Backyard Basecamp, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in northeast Baltimore City established to (re)connect Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) with urban agriculture, food sovereignty, and just sustainability while growing their relationship with the local ecology through environmental education. Founded in 2019, the organization acquired a 3-acre parcel of urban land and stewards the adjoining 7-acres of City park as part of a project called BLISS Meadows. As the only urban farm and forest center in Frankford, BLISS serves as Backyard Basecamp's nucleus of educational programming and hub for community outreach.

The Fox and Heron Summer Support Educator is the co-manager of children's safety and enjoyment during summer outdoor education program. They assist the Lead Educator in building rapport with families, facilitating outdoor learning activities, monitoring children's safety and wellness, and documenting learning. This position requires a willingness to be outside in a variety of Summer weather conditions, and experience working with children ages 5-13 years old. This position reports to the Camp Director.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Establish Rapport with Family- Earn the trust of children and their guardians by proactively communicating expectations, information, instructions, and anecdotes.

• Provide content for weekly emails to families, including highlights and photos.
• Assist children at drop-off and pick-up, welcoming them to play.
• Be aware of children's allergies, physical abilities, and temperaments.
• Communicate needs and updates with families in person and via telephone.

• Facilitate Outdoor Learning- Establish and maintain a safe and positive learning environment that allows children to foster connections to the natural world.

• Edit and update lesson plans for early childhood environmental education.
• Set up and clean up nature-based learning activities
• Document children's learning and play via writing, photo/ video, and artwork.
• Maintain a safe environment by engaging and redirecting children's behavior.

• Monitor Safety and Wellness

• Follow all emergency and health procedures and COVID-19 protocols.
• Assess natural spaces for hazards and risks before entering, and while occupied.
• Establish rules for outdoor play such as acceptable length of sticks, etc.
• Serve food in accordance with child's dietary needs and safety.
• Supervise at least 30 minutes of rest time after lunch.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

This position requires the ability to work outside in various weather conditions. The Summer Support role is required to walk, sit, and stand for extended periods of time. They must frequently lift or move up to 30 lbs., including wearing a backpack throughout the day.

The qualified candidate must have:

• High School Diploma, or General Educational Development (GED).
• Recent experience teaching in an outdoor setting (within last year).
• At least one year of experience teaching preschool in a licensed childcare, and/or;
• At least one year of experience with teaching at a nature-based summer camp.
• Keen risk management and behavioral authority over outdoor learning environments.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and roles patiently and professionally.
• Ability to pay attention to detail and work as a team.

Salary:

The Summer Support role will be a seasonal employee for 10 weeks, from June 20th, 2032 to August 26th 2023. The rate is $20.00/hour.

Hours: Full time, 35 hours/week. Work schedule is 8:00am – 3:00pm, Monday through Friday with occasional (up to 2) weekend event(s). There is a half-hour lunch break from 12:00pm to 12:30pm daily. (Lunch is provided.)