Employment Opportunities

JOB TITLE: Summer Camp Co-Leader (2 positions)
White Memorial is looking for a Summer Camp Co-Leader for 3 weeks, spanning from July 7-25, 2025 (plus a few paid training/preparation dates beforehand and clean-up dates afterward, TBD). This person will work together with another Camp Co-Leader to prepare and facilitate an onsite nature program called Discovery Camp, geared for children entering grades 1 and 2. Camp itineraries from the past can be used in conjunction with fresh ideas and activities. The camp’s “homebase” will be a small one-room building called the Mott Van Winkle Classroom. Many hiking trails are accessible from this location. The camp runs on weekdays for 3 weeks, from 9:30am-3:30pm. Employees are asked to work from 9am-4pm at $17/hour. Shared housing may be available if needed.
Tasks may include, but are not limited to:
– Prepare and facilitate nature-related activities for young children, including onsite hikes, crafts, games, and story times
– Supervise and provide enriching activities for up to 12 1st and 2nd graders at a time
– Lead children on moderate-level hikes leaving from the “homebase” on White Memorial property and lasting up to 1 hour
– Deal with any first aid issues that may arise
– Attend training session(s) to learn lesson plans and develop any additional plans necessary for the facilitation of camp
– Attend a training session on the administration of emergency medications
– Manage the upkeep of a small meeting space and all the necessary program materials stored within it
– Oversee arrival and pick-up times (9:30 am and 3:30 pm respectively)
– Oversee lunch time (kids will bring their own lunches)
– Communicate with parents about any scheduling conflicts on their part or behavioral issues that may arise
– Always carry attendance sheets, registration forms with emergency info, and medications brought by the children
– Keep a daily log of activities and time frames
– Disinfect the meeting space daily
– Clean the meeting space at the end of the 4-week period and put all program materials back in proper storage containers
Qualifications:
– Must be at least 18 years of age
– Completion of at least 1-3 years of college education in the fields of environmental education, natural history interpretation, conservation biology, elementary education, or a related field preferred. Equivalent experience may be considered.
– Prior experience working with young children
– Enthusiasm for interacting with children and teaching them about the natural world
– Comfort in speaking publicly and managing groups of up to 12 children, both in a classroom setting and on the trail
– Proficient knowledge of the area’s natural history
– A valid driver’s license
– Current First Aid certification (or the ability to obtain before June 15, 2025)
– An updated physical within 36 months (or the ability to obtain one before June 15, 2025)
– A background check once employment is secured
How to Apply:
Applications are due by April 21. Please send a cover letter stating the specific job title(s) you are applying for, a resume, and a list of 3 references to Carrie Szwed, Education Director, at [email protected], or mail to: White Memorial Conservation Center, P.O. Box 368, 80 Whitehall Rd., Litchfield, CT 06759
Job Title: Wildlife Research Technician (Seasonal)
Job Description:
The White Memorial Conservation Center and Foundation are in Litchfield and Morris, Connecticut. White Memorial is guided by four principles: Research, Conservation, Recreation, and Education. The Research program focuses on conserving native biodiversity, studying the ecology of the region, and restoring habitats. This job involves working with various wildlife conservation and other natural resource monitoring projects throughout the summer season on a 4000-acre wildlife refuge in northwestern Connecticut. Projects include the following organisms: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Working occasionally in forests, wetlands, and aquatic ecosystems. Responsibilities include data collection, specimen collection, and working with and maintaining technical equipment. Prior experience with protocols for passive acoustic recording for bats and water quality monitoring will be prioritized. Field equipment such as GPS units and other digital instruments will be used and must be maintained. This is a 40-hour per week paid position working Monday through Friday with occasional Saturdays and dawn/dusk hours, between early-May and late-September. Schedule can vary by applicant’s availability. This is an hourly paid position ($16.50/hr.). Housing is available.
The Seasonal Research Technician reports directly to the Research Director.
Job Qualifications:
· Bachelor of Science in biology, ecology, natural resource management, environmental science, or other related discipline.
· Familiar with all Connecticut wildlife species, including but not limited to birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Proficiency in identifying these species will be prioritized but the ability to efficiently learn diagnostic characters used to identify all species by direct observation or by evidence such as call/song, tracks, scat, or other sign is important. Knowledgeable of management and conservation initiatives with all wildlife species within the state of Connecticut and southern New England.
· Familiarity with standard protocols for data collection in a variety of environments.
· Familiar with biological field research protocols and procedures.
· Able to draft short reports describing technical work for a general audience.
· Have a valid driver’s license
· Be able to drive a pick-up truck (automatic transmission and occasionally in 4WD off road)
· Be able to collaborate with volunteers and the public
· Capable of working independently and as part of a team, cheerfully in all weather conditions, and with biting insects/ticks.
· Able to work with Microsoft Office Suite software and capable of learning other platforms to suit the needs of the position.
· Familiar with the proper usage and maintenance of field equipment.
· Familiarity with the proper operation of gasoline powered watercraft and canoe is valuable.
Work Environment
1. Must be able to work both independently and as part of a team.
2. Position involves functioning in both field and office environments.
3. Ability to work outdoors, in all weather conditions, on varying terrain, with biting insect and ticks, potentially exposed to poison ivy, sun, and other environmental hazards, early morning and late evening hours, with or without accommodation.
4. Prior knowledge of working with wildlife and the health risks that it poses such as disease transmission is important.
5. The office environment has moderate noise levels and is a non-smoking environment.
6. The ability to function and thrive in role of internal consultant with a complex, multi-goal (research, conservation, education, recreation) organization with diverse professional staff (administration, education, operation, marketing, and public relations) is crucial.
Physical Demands:
1. Must be able to carry field equipment at times, with or without accommodation. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty pounds.
2. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
3. Hearing abilities for this job include the ability to perceive speech communication, sound detection and localization of calling birds, amphibians, etc.
4. Willingness to work during early morning (pre-dawn) and evening (nighttime) hours.
Please send a copy of resume and contact information for two references to:
James Fischer
Research Director
The White Memorial Conservation Center, Inc.
80 Whitehall Rd.
P.O. Box 368
Litchfield, CT 06759
e-mail: [email protected]
phone: 860-567-0857
fax: 860-567-2611
Application Period: Open until filled, Application period begins January 6, 2025 and ends February 15, 2025.