SUMMER CAMP ASSISTANT

Position:  Summer Assistant

Hours, Compensation, and Benefits:  

  • 20-40 hours/week; Part-time: Monday–Friday, 2–6 pm, Full-time: 9 am–5:30 pm. 

  • Hourly pay range is $10-15/hour and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

  • This is a seasonal, hourly and non-exempt position. While this position is seasonal, applicants may be eligible for an autumn position with Cottonwood. Ask about upcoming opportunities. 

Dates:  Flexible start date during the week of Monday, June 7, 2021; flexible end date between Friday, August 20, 2021, and Friday, August 21, 2021.

Application Deadline:  Friday, May 28, 2021, or until positions are filled. 

Number of positions available: 2


Position Summary:  The goal of our programming is to empower individual learners to approach their life with agency and to broaden their horizons in order to identify possibilities in their life based on their unique interests and individual strengths.  Summers at Cottonwood are designed to be a time and place where all individuals can thrive.  By radically shifting the way we think about learning, education, and what it means to be in community, we will ignite the fire of curiosity in our learners--and staff!--with the hope that it will fuel them and break down barriers in all areas of their life. 

Cottonwood Agile Learning Center is looking for a creative, energetic leader to join our Summer Camp Team.  Activities will include working directly with learners ages 4-17 and Cottonwood staff.  Opportunities for development will include observing, learning, and engaging as an educational facilitator and assisting behind the scenes with administrative staff to gain skills for organizing and executing a summer youth educational program.  

This position is located at Cottonwood ALC in Helena, MT.

Essential Functions.  Summer Assistant responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Act as a model, space-holder and mentor to learners in a self-directed learning environment and in intentional culture creation.  Facilitators need to be grounded in the perspective of trusting children and committed to fostering curiosity and individual empowerment. 

  • Observe and assist during full-day programming from lead facilitators.

  • Use what was learned during the day to lead end-of-day experiences for students participating in Extended Day.

  • Actively co-create and engage with staff and students to develop tools and practices to support positive culture creation based in trust, communication and practical needs of learners.

  • Use or develop tools and practices for students to articulate intentions, steps for setting goals, progress and reflection.

  • Participate in regular check-ins to determine if learners need more, less or different support to reach goals and intentions. 

  • Assist in administrative support.

  • Help coordinate and plan field trips.

  • Provide communication support between staff, learners and parents.

  • Maintain a clean space to welcome learners each day. 

  • Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Excellent communicator

  • Detail-oriented 

  • Demonstrates strong organizational skills

  • Is an agent of play 

  • Curious with a desire to learn

  • Enjoys working with young people

  • Previous work with young people is preferred

Cottonwood ALC does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, culture, religion, nor national or ethnic origin.