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Job Category: University Staff
Employment Type: Temporary (Fixed Term)
Job Profile: Assistant
Job Summary:
The Upham Woods Seasonal Outdoor Educators are the primary programmatic personnel for Upham Woods in the summer season. In that regard, this position is responsible for teaching programming and recreational activities for user groups, interacting with 4-H Youth educators and adult volunteers, other group leaders, and care for programmatic, outpost and recreational equipment, which includes the science center animals. All of the above is to be done with a focus on customer service and effective educational methods in a safe environment.
Responsibilities:
Education :
Job Category: University Staff
Employment Type: Temporary (Fixed Term)
Job Profile: Assistant
Job Summary:
The Upham Woods Seasonal Outdoor Educators are the primary programmatic personnel for Upham Woods in the summer season. In that regard, this position is responsible for teaching programming and recreational activities for user groups, interacting with 4-H Youth educators and adult volunteers, other group leaders, and care for programmatic, outpost and recreational equipment, which includes the science center animals. All of 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]
- Serve as liaison (main point of contact) for visiting groups including on call status*
- Facilitate meal service with dining hall staff
- Complete facility maintenance projects, move canoes/kayaks, trail work, and minor cleaning, as needed.
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.
- Provides assistance for units as requested, such as wiping down tables, filing, coping, sorting, and delivering mail
- 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
- Performs the typical duties as required by each position according to what is needed
UW Madison, Division of Extension, Natural Resources Institute, Upham Woods is hiring for Several Seasonal Outdoor Educators.
About Extension
UW-Madison's Division of Extension serves the people and communities of Wisconsin by addressing local, statewide and national issues, improving lives through research-based education, fostering partnerships and action, and facilitating positive impacts.
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 diverse 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, 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:
Well-qualified candidates can anticipate earning between $17.45 - $19.70 per hour. Actual pay within this range will depend on experience and qualifications.
Incentive Types:
- Returning Staff for second season - $.50/hr
- Returning Staff for third season - $.50/hr
- Returning Staff for fourth season (last increase) - $.50/hr
- Certification (Lifeguard, must be active before start date and valid through camp end) - $.75/hour
- Other Camp Experience (minimum 2 months experience) - $.25/hour
- 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.
- 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.
Preferred Certifications
- Lifeguarding certification or ability to obtain before start of employment, with certification active through 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.
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)
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. UW-Madison cannot employ F-1 STEM OPT Extension participants, because UW-Madison does not meet the E-Verify employer requirement.
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
- sara.dawson@wisc.edu
- Molly Silva
- uphamwoods@extension.wisc.edu
- (608)-254-6461
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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