Seasonal Outdoor Recreation Educator

Employer: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Location: Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States

Salary: Competitive Salary

Date posted: Nov 12, 2025

Position Type: Administrative, Business & Administrative Affairs, Facilities, Community Relations & Institutional Outreach

Employment Type: Full Time

Job Details

Salary:
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

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:

• Facilitate introductory camping and canoeing experiences for older youth including sleeping in a tent and cooking outdoors for up to 3 nights.
• Teach outdoor recreation programming to school and community groups ranging in size from 20-150 participants. Programs may include hiking, canoeing, orienteering, survival, teambuilding and archery.
• Collaborate with team members to identify and manage risk in the outdoors.

Customer Service:

• Serve as liaison (main point of contact) for visiting groups including on call status*
• Facilitate meal service with dining hall staff
• Prepare and maintain outdoor equipment such as tents and other camping supplies.

Conservation:

• Support conservation projects by preparing necessary tools, safety equipment, and project materials for use on conservation project days.
• Complete facility maintenance projects, 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:

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

Department:

UW Madison, Division of Extension, Natural Resources Institute, Upham Woods is hiring for a Seasonal Outdoor Recreation Educator.

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, 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:

Well-qualified candidates can anticipate earning between $17.75 - $19.25 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
• Other Camp Experience (minimum 2 months experience) - $.25/hour

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

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:

H.S. Diploma or equivalent

Required Certifications

• Lifeguarding certification or ability to obtain before start of employment, with certification active through August 2026. Required to lead Canoeing, Outpost, Swimming, and Blackhawk Island Hikes.

Preferred Certifications

• 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" 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 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (CST).

Contact Information:

Molly Silva

uphamwoods@extension.wisc.edu

(608)-254-6461

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