Nature Day Camp Paid Jobs (ages 16+)

Information
Campers posing
Spend your summer as a nature educator Nature Day Camp! We offer positions working with children in nature, mentoring teen volunteers, and leading small teams of paid staff. Positions are available for people with no experience, some experience, and a lot of experience.
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Summer 2025 Job Application - Coming Soon!

We anticipate Summer 2025 job applications to be available in January. Visit the City of Portland's Job Opportunities page for more information.

Environmental Education's Nature Day Camp offers eight weeks of summer camps throughout Portland. Camps have a nature theme and offer an opportunity for educators to explore and learn with small groups of children ages 5-12. Learn more about Nature Day Camp.

We are looking for people who are...

  • Patient, flexible, responsible, and enthusiastic.
  • Curious about nature and excited to be outdoors in all types of weather.
  • Willing to learn, grow, and be challenged to try new things.
  • Comfortable and confident when talking to children and adults.
  • Eager to be part of an active and respectful team.

Dates of employment - Vary by position

Nature Day Camps for children take place June through August.

  • All staff work Monday through Friday. Staff will not report to work on June 19, and July 5.
  • Hours vary on the position. See each job description below for specific details. 
  • Everyone is responsible for getting themselves to the assigned site each week.  
  • Optional camp wrap-up days are the week after camp ends. 

Required training days for all positions

Please make sure you can get to each of these parks on foot or by car, bike, or public transportation.

  • Approximate dates for 2025: Coming soon!
  • Approximate times: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Topics at staff training will include, but is not limited to, managing groups of children, safety at camp, child development, ecology of the Pacific Northwest, communication with parents, and promoting unstructured play in nature. We also spend time each day becoming friends, building rapport, team-building, and understanding our roles as mentors and teachers.

CPR/First Aid - All staff will take part in a Medic CPR and First Aid class offered by Portland Parks & Recreation. 

Severe Allergic Reactions and Medication Administration - All staff 18 and over are asked to attend three additional hours of training. Times and dates are TBD, but training takes place in early June. 

Planning days for Support Staff 

  • Early June - Exact dates coming soon! | Flexible weekday hours, part-time. Remote work and in-person at Lair Hill Park and Carnegie office 

Training days for returning Nature Day Camp Staff (all staff from Summer 2022, 2023 and 2024) 

  • The week before staff training |Final Time and Date TBD. In-person at Lair Hill Park 

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Nature Educator I

Wages: $18.00 per hour

Status: Closed

Deadline: March 24, 2024 @ 11:59 PM

Dates of employment: June 17 - August 16, 2024

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00am - 4:00pm. Includes a 30-minute paid lunch.

Eligibility: At least 16 years old by June 17, 2024. No experience necessary, but you SHOULD genuinely like science, nature, children, and be interested in learning about outdoor education. Click application above for additional details.

Summary of duties:

  • Work outside in Portland's parks and natural areas
  • Collaborate with other educators to lead nature-themed activities
  • Build relationships with campers and families
  • Lead games, activities, and help children connect to nature

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Nature Educator II

Wages: $19.00 - $20.00 per hour

Status: Closed

Deadline: March 24, 2024 @ 11:59 PM

Dates of employment: June 17 - August 16, 2024

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00am - 4:00pm, includes a 30-minute paid lunch.

Eligibility:  At least 18 years old by June 17, 2024. See application above for additional qualifications.

Summary of duties:

  • Create safe spaces for campers to explore and observe the natural world. 
  • Plan the daily group schedule and lead organized activities that promote nature play. 
  • Assist the Support Staff with the daily participant check in and check out process.
  • Work with Team Leads and other Support Staff to create an engaging and interactive day for participants.
  • Communicate with parents/guardians and work together to solve logistical and behavioral problems as needed. 
  • Teach and lead groups using various teaching methods.
  • Use creative techniques to help campers transition between activities.
  • Act as role models and mentors for Educator I’s and Junior Educator Participants.

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Nature Day Camp Team Lead

Wages: $21.00 - $22.00 per hour

Status: Closed

Deadline: March 24, 2024 @ 11:59 PM

Dates of employment: Approximately June 10 – August 21, 2024

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00am - 4:00pm, includes a 30-minute paid lunch.

Eligibility: At least 21 years old by June 17, 2024. See application above for additional qualifications.

Summary of duties:

  • Mentor a small team of educators and their camp groups. This includes, but is not limited to: leading meetings, providing physical or emotional support, role modeling games or activities, and giving feedback. 
  • Work with fellow camp staff to plan, organize, and lead nature-themed activities, crafts, and rotations.
  • Help educators with camper check-in and check-out process each day.
  • Lead and assist with daily staff meetings and conduct ongoing staff performance evaluations.
  • Communicate any logistical and behavioral issues to staff, campers, and families as needed each day.
  • Coordinate, plan, and implement staff break schedules for your assigned team.   
  • Fill in for educators who are unable to work because of illness or injury.
  • Act as role models and mentors for Junior Educator Participants.

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Nature Day Camp Activities Lead

Wages: $21.00 - $22.00 per hour

Status: Closed

Deadline: March 24, 2024 @ 11:59 PM

Dates of employment: Approximately June 10 – August 21, 2024

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00am - 4:00pm, includes a 30-minute paid lunch.

