of activities, and evaluation;
• Assist in training and coordinating Educators, Counselors, and Counselors-in-Training;
• Assist with the registration process and logistics related to camp and residential school field studies. Provide the highest level of service to parents, Educators, Counselors and students/campers;
• Create environmental education curriculum and train counselor staff to deliver curriculum to students and youth both in the field and in the classroom during the Spring and Fall, assist with summer camp educating as needed;
• Enforce camp policies, procedures and regulations;
• Recognize and respond effectively to emergencies;
• Compile statistics and reports to assess and evaluate the success of camps and residential school field studies. Utilize online survey tool and personal interviews to gather parent and teacher feedback;
• Drive an 11-passenger van transporting up to 10 students for field trips and other off-site activities. Driver’s training will be provided;
• Staying overnight at the WeChMe Lodge, with the Summer Camp Counselors for at least 2 nights a week, required;
• Camps include Spring Break Camp and Summer Camp, as well as a Fall Break two-day Camp. Summer Camp includes 24 hr/day, Monday-Friday residence at WeChMe Lodge. You will be given breaks and one night off each week. Residential and Extended-Day School Field Studies entail 10 hour days and occur as booked;
• Develop and enhance discovery-based, STEM curriculum for day and residential outdoor education school field studies;
• Lead in assuring the safety of students and campers;
• Present clear, well-organized educational programs that exemplify professional delivery, thematic development, and cohesive structure that are consistently appropriate for the activity and the audience;
• Communicate effectively and develop relationships with participating teachers, parents and chaperones;
• Assist with staffing the GCVC  information desk 1-3 days a week, providing customer service, and assisting in daily upkeep of the GCVC; and
• Work with Program Manager on other tasks and duties as assigned.
 

Contract Timeline:
This is a 1200 hour AmeriCorps service term for 33 weeks. Ideal start date: January 8, 2024 and extending through the end of August 2024.

Location:
The Galena Creek recreation area includes Washoe County and U.S. Forest Service lands, and is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. High desert, forest, river, wetland, mountain, and rangeland are all ecosystems you will find within our 450-acre regional park. The Great Basin Institute serves as the interpretive association operating the Galena Creek Visitor Center (GCVC) on a day-to-day basis. The Visitor Center is a resource for people throughout the Reno/Tahoe community, as well as a stop for tourists coming from around the world.

Compensation and Benefits:
This is an AmeriCorps position; candidates will receive a living allowance dependent on their length of service. The living allowance is a fixed amount, not an hourly wage or a salary. The allowance is paid to members in biweekly installments throughout their term of service. Upon completion of AmeriCorps service members shall receive an additional education award also dependent on the length of service that can be used for paying off student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college.

•Living Allowance: approximately $525.04 every two weeks before taxes.
•Education Award: $4,826.50
•Shared, on-site housing available to hired individuals for the duration of your term, at no charge - Savings of about $1,000/month!
•Free training includes, but is not limited to: First aid and CPR certification & mandated reporter training

•Insurance:
Limited Health, Dental and Vision Insurance will be completely paid for at no cost to you by the Great Basin Institute. Saving about $350/month!

•Student Loan Forbearance:
If you are currently paying on any federal student loans you have the option to put those loans into forbearance during your time as an AmeriCorps volunteer, that will allow you to cease payments while serving.

•Interest Accrual Repayment:
As AmeriCorps alum, you are eligible to have the National Service Trust pay all or a portion of the interest that accumulated on your qualified student loan(s) during your term of service. These payments are made in addition to the Education Award, and are not deducted from your Education Award balance. To be eligible to have accrued interest paid: The loan must have been placed in forbearance for the service period, and you must have successfully completed a term of service and received an Education Award.

•Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility:
AmeriCorps Volunteers qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Nevada Conservation Corps will provide you documentation in proving that you qualify for SNAP.

•Educational Affiliation Agreements (College Credit):
The Nevada Conservation Corps will take part in Affiliation Agreements with your university in order to allow you to receive college credit hours for your term of service.

Job Qualifications:
• GED, Associates Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree in early education, communication, or the natural sciences;  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, particularly in customer service; 
• Strong leadership skills;
• Experience working with K-12 students; 
• Campfire skills (singing, storytelling, being silly) desirable;
• Enthusiasm and commitment to youth outdoor education; 
• Able to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, and otherwise maintain good physical condition;
• Comfortable working a varied schedule where some days are longer than 8-hrs and some are shorter, keeping in mind overnight camps are a 24-hour on-call situation with the kids;
• Able to hike up to 3 miles in a single day;
• Looking for applicants who are fun, adaptable, and optimistic;
• Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status; Must be at least 17 years of age; Received a high school diploma or GED (or be willing to achieve this before using education award); Eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or equivalent of 2 full-time awards), and Pass state and federal criminal background checks.
 

Beginning March 24th, 2023 Great Basin Institute no longer requires COVID-19 vaccination of our program participants, staff or volunteers. GBI still encourages all employees to maintain a current vaccination status with boosters as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
As GBI continues serving our partners and administering to their unique jurisdictional requirements, the Institute utilizes resources published by the CDC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as well as COVID-19 community-level stipulations.
We recognize people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines. GBI encourages an informed approach to ensuring the health and safety of ourselves, our workplaces, and our communities. COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, safety, and the benefits of being vaccinated, are available HERE.

To review a copy of GBI’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, please visit our Field Updates page for more details. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please do not hesitate to contact one of our staff members.
 
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EEO Statement
We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.