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Summer Camp Counselor
Job Code:2022-GCVC-006
Location:Reno
State:Nevada
Program:Galena Creek Visitor Center
Contract Length:3 Months
  

Job Description:
This position will be responsible for assisting with the implementation of 8 weeks of Great Basin Institute at Galena Summer Exploration Day Camp. These are Environmental Science camps using STEM-based curriculum. This is an AmeriCorps position with the Great Basin Institute located within the Galena Creek Recreation Area, Reno, NV.

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: 
• Seeking 4 Summer Camp Counselors for 8-week AmeriCorps positions beginning on Monday, May 20th, 2024 and extending through Saturday, August 10th, 2024. Camp Counselors will assist Naturalists with the implementation of Great Basin Institute at Galena Summer Exploration Camp;
• Beginning the week of June 10th, 2024 and extending until August 9th, 2024. Each week of day camp will last 5 days (Monday-Friday); programming begins at 8:30 a.m. each day and ends at 5:00 p.m. All curriculums are STEAM with themed activities which center around the unique natural setting of the Galena Creek Regional Park. Camp themes relate to the natural and cultural-history of the area including topics like animals, plants, ecosystems, geology, survival, conservation, and more;
• Camp Counselors will assist Naturalists to facilitate camp programming, supervise participants and enforce Camp and Visitor Center rules, lead engaging games and crafts, guide hikes in the park, and oversee exploration-time and play. Camp counselors will work to facilitate memorable outdoor programming that safely engages youth in the natural world;
• Camp counselors will be asked to assist with general community outreach at the Galena Creek Visitor Center including hosting the Center’s front desk, facilitating toddler and homeschool programs, leading guided nature hikes in the park, assisting with special events, and more; 
• Assist Naturalists with the implementation and delivery of effective environmental science education curriculum in the field every day for youth between the ages of 8 and 17- prepare to teach 5-10 educational lessons per week; may be asked to deliver virtual youth programs;
• Assist in the preparation and delivery of program curriculum at Galena including all 8 weeks of Summer Exploration Camp and community-outreach programs;
• Lead summer camp games and crafts, support daily guided hikes, supervise exploration and free play, and other camp activities;
• Ensure the safety of Galena Creek Visitor Center program participants by enforcing and following all GBI and Washoe County Park policies and procedures, and general program/park rules;
• Prepare, teach and facilitate clear, well-organized activities that are professional, thematic, engaging, cohesive, and appropriate for the activity and audience;
• Recognize and assist in responding effectively during emergencies;
• Communicate effectively and maintain strong relationships with program participants, students, teachers, parents, guardians, partners, supervisors, and co-workers);
• Applicants must help maintain clear logistical operations, and promote a kind and considerate work environment;
• May be asked to support the transportation of camp scholarship recipients to and from camp (this would require the driving of an 11-passenger van after training);
• Assist in the daily upkeep of the visitor center and program supplies including sweeping, mopping, disinfecting surfaces, cleaning restrooms, etc;
• Provide impeccable customer service to all program participants and Visitor Center guests, effectively responding to visitor and participant questions and concerns.
 

 

Contract Timeline:
This is a 450 hour AmeriCorps service term for 11 weeks beginning on Tuesday, May 20th and extends through Saturday, August 10th, 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. Our goal is to provide local youth with opportunities to experience the outdoors in a safe, fun, and engaging setting, and to provide hands on STEM education.

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 $500 every two weeks before taxes;
•Education Award: $1,824.07 upon completion of hours and contract date;
•Shared, on-site housing available to hired individuals for the duration of your term, at NO CHARGE!
•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.

•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:
• Partial-completion of a higher education degree in environmental science, natural resources, K-12 education, community outreach, recreation, or other related field;  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, particularly in customer service; 
• Solid foundational knowledge of environmental science topics (plants, animals, geology, ecosystems, etc.) and interest in learning about Sierra Nevada and Great Basin Ecosystems;
• Experience working with K-12 students; 
• Campfire skills (song leading, guitar, storytelling) desirable;
• Enthusiasm and commitment to youth outdoor education; 
• Applicants fluent in both Spanish and English are highly encouraged to apply
• 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;
• Able to hike up to 3 miles in a single day; 
• Looking for applicants who are flexible, adaptable, and optimistic; and
• 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.
 

As part of Great Basin Institute’s Covid-19 Vaccination Policy, all employees are required to receive and provide proof of a full course of COVID-19 vaccine prior to the first day of employment, unless a medical or religious exemption is submitted and approved. All employees covered by this policy are required to be fully vaccinated as a term and condition of employment at Great Basin Institute. Employees are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing primary vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine, with, if applicable, at least the minimum recommended interval between doses.

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.