The Nature Institute is hiring the following positions for 2023:
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
Application Deadline: March 10th, 2023
Camp Dates: June 5 – August 4 (No camp for the week of 7/3 – 7/7). Mandatory pre-camp training takes place 5/30 – 6/2.
Counselors must be available for all camp dates in order to be eligible for hire.
Compensation: $13.50 – $16/hr, determined by experience and education.
The Nature Institute is a private non-profit conservation organization that fosters an awareness and appreciation for the natural world through preservation, restoration, and education. The Nature Institute manages nearly 500 acres along the Mississippi River bluffs in Godfrey, IL. This property includes a variety of natural communities protecting a diverse population of plants and animals. In 1982, The Nature Institute held its first Discovery Day Camp at the Olin Nature Preserve in the historic Talahi Lodge. Each year the camp has successfully grown and it remains the only nature camp of its kind in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Open from June through August, the camp is offered to ages 3 – 14 and open to children of all backgrounds.
Summer Day Camp Counselor Position:
The Nature Institute is looking for fun, energetic camp counselors for the summer of 2023. Counselors will interact daily with campers, lead hikes, crafts, and teach ecological programs. We’re seeking individuals that are passionate about the natural world with a willingness to learn (and try!) new things. This position is Monday through Friday from 8 – 3:30, with occasional Thursday evenings for staff that work with our 4th and 5th grade campers. There is also an opportunity to help lead an overnight campout for our Middle School campers. Staff that work late nights on Thursdays on these select weeks will have Friday off.
Application Deadline: Until Position is Filled
Hour Requirements: This position works for 12 weeks at 35 hours a week.
Compensation: $13.50 – $16/hr, determined by experience
The Seasonal Land Steward performs duties necessary for the maintenance and upkeep of lands owned and managed by The Nature Institute (TNI), including the Mississippi Sanctuary, Cypress Pond, the Savanna, Hutchinson Bird Sanctuary, Olin Nature Preserve, and Heartland Prairie. Duties include but are not limited to building and facilities maintenance, turf management, and habitat management. The Seasonal Land Steward will work closely with the Stewardship Director and Land Steward and will follow policies set forth by the Board of Directors and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. This position will require occasionally variable hours (including weekends) to assist in stewardship, education, and outreach programs.
Essential Duties:
● Execute habitat management and habitat project plans under the supervision of the Stewardship Director. Tasks include cutting, spraying, brush hogging, and burning. Basic plant identification will be encouraged. The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission guidelines will be used as a guide to perform habitat management tasks.
● Perform grounds keeping on turf management areas. Tasks include mowing, weed eating, spraying herbicide , seeding, tree trimming, removing downed trees and limbs, removing stumps, and performing other turf management tasks as need arises.
● Assist with maintenance and repairs of buildings, facilities, equipment, tools, trails, and roads.
● Operate tools and equipment to perform turf management, habitat management, and facilities maintenance tasks. Tools and equipment include vehicles, utilities vehicles, mowers, tractors, chainsaws, brush cutters, shop saws, leaf blowers, sprayers, brush cutters, and power tools.
● Inspect and maintain trails and roads. Tasks include clearing downed trees and limbs, removing trash, and assisting the Land Steward and Stewardship Director with other tasks.
● Monitor, install, and repair signage on TNI properties.
● Assist education and outreach staff with projects when need arises.
● Assist Stewardship Director in supervising interns and volunteers.
● Follow safe working practices and make appropriate use of related safety equipment, as required.
See the Full Job Description: 2023 Seasonal Land Steward
Application Process: Send a resume and letter of interest to Rebekah Helmich, Coordinating Restoration Ecologist via email
rhelmich@thenatureinstitute.org or by mail 2213 South Levis Lane, Godfrey, IL 62035
Camp Season: June 5, 2022 to August 4, 2022 (No camp for the week of 7/4 – 7/8). Family Camp will also be held on August 11th and 12th.
The Nature Institute is a private, non-profit conservation organization that fosters an awareness and appreciation for the natural world through preservation, restoration, and education. The Nature Institute manages nearly 500 acres along the Mississippi River bluffs in Godfrey, IL. This property includes a variety of natural communities that are home to a diverse population of plants and animals. In 1982, The Nature Institute held its first Discovery Day Camp at the Olin Nature Preserve in the historic Talahi Lodge. Each year the camp has successfully grown and it remains the only nature camp of its kind in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Open from June through August, the camp is organized by grade levels from PreK – Middle School. The camp is open to children of all backgrounds.
Junior Volunteer Counselor Position:
The Nature Institute is looking for fun, energetic junior counselors (JC) to volunteer for the summer of 2023. JCs will interact daily with campers, help lead hikes, crafts and ecological programs under the supervision of the Summer Day Camp Counselors and the Assistant Camp Director.
The Nature Institute is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. The Nature Institute makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.