Seasonal positions available

Our Elements crew comes from many backgrounds — college & high-school students, camp counselors, teachers, NOLS, Outward Bound instructors etc. We also hire outstanding applicants from our partner organization, City Kids Wilderness Project. We would love to have you join our energetic, outgoing and outdoorsy team. Scroll down to learn more and apply for our upcoming seasons.

High-level administrative position

Like our Crew, you are passionate about the outdoors and our Elements mission of facilitating enriching, active woodland experiences for all ages. You also are psyched to roll up your sleeves and get into the nitty gritty, guts and glory of working for a small business. Scroll down to learn more about this exciting position.

Description

We're seeking 15+ amazing/fun-loving/nature and kiddo enthusiasts.

Our Elements Crew are like camp cabin counselors without the cabin! We break the participants into age appropriate groups and each of these 'small groups' has one Crew for the full season.

Once your group has arrived and checked in with the Site Director, they head off with their Crew for pre-planned adventures in the woods.

• The Crew/Interns will be responsible for the discussing the day’s activity with the Site & Enrichment Directors during the 4:00 Crew Brief.

• The Crew/Interns will help with any necessary equipment, materials and paper work on site.

• The Crew/Interns will be on site to cheerfully greet the participants & parents and supervise and lead their Small Group in the day’s activity.

• The Crew/Interns will assist the Director in making sure all the kids are safe, engaged and having fun. At times this will tap into the improvisational or creative talents of the crew.

• The Crew/Interns will be sure that all the kids are picked up by the appropriate parent or permitted adult.

• The Crew/Interns will help collect and maintain all equipment and make sure that it is properly stored.

• The Crew/Interns are encouraged to communicate with the Director any positive or negative feedback about the activity, participants, parents; or other assistants.

• Pay will be commensurate with past work experience.

Requirements

• MINIMUM AGE. Our Crew must be 18 years or older (or a past Elements Intern). Our Woodland Access & CKWP & high-school paid intens must be in 11th grade or older. 9/10th grade applicants can apply to shadow at Elements as Crew-in-Training.

• EXPERIENCE. You must have experience working with elementary school aged children. Experience could include school settings, camp counselors or CIT’s, scout programs, team coaching, baby-sitting etc., and some outdoor recreation experience, including but not limited to: City Kids Wilderness Project, outdoor clubs, NOLS, Outward Bound, Scouting, team sports, summer camps, etc.

• LEADERSHIP. You need to set the tone for the program and teach by example: the Crew and Interns must be responsible, cheerful, punctual and prepared (all of equal importance).

• ATTIRE. You must be dressed for the elements and able to get involved in the activity that the kids are engaged in.

• COMMUNICATION. You must be able to communicate promptly with the Site Leader.

• FAMILIARITY. You must become familiar with