Job Description

Do you have a love for nature and the environment? This is your opportunity to teach what you love to provide an amazing experience for children at the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties Camp Seymour.

We are looking for dedicated individuals to join our team of Outdoor Environmental Educators for an unforgettable school-year long experience! Located in Gig Harbor, Camp Seymour lies within Glen Clove providing direct access to Puget Sound. You will have the opportunity to explore the Kitsap Peninsula and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the nearby Olympic National Forest and our Pacific Ocean beaches! This position is residential and you will stay on-site with room and board provided for the full school year including all meals, and access to all Camp Seymour has to offer.

As an Outdoor Educator, you will teach and mentor children about the wonders of nature, explore diverse ecosystems, and help foster students outdoor skills. If hired, you will help lead classes and activities on various topics such as marine science, wildlife ecology, and sustainability that make science come alive.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create a safe, welcoming, and fun environment that reflects YMCA values.
• Treat every participant with fairness and respect, ensuring all feel valued and confident regardless of background or ability.
• Build positive relationships with participants, parents, and school staff, encouraging involvement and identifying potential volunteers.
• Arrive prepared and on time for all scheduled shifts and fulfill commitments responsibly. Communicate directly and promptly with a supervisor regarding any absence or schedule change.
• Participate fully in required staff meetings and training courses, including OEE staff development sessions.
• Maintain a safe, engaging program environment by confidently and respectfully enforcing YMCA policies.
• Prepare thoroughly for classes by shadowing experienced staff, developing thoughtful lesson plans, and reviewing them with directors prior to teaching.
• Collaborate with Outdoor and Environmental Education (OEE) staff to share ideas and strengthen program delivery.
• Progress from co-teaching to independently leading natural science, group-building, and outdoor skills classes for school groups.
• Support and lead educational and recreational activities as needed, including waterfront and evening programs.
• Help maintain the cleanliness and upkeep of the Environmental Center and surrounding camp facilities.
• Contribute to program growth by developing curriculum, activities, materials, and displays.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must lift or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift or move a higher amount.
• Will need to plan, lead, and participate in programming outdoors.

Qualifications:

• Minimum age of 20 years.
• A working knowledge of Outdoor and Environmental Education principles through education or practical experience, and the ability to instruct participants.
• Positive attitude and previous experience with youth in educational and program activities.
• Ability to connect with people of diverse backgrounds.
• The ability to demonstrate a friendly, courteous and professional manner while working with members, parents and staff and the ability to understand, articulate, and enforce YMCA policies and procedures in a positive way.
• Certifications: CPR, AED and Basic First Aid (preferred).
• Must be able to pass Background and Reference checks (in accordance with the WA State Fair Chance Act).
• You are committed to valuing and promoting diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Able and willing to complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on first day, and other online and in-person training as required.

*This is a residential position that includes room and board.*

Starting Wage: $100.00 to $130.00 per day ( Compensation is determined based on relevant experience, skills, and qualifications, with most new hires starting between the minimum and midpoint of the posted wage range)

Dates: Spring 2026 and/or Fall 2026 (School year only).

Location: Camp Seymour, Gig Harbor, WA

Ignite your Passion, Live the Y Cause, and Join our Team! To apply visit our website at www.ymcapkc.org

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is committed to diversity and inclusion throughout our organization and is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Women/Minority/Veteran/Disabled

Qualifications

Outdoor and Environmental Educator Residential

Provides supervision, leadership and instruction for participants in the Outdoor and Environmental Education program including programs at Camp Seymour and at schools for after school programs. This position is a residential position at Camp Seymour. Provides a quality experience to participants focused on YMCA core values: honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring. Represents the YMCA and self in a professional manner of safety and fun.

