Environmental Educator Assistant (Temporary - Summer Day Camp Support)

Position Summary

The current vacancies are in the Parks & Recreation Department at Tamarack Nature Center.

Tamarack Nature Center is seeking passionate, creative, and enthusiastic Full-Time Summer Environmental Educator Assistants – Camp Support to support our seasonal day camp program. Our team is dedicated to connecting children with nature through meaningful educational, recreational, and cultural experiences.

This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy working outdoors, supporting youth development, and collaborating with a diverse team of educators, assistants, and volunteers. Environmental Educators play a key role in creating engaging, safe, and inclusive learning environments that foster curiosity, confidence, and connection to the natural world.

More detailed information on this role can be found here: 2026 Environmental Education Assistant Information

Season and Time Commitment:

  • Program Season: June 15 – August 13, 2026
  • Average Hours: Approximately 40-45 hours per week

Typical Schedule:

  • Monday–Thursday: Either 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. OR 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • Friday: 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.

Required Dates:

  • Training Week: June 12, 15–18, 2026 | 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
  • Staff Meetings & Camp Planning: Fridays | 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
  • Junior Environmental Educator Celebration: August 6, 2026 | 4:00–7:30 p.m.
  • Day Camp Wrap-Up: August 14, 2026 | 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
    (Celebration, clean-up, and exit interviews)

Basic Function: To perform customer service and program support duties, such as answering telephones, talking with visitors about a variety of natural history topics, directing clients or visitors to proper location, setting up and taking down equipment and supplies for programs, assisting with live animal care, selling and collecting tickets; presenting environmental education and recreation programs in Ramsey County parks and open space, primarily at Tamarack Nature Center (TNC); and to perform related duties as assigned.

Examples of Work Performed

Summer Day Camp Support:

  • Support the Day Camp Coordinator with daily camp operations.
  • Provide additional staffing in camps as needed to maintain recommended camper-to-adult ratios.
  • Assist with selling or distributing Tamarack Nature Center t-shirts and merchandise.
  • Help maintain an organized, supportive, and engaging camp environment.
  • Communicate regularly with Administration and fellow camp staff.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned by Administration and Environmental Educators
  • Supervise campers to ensure their safety and well-being at all times
  • Follow and enforce all camp policies, rules, and procedures
  • Provide first aid in accordance with camp protocols
  • Provide before - and after - camp care.
  • Greet families, answer questions, and direct them to the correct locations.
  • Assist with welcoming and organizing parents and campers on the first day of each session.
  • Walk, hike, or stand for extended periods
  • Navigate uneven terrain, trails, and natural play areas
  • Participate in outdoor activities such as canoeing, nature exploration, and group games
  • Lift or carry up to 25–40 pounds as needed for program materials and camp setup
  • Work in varying outdoor conditions, including heat, rain, and exposure to insects

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Minimum Qualifications

Education: High School graduate, or equivalent; must be 16 years of age or older.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience working with school-age children.
  • Enthusiasm for connecting people with nature.
  • Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
  • First Aid & CPR certification (training is provided).
  • Demonstrate interest and comfort with working in an outdoor setting, in all weather conditions.

Exam/Screening Process Information

This is an unclassified, at-will temporary position. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, temporary position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration. Employment isn't guaranteed beyond the end of this assignment.

Definition of Unclassified from the Ramsey County Personnel Act:
Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause. Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board."

Criminal Background Checks:
All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation:
Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.

Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.


. You will need to print this posting and answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact Lindsey.Hunter@co.ramsey.mn.us.


Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at https://assets.ramseycountymn.gov/files/2026-02/Total%20Rewards%20Guide%202026.pdf

  • Medical, dental and vision insurance
    • The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
    • Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family
    • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance – three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
    • MetLife Dental Insurance – two plan options offered
    • VSP Vision Insurance – Advantage Plan offered
  • Pre-tax Benefit Program
    • Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
    • Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
    • County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan
  • Paid time off
    • Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
    • 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
    • Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
    • Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
    • Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay
  • Retirement benefits
    • Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
    • New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
    • Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
    • Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation
  • Transit and parking
    • Fully funded Metropass.
    • Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account
  • Employee well-being
    • Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
    • Wellness programming
    • Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions
  • Life Insurance and Disability leave
    • County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
    • Long-term Disability – County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee’s lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
    • Short-term Disability – option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period
  • Career development
    • Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
    • Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
    • County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
    • Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues

For information about Ramsey County's 2026 benefits, visit: https://assets.ramseycountymn.gov/files/2026-02/Total%20Rewards%20Guide%202026.pdf

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