Seasonal Environmental Educator
This position offers college students and graduates an opportunity to gain professional experience in the field of environmental education. Responsibilities include aiding with and leading outdoor field trips for kindergarten through high school age students and assisting in volunteer training and supervision. The seasonal educator will work as a camp counselor during the summer and assist in camp planning and design. Tasks may include natural history research, prop construction and curriculum planning. The Seasonal Educator will also assist in the everyday running of the Nature Center, which may include answering the phone, greeting the public, and animal care.
Applicants must:
- be at least 18 years of age and either enrolled in or graduated from a college program in biology, environmental science, education or a related field.
- have an outgoing personality and a respect for the natural world.
- have teaching experience and familiarity with the natural history of our region is encouraged.
Duration: April to November, 2013; 40 hours per week; Monday through Friday 8a.m.-4p.m. with occasional nights or weekends. Starting at $10/hour.
POSITION FILLED. Interested candidates for 2014 should send their resume and cover letter to
Karen Lewis, Environmental Education Coordinator, 350 N Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045.
Restoration Ecology Summer Intern
Each year, Lake Forest Open Lands hires between 6-10 high school, college or post graduate students seeking hands-on experience within the field of ecology for our Summer Intern Program. This 8-week paid internship focuses on restoring degraded wildlife habitat, preserving high-quality prairie parcels and maintaining public trails as well as increasing knowledge of native flora and fauna. The internship also has a direct educational component - Intern Education Days - which happen one day each week. Education Days may include field trips to other local environmental organization, guest speakers as well as data collection training for science programs.
POSITION FILLED. For more information on the intern program contact
Michael Hahn, Volunteer Coordinator.
Eco-Camp Counselor Position
Work with outdoor-oriented people to lead students in local summer nature camps. Responsibilities include daily supervision of a crew of aproximately eight campers, camp prep and takedown. Camp meets Monday through Friday and hours are 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Lake Forest Open Lands Association’s Mellody Farm Nature Preserve. Daily activities include investigating local ecosystems, teaching outdoor skills such as fire building, campfire cooking, knot tying, animal tracking, canoeing, biking and overnighters.
Applicants must:
- be energetic, enjoy working with children, have a love of the outdoors.
- have a knowledge of local ecosystems; classwork in education and/or environmental sciences as well as familiarity with flora and fauna of northeastern Illinois is preferred.
- be at least 18 years of age and have a valid drivers license and certified in CPR and First Aid by start date. It is strongly recommended that applicants have experience working with children and outdoor experience in camping, canoeing etc.
This is a wonderful opportunity for educators and environmental science students to gain hands-on teaching experience. Training begins June 3, 2013 and camps run through August 16, 2013. No camps the week of July 4th. Starting at $10-13/hour.
POSITION FILLED. All applicants must be available for the entire camp season. Interested candidates for 2014 must fill out this
application and return to
Karen Lewis, Environmental Education Coordinator, 350 North Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045.
Center for Conservation Leadership/Eco-Camp Counselor Position
During CCL, counselors supervise and guide students in a three-week summer residential camp experience focused on leadership, conservation, and environmental issues at various venues in northern Wisconsin.
This counselor transitions to Eco-Camps, day camps for students in K through 8th grades. These camps focus on exploration of Illinois native habitats and outdoor skill such as fire building, canoeing and tracking.
Dates: Training: June 3—7, Lake Forest, IL
CCL Counselor: June 10—June 27, Northern Wisconsin
Eco-Camp Counselor: July 1 – August 2, Lake Forest, IL
(no work on July 4 and 5)
Counselors oversee the students in activities such as canoeing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, wildlife monitoring, fishing, biking, camping, high and low ropes courses.
During the CCL portion of the summer, counselors support the instructors in leadership and team building and oversee residential life of students. During the Eco-camps, they are the lead counselors.
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, able to swim and must have:
- Experience and interest in outdoor activities and environmental education;
- Camp experience;
- Experience and interest in supervising and leading school aged students;
- A valid driver’s license;
- First Aid and CPR certification.
Lifeguarding and water safety certification are encouraged.
Counselors must be 25 yrs. to drive van. Priority given to those able to do so. Salary: $3,000 - $4,200 depending upon experience
POSITION FILLED. For more information for the 2014 position, please contact Susie Hoffmann