Eligibility: At least 21 years old by June 17, 2024. See application above for additional qualifications.

Summary of duties:

  • Plan and lead weekly crafts and rotations for all participants.
  • Work with Educators to co-create age specific, nature-themed activities for camper groups.
  • Prepare lesson plans, oversee planning and weekly flow of activities for all of camp. This includes but is not limited to: weekly talent shows, skit days, all group games and songs.
  • Obtain supplies for camp groups, transport camp supplies and equipment to and from work locations. You may need access to a personal vehicle, you may need to take some supplies home each day. There is reimbursement for mileage.

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Nature Day Camp Wellness Lead

Wages: $23.00 - $24.00 per hour

Status: Closed

Deadline: March 24, 2024 @ 11:59 PM

Dates of employment: Approximately June 10 – August 21, 2024

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00am - 4:00pm, includes a 30-minute paid lunch.

Eligibility: At least 21 years old by June 17, 2024. Driver's license and acceptable five-year driving record required. See application above for additional qualifications.

Summary of duties:

  • Collect and fill out reports for camper behavioral incidents. Communicate incidents to Support Staff and guardians by the end of each day.
  • Review participant health forms each week using online health form system; communicate this information to Educators and  Support Staff.
  • Intake and process camper medication forms; check in and out camper medication each day.
  • Administer medications to campers, document all medication administration and accident reports.
  • Spend time with campers or groups who need additional support – behavioral, emotional, or by providing first aid.

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Nature Day Camp Junior Educator Lead

Wages: $23.00 - $24.00 per hour

Status: Closed

Deadline: March 24, 2024 @ 11:59 PM

Dates of employment: Approximately June 10 – August 21, 2024

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00am - 4:00pm, includes a 30-minute paid lunch.

Eligibility: At least 21 years old by June 17, 2024. See application above for additional qualifications.

Summary of duties:

  • Oversee Junior Educator program with a co-lead to: lead and support teens who participate as volunteers in two weeks of Nature Day Camp. 
  • Mentor teens while they gain job skills as educators.
  • Plan and facilitate Junior Educator orientation and training days. 
  • Organize and lead nature-themed activities for the whole camp with other staff.
  • Ensure Junior Educators are checked in and out of Camp and understand their role each day.
  • Provide written and verbal feedback to support growth and skill development.

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Nature Day Camp Site Lead

Wages: $23.00 - $24.00 per hour

Status: CLOSED

Deadline: March 24, 2024 @ 11:59 PM

Dates of employment: Approximately June 10 – August 21, 2024

Work Schedule:

  • AM Site Lead: Monday – Friday, 7:45 am – 4:15 pm, includes a 30-minute unpaid lunch.
  • PM Site Lead: Monday - Friday, 9:30 am – 6:00pm, includes a 30-minute unpaid lunch.

Eligibility: At least 21 years old by June 17, 2024. Driver's license and acceptable five-year driving record required. See application above for additional qualifications.

Summary of duties (Please see the application for the full list of responsibilities):

  • Support and oversee camp flow: lead daily meetings, help plan activities, assist with staff lunches and breaks. Spend time each day shadowing, observing, mentoring staff.
  • Conduct and oversee ongoing staff performance evaluations.
  • Work with the Nature Day Camp Coordinator to plan and organize six days of all-staff training and mid-summer staff enrichment day.
  • Coordinate onsite logistics: camper attendance, fill out staff timesheets, collect health or accident reports, or other administrative tasks.
  • Transport camp supplies and equipment to and from locations. You will need access to a personal vehicle and may need to take some supplies home each day. There is reimbursement for mileage.

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Inclusion Assistants for Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation (AIR) - Check back here for applications when they are posted!

Children of all abilities and interests are welcome to participate in our programs. If you are interested in working as a Social Emotional Support (SES) Worker, or an Inclusion Assistant, please click the link above to apply.

Find out more information about our Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation program here


Frequently asked questions

Can I apply if I need a week off during the summer?

Yes - feel free to apply. We try our best to accommodate time off requests that are reasonable, as we believe that all staff should practice a healthy work-life balance. We also recognize that this program requires staff who are largely available and committed to work the full summer. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to work around it, but we can and will still invite you to an interview.

Who should I contact if I have questions or need help?

Contact Rose at rose.ramirez@portlandoregon.gov or call/text at 503-729-7854. 

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Unpaid positions - Junior Educator (ages 13-16)

 Junior Educator Program (Ages 13-16, no experience necessary but you should like science, nature, and children.)
See the Junior Educator page for all details.

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Contact

Location

Park Location or Entrance
SE 60th Avenue and Salmon Street
Portland, OR 97215
Park Location or Entrance
SE 7th Avenue and Sellwood Blvd
Portland, OR 97202
Park Location or Entrance
SE 7th Avenue and Miller Street
Portland, OR 97202

Hoyt Arboretum

Arboretum
Park Location or Entrance
4000 SW Fairview Blvd
Portland, OR 97221
Park Location or Entrance
16160 SE Powell Blvd
Portland, OR 97236