Dates of Employment: May 16, 2022 – August 13, 2022
Expected Schedule: 6+ days per week 
Reports To: Programs Manager 
Housing Available: Yes (staff are required to live on campus)
Number of Positions Available: 4
Compensation: $600-678 per week base rate, based on tenure and Spanish speaking ability. Housing and food are provided at no additional cost. A housing deposit may be collected.

At Keystone Science School, we believe that the power of inspiring curiosity and critical thinking, through the lens of science, changes lives and strengthens communities. We create future leaders who can problem solve and work together in an ever-evolving world and workplace environment.
 
Located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Keystone Science School’s historic campus serves as base camp for our diverse suite of inquiry-based learning programs. We combine hands-on science education with outdoor adventure to create engaging experiences for our students. At KSS, we change lives, we bring fun and laughter to everything we do, we care about each other and those we serve, we strive for excellence, we offer competitive compensation and generous benefits, and we are committed to serving students from diverse backgrounds. We’re proud to be Summit County’s #1 Best Non-Profit and #2 Best Place to Work (2019)! Visit KeystoneScienceSchool.org to learn more! 

Program Overview and Job Summary

KSS offers day camp programming based out of the KSS campus and a local Summit County elementary school, for local and visiting children grades Kindergarten through 8th. Programming is age specific and full-day, offering educational and recreational activities with weekly science and adventure themes. Each week, campers will participate in hands-on activities, local hikes, arts and crafts, games, leadership, literacy, community building and much more!

The Day Camp Head Counselor is responsible for facilitating a wide variety of curricula and activities and coaching a small group of counselors at one of our programming locations. They are the primary caregiver for each child attending programming, and are responsible for guiding campers in their personal growth and daily living skills.

Head Counselors will need to be familiar with the daily schedule, attendance, and logistics of the Day Camp program. This position will assist in upholding child care licensing standards at each of the designated program locations.

Day Camp counselors will be expected to adhere to dynamic health guidance and policy set forth by KSS while working with children during a global pandemic, which may include living with other counselors in a communal living environment.

Main areas of focus:

• 70% Teaching/Facilitating/Leading activities;  

• 15% Support Staff duties (e.g. taking photos of campers, check-in/out, cleaning, knowledge of space, point of contact to Customer Experience team);

• 10% Coaching and staff support (leading daily check-ins with staff, coaching and feedback at the end of the day).

• 5% Curriculum development and feedback;

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise up to 13 children each day – there could be up to 20 children at a given location; and actively interact with and engage children during KSS programs;

• Prepare, and teach age appropriate activities;

• Maintain high standards of health and safety, and follow Risk Management policies in all activities;

• Oversee the successful execution of logistic and operational tasks for Day Camp programs, which includes but is not limited to: taking photos, check-in/out, etc.;

• Mentor, motivate, and inspire the Day Camp team of counselors at each site;

• Drive a 15-passenger van and successfully complete Van Driver Training;

• Set up before children arrive and clean up after children depart from program campus;

• Maintain storage of all KSS equipment, including teaching materials, gear, keys, toys, etc.;

• Attend and help facilitate all staff meetings and trainings as assigned;

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Minimum Requirements

• Desire to mentor a small group of counselors, gain administrative experience while helping facilitate programming at one of the day camp locations.

• Have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with children 

• Have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with people with diverse backgrounds

• Ability to create an inclusive learning environment for students from a wide range of backgrounds

• Experience with risk management practices of the outdoor and environmental education industry

• Ability to be creative, adaptable, and flexible while managing children in a variety of situations

• Strong work ethic and will work until the job is complete

• Motivation to contribute positively to the KSS at-large community

• Multi-task efficiently while managing a high-volume workload in a fast-paced, changing environment

• Superior customer service skills, with the ability to be creative and think ‘outside the box’

• Ability to work in a busy environment with many distractions

Required Education, Experience, and Certifications

• Candidates will be asked to provide verification of one of the following: (A) 4 year college degree with a major such as recreation, education with a specialty in art, elementary education or early childhood education, or a subject in the human services field; (B) 2 years of college training + 6 months (910 hours) of experience in the care and supervision of 4 or more children since attaining the age of 18;

• Current Wilderness First Aid and CPR certifications, from an approved vendor, or the ability to obtain before the first day of employment.

• Age 20+ with a minimum of 5 years driving experience, excellent driving record, and a valid driver’s license;

• Must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive background check.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to communicate verbally in Spanish;

• Proficiency with Google Drive and CampSite camp management software. 

Required COVID 19 Vaccine Policy
Keystone Science School has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. Individuals hired after January 1, 2022 are required to be either fully vaccinated or partially vaccinated before their start dates. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the revocation of the employment offer. Employees in need of an exemption from this policy due to a medical reason, or because of a sincerely held religious belief must submit a completed Request for Accommodation form to the Human Resources Department to begin the accommodation process. Accommodations will be granted where they do not cause KSS undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.

Equal Employment Opportunity 
Keystone Science School is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, religion, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.