Seasonal Camp Coordinator & Site Lead
About Our Organization: Piedmont Wildlife Center is a Durham-based non-profit organization encouraging conservation and inspiring people to build lifelong connections with nature through immersive outdoor education, citizen science, and wildlife stewardship. We pursue this mission through afterschool, homeschool, and year-round camp programming in the great outdoors. The Center also offers conservation-focused field trips and outreach programs with our Ambassador Animals.
Land Acknowledgement: Our camps operate out of Leigh Farm Park in Durham County and Blackwood Farm Park in Orange County. Both parks are remnants of 19th-century plantations and are on land that was once part of the shared territory of Saponi, Tuscarora, Occaneechi, Cheraw, Eno, Shakori, Catawba, and Lumbee nations. The county parks departments have preserved multiple historic structures in our locations. In addition, we operate camps at Umstead State Park in Wake County which was once a segregated park and indigenous territory. It is imperative that we discuss this history with our staff and campers, amplify the stories of the indigenous and enslaved peoples who cared for the land and continue learning about and examining the parks’ legacy.
Position Summary: The Seasonal Camp Coordinator & Site Lead provides experienced, on-site leadership for Wake County Summer Camps. This role oversees daily camp operations, supports counselors and CITs, and works closely with the Wake County Camp Program Manager to ensure a safe, organized, and high-quality camp experience throughout the summer. For 6 of the 10 weeks, this role will serve as the primary on-site coordinator for one of our Wake County Camps.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as primary on-site coordinator for one of our Wake County Camps (6 weeks) and then will support our Wake County Camp Program Manager for the additional 4 weeks
- Support daily camp operations, logistics, and schedule flow
- Supervise, mentor, and support counselors and CITs
- Model professionalism, clear communication, and positive youth development practices
- Partner with and support Wake County Camp Program Manager on staffing needs, behavior support
- Lead direct communication regarding camper/family concerns or questions
- Ensure safety protocols, camp policies, and program expectations are followed
- Support campers and counselors with transitions, social emotional needs, and conflict resolution
- Assist with supply management, site set-up, and end of day duties
- Provide feedback and observations to the Camp Program Manager to support staff mentorship and coaching
- Step in to provide coverages if staffing gaps occur
Qualifications
- Previous experience in leadership within a summer camp or youth program setting
- Strong staff management skills
- Excellent communication and problem solving abilities
- Ability to stay organized and calm in a fast paced outdoor environment
- Experience leading environmental education in non-formal settings
- Ability to work in an outdoor setting for extended periods of time
- Must have personal smartphone for communication and reliable transportation