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Job Category:

Employment Type:

Job Profile:

Job Summary:

The Upham Woods Seasonal Outdoor Educators are the primary programmatic personnel for Upham Woods in the summer season. This position is responsible for teaching educational programming and recreational activities, interacting with 4-H educators, volunteers and other group leaders, and caring for programmatic and recreational equipment and the nature center animals. All the above is to be done with a focus on customer service and effective educational methods in a safe environment.

Responsibilities:

Education   

• Teach environmental education and outdoor recreation programming to school and community groups ranging in size from 20-150 participants. A list of common programs is available here: https://uphamwoods.extension.wisc.edu/program-search/ [RS1] [MS2]
• Collaborate with team members to identify and manage risk in the outdoors.
• Prepare and clean-up programmatic activities along with basic upkeep of educational materials and spaces.

Customer Service 

• Serve as liaison (main point of contact) for visiting groups including on-call status*   
• Facilitate meal service with dining hall staff 

Facility & Conservation Support     

• Complete facility maintenance projects, move canoes/kayaks, trail work, and minor cleaning, as needed.   

Housing  

Lodging is available while working at Upham Woods in our staff duplex. Bedroom assignments can be an individual or shared, shared bathroom, and shared common areas (kitchen, living room, laundry facilities).     

*On-call status refers to liaison duties extending overnight, where a provided cell phone is left on in case of emergency contact from the visiting group.   

Temporary Position

This position may have the possibility to be extended based on need and/or funding.

In Person

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Evening/Weekend Work

This position may be required to work occasional nights and weekends to meet the program needs and priorities of the communities served.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to occasionally lift and carry 35 pounds.   
• Ability to hike several miles on uneven terrain including trails and stairs in a wide variety of temperatures and environmental conditions.  

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Performs the typical duties as required by each position according to what is needed

• Acts in compliance with the standards of their job, represents the university in a positive manner, and completes the assigned tasks that are aligned to their role

• Provides assistance for units as requested, such as wiping down tables, filing, coping, sorting, and delivering mail

Department:

About Extension

Extension embodies the Wisconsin Idea by developing and connecting the research and educational resources of UW–Madison with residents and communities to address local, statewide, and national issues. We teach, learn, lead and serve, transforming lives and communities.

About the Institute

The Extension Natural Resources Institute (https://naturalresources.extension.wisc.edu/) addresses today's critical environmental issues, particularly the sustainable management of food, water, and energy, by using collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches grounded in an understanding of human interactions with resources. We leverage our team of researchers and outreach specialists to provide science-based information and education, embodying the Wisconsin Idea through extensive partnerships. Ultimately, our mission is to empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions that benefit our shared natural resources through a variety of programs.

About the Program

Upham Woods is a residential center within the UW-Madison, Division of Extension that provides hands-on, field-based education and recreation opportunities to youth, youth leaders, and adults through programs focused on environmental and leadership education. The Center, officially accredited through the American Camp Association (ACA), consists of 14 buildings including a new welcome center, full-service kitchen and dining hall, nature center, and lodging for visitors and seasonal staff. The Center sits on the Wisconsin River with over 300 acres of forested land, including a 210- acre state natural area island.

Compensation:

Posted Salary Range

Well-qualified candidates can anticipate earning between $17.45 - $19.70 per hour. Actual pay within this range will depend on experience and qualifications.

Additional Compensation Details

Base pay of $17.45 per hour with the following incentives upon verification for a maximum pay rate of $19.70 per hour.

Pay Incentives for Seasonal Outdoor Educators

Incentive Types:

• Returning Staff for second season - $0.50/hr
• Returning Staff for third season - $0.50/hr
• Returning Staff for fourth season (last increase) - $0.50/hr
• Certification (Lifeguard Certification, active before start date through August 2027) - $0.75/hour
• Other Camp Experience (minimum 2 months experience) - $0.25/hour
  • Restrictions: Camps other than Upham Woods cannot be combined with Upham Woods Returning Staff Incentive
    

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to work in a team setting with enthusiasm and creativity, and the ability to work independently.  
• The desire to teach user groups ranging in size from 20-150 participants.  
• Familiarity with outdoor adventure pursuits and their associated equipment, such as camping, canoeing, archery, etc.  
• A general understanding of the field of environmental education, natural resources, education, and youth development  
• Ability to work flexible hours any day of the week, including evening hours  
• Willingness to complete a unique set of tasks on any given day.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework toward a bachelor’s degree in education, natural science, biology, environmental education, or a related field  

• Ability to take responsibility for one of the specialization areas. Specialization areas include, but are not limited to: program animals, challenge course, technology, marketing and social media, and facility improvement.  
  

Education:

Required Education

H.S. Diploma or equivalent

Preferred Certifications

• Lifeguarding certification or ability to obtain before start of employment, with certification active through at least August 2027. Required to lead Canoeing, Outpost, Swimming, and Blackhawk Island Hikes.
• Professional certifications in any of the activities which we commonly offer, such as licensed teacher, 4-H Archery, Low Ropes element challenge course, canoeing, etc. 
  

How to Apply:

We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. To begin the application process, click the "apply now" button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)

Please submit a cover letter referring to your work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background as it relates to this position. Your cover letter should communicate your interest in the position and how your skillset aligns with the role. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews.

For additional guidance and resources on how to tailor your application materials to the job posting, please click https://extension.wisc.edu/careers/.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the
United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship)
on or before the effective date of appointment.

This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass
an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and then every two years.

​Application Deadline is November 22, 2026 at 11:59pm (CST).

Contact Information:

Sara Dawson

[email protected]

(608)-890-2629

Molly Silva
[email protected]
(608)-254-6461

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. 

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. 
 
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). 
 
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