Lead Education Coordinator & Camp Director

Mass Audubon; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Flexible Spending Account

Job summary

Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center is seeking a full‑time Lead Education Coordinator and Camp Director to hire and manage camp staff and deliver inclusive, hands‑on environmental education programs, including summer camp and school‑year offerings.

The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, DEIJ commitment, and experience in program management, education development, and staff supervision, with the ability to collaborate across departments and communities in the Greater Boston area.

Qualifications

• Must have 4+ years of administrative experience leading a camp, after-school program, or similar environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work collaboratively on a team.
• Experience creating and delivering educational programs and activities, especially interactive or hands-on learning.
• Strong supervisory experience including managing multiple people of diverse ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
• Strong organizational, administrative, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all areas of work; ongoing personal learning.
• Current certification in first aid and CPR, or willingness to obtain.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors in most weather conditions; able to access sanctuary terrain by foot.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, hire, train, lead and evaluate 35–40 seasonal staff across two sites serving 600+ campers (ages 5–15) over 10 weeks.
• Design and supervise marketing, registration, and family communication before and during programs; collaborate with regional colleagues.
• Plan and oversee annual budgets for camp programs across two sites; manage spending on staff, materials, food, transportation, etc.
• Prepare safe, educational vacation week and summer camp programs; coordinate with Operations, Property and Education departments.
• Ensure safety, health, and camp policy compliance; coordinate with public health officials, ACA staff, and licensing agencies.
• Develop and teach nature education programs for K-12 groups, youth, families, and the public; seek improvements based on feedback.
• Lead leadership staff training for the camp administrative team; build a compassionate, inclusive staff community.

Skills

Administrative leadership

Interpersonal communication

Education program design

Staff supervision

Organization & administration

Diversity, equity, inclusion & justice

First aid & CPR certification

Outdoor work readiness

Physical sanctuary access

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full-time Regular Boston Nature Center, Mattapan, MA, US

Salary Range: $65,000.00 To $70,000.00 Annually

About Mass Audubon

Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org.

About This Position

Are you passionate about creating staff community, youth education, and nature? Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center (BNC) is seeking a strong, compassionate leader to be the full‑time Lead Education Coordinator and Camp Director. This role will hire and manage camp staff and develop and deliver inclusive, hands‑on environmental education programs including our summer camp and school‑year programs. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, professional, people‑oriented leader with significant experience hiring and managing young staff teams as well as in education and program management. You’ll help build a welcoming, justice‑centered community where children, staff, and community members feel they belong in nature!

Why Join Us?

• Lead innovative, inclusive nature camps and school programs
• Recruit and inspire a diverse, passionate staff team to create welcoming camp experiences
• Make a lasting impact on youth in Boston and surrounding communities

Location: Boston Nature Center & Greater Boston
Schedule: Full‑time, year‑round (40 hours/week)

Responsibilities

Year‑Round

• Recruit, hire, train, lead and evaluate a team of 35-40 seasonal summer staff including counselors, coordinators, and assistant directors for two sites serving 600+ campers ages 5-15 over 10 weeks of camp. Recruit and manage vacation week staff for one‑week programs in February and April serving 50+ campers.
• Design and supervise marketing, registration, and communication with families before and during programs, and evaluation during and after programs with regional and statewide colleagues.
• Plan and oversee the annual budget for one‑week vacation week programs (February and April) and 10‑week summer camp programs based at two sites; ensure appropriate spending on all aspects of camps including staff, materials, food, transportation, etc.
• Prepare safe, educational vacation week and summer camp programs and coordinate with other departments such as operations, property and education to comply with internal policies and expectations.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, health, and camp industry rules, protocols, and practices, including all required documentation for staff, campers, and licensing agencies. Develop strong, positive relationships with local public health officials, community partners, and regional American Camp Association (ACA) staff. Manage and maintain compliance with health department and ACA standards including accreditation for camp.
• Develop and teach nature education programs and curriculum for K-12 school groups, youth, families, and the public in the Greater Boston area. Work with Education Manager and colleagues to improve and innovate based on feedback.

During the summer

• Be responsible for all aspects of camp preparation, seasonal camp staff training, camper and staff physical and emotional safety, customer service, program planning, and program implementation.
• Plan and carry out leadership staff training for camp administrative team. Design, lead, and delegate responsibilities for staff training. During staff training: develop a cohesive, compassionate staff community; guide camp staff to learn how to teach about nature, use hands‑on education techniques, provide safe, fun, age‑appropriate activities; create a space of belonging for all campers; and deliver training on safety and emergency procedures, site practices, and behavioral guidance.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for camp families and caregivers, maintaining regular communication, addressing questions, and navigating conflicts with professionalism and compassion.
• Provide support, energy, motivation, and a fun and inclusive community for staff and campers.
• Ensure activities and lessons meet camp goals and outcomes and are appropriate for the abilities of campers.
• Monitor and evaluate camp staff; provide feedback, program ideas, and guidance to counselors. Manage concerns, complaints, and feedback regarding counselor performance, including communication with Human Resources and other supervisory staff.
• Ensure that camp staff and campers know and follow all safety and educational procedures during camp programs. Track, report, and analyze incidents and safety trends. Monitor and incorporate public and camp safety updates to ensure the highest safety standards.
• Oversee site safety in collaboration with Property Manager. Provide guidelines for equipment use and maintenance; supervise staff to perform regular checks of area and equipment for safety, cleanliness, and good repair.

Qualifications

At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

Must Haves

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• 4+ years of administrative experience leading a camp, after‑school program, or similar environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and a desire to work collaboratively on a team
• Experience creating and delivering educational programs and activities, especially interactive or hands‑on learning
• Strong supervisory experience including managing and working with multiple people of diverse ages, backgrounds, and abilities
• Strong organizational, administrative, and decision‑making skills
• Demonstrated commitment to incorporating principals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice into all areas of work, and a commitment to continued personal learning
• Current certification in first aid and CPR, or willingness to obtain
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors in most weather conditions
• Able to physically access sanctuary terrain by foot

Nice to Haves

• Familiarity with experiential learning and the development of curriculum aligned with state standards
• Experience hiring and supervising seasonal staff
• Experience leading a camp through ACA accreditation process
• Fluency in a second language (Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, or Mandarin) is desirable

Compensation, Benefits and Perks

This position’s pay range is $65,000-$70,000 per year; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. Benefits eligible staff at Mass Audubon may elect to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans. Mass Audubon also offers disability and life insurance plans, a retirement plan, and Flexible Spending Account options. Mass Audubon employment also includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through and the Reciprocity Agreement through the Consortium of Non‑Profit Arts/Cultural/Environmental Organizations of New England. Mass Audubon employees enjoy 13 paid holidays (holidays may shift annually due to where days fall within calendar).

Work Schedule

Full‑time schedule of 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. During the year, weekend hours at least once a month and/or some evening hours will be required. This position has the option to work a hybrid schedule during the school year, with a mix of in‑person (at least 3 days weekly) and remote work. During the summer, this position must be on‑site five days per week, and can expect to work 9‑10 hours per day. Vacation time is unlikely during the months of May through August due to summer camp responsibilities.

Other Requirements

Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.

Mass Audubon’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice

Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mass Audubon’s mission is to “protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife” by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.