Job Grade: N-2

FLSA Status: Non Exempt

Reports to: Senior OEE Director

Location: Camp Seymour

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Promote a positive environment that fosters fun, safety and our YMCA values.
• Treat every participant fairly and equally regardless of circumstances and abilities, making each feel good about themselves and encouraging a fun environment.
• Accentuate positive attributes nurturing the whole; physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. Give praise for effort.
• Encourage member and parent involvement and identify potential volunteers.
• Maintain good public relations with program participants and always represent the best interests of the YMCA.
• Arrive with ample time to report to position at the scheduled time.
• Be responsible and fulfill your commitments to scheduled shifts. Notify a supervisor personally and in a timely manner if you are unable to meet your commitment. This includes illness and extenuating circumstances.
• Participate in staff meetings as required.
• Participate in trainings as required.
• Assume other responsibilities as mutually agreed upon with a supervisor.
• Since this is a residential position, the individual is required to live on-site at Camp Seymour.
• Attend and engage with OEE Staff trainings
• Monitor area and ensure a safe, positive and fun environment. Confidently and tactfully enforce YMCA policies.
• Shadow OEE classes to gain a solid understanding of the class material and flow.
• Prepare class lessons before teaching. Submit written lesson plans to directors and go over lessons with them before teaching.
• Communicate with Outdoor and Environmental Education staff about class ideas and information.
• After preparing lesson plans, co-teach natural science, group building, and outdoor skills classes to school groups. After co-teaching, move to teaching classes on your own.
• Participate in or direct educational and recreational activities as needed, including waterfront areas and evening activities
• Actively work to achieve a quality educational experience for all program participants and staff in line with the goals of the Outdoor and Environmental Education Program.
• Maintain the cleanliness and general upkeep of the Environmental Center and other camp areas as needed.
• Develop activities, curriculum, program materials, and displays to enhance the Outdoor and Environmental Education program.
• Communicate the OEE philosophy to administrators, teachers, school staff, and campers.
• Follow YMCA Camp Seymour Standard Operating Policies and Procedures.

Financial Development and Philanthropy:

• Meet performance measurement by telling the Y story and raising charitable dollars to fulfill our mission.
• Assist staff leadership team in reaching campaign goals through recruiting campaigners, making personal asks and supporting branch events.

Safety Protocols:

• Dress according to YMCA dress code, having on the appropriate shirt and nametag. Dress in appropriate athletic attire.
• Double-check the clothing safety of all participants for jewelry, gum, and clothing violations that can result in injury.
• Know the location of the first aid kit, nearest phone, and incident reports. Current certifications in CPR and First Aid preferred.
• Follow all YMCA policies, rules, regulations and procedures, including emergency and safety procedures. Complete incident and accident reports as necessary.
• Ensure emergency procedures are followed, and notify supervisor of any incidents, accidents, and behavior concerns immediately.
• Organize and put away needed equipment. Report damaged equipment

Ambassador:

• Understand our YMCA's mission, goals, objectives and programs to relay that information to inquiring families and participants.
• Understand the financial assistance given to members comes from our yearly "Strong Kids" campaign. Assist staff in helping to identify those individuals that may be interested in serving as a campaigner for and a donor to these efforts.
• Convey information on Camp programs and schedules and as appropriate refers members and participants to other programs.

YMCA Competencies (Leader):

• Mission and Community Oriented:
• Accepts and demonstrates YMCA values.
• Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions and perceptions.
• Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs.
• Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them.
• People Oriented:
• Seeks first to understand the other person's point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations.
• Builds rapport and relates well to others.
• Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively.
• Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
• Results Oriented:
• Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience.
• Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another.
• Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Supports fundraising.
• Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately.
• Personal Development Oriented:
• Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships.
• Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process.

Additional duties:

• Model our YMCA values through fun, positive relationships with staff and members. Seek every opportunity to encourage, motivate and thank fellow staff members for their work.
• Be enthusiastic toward members and staff by learning their names and expressing an interest in their YMCA activities. Strive to enrich their YMCA experience by introducing them to new programs, staff, members and volunteer activities.
• Incorporate "Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility" into all aspects of the position, to ensure YMCA values are being integrated into our culture and programs.
• Maintain a consistent professional image through dress, actions and relationships with others. Speak enthusiastically on behalf of the YMCA at given opportunities.
• Participate in applicable training and conferences to further professional growth as outlined in annual training plans.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must frequently lift or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift or move a higher amount.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally may need to plan and participate in programming outdoors

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum age of 20 years.
• A working knowledge of Outdoor and Environmental Education principles through education or practical experience, and the ability to instruct participants.
• Positive attitude and previous experience with youth in educational and program activities.
• Ability to connect with people of diverse backgrounds.
• The ability to implement the activity program.
• The ability to demonstrate a friendly, courteous and professional manner while working with members, parents and staff and the ability to understand, articulate, and enforce YMCA policies and procedures in a positive way.
• Required trainings within 90 days, Child Abuse Prevention training within 30.
• Certifications: CPR, AED and Basic First Aid.

This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. This job does not constitute a contract of employment and the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

I understand the requirements, essential functions, and job duties of this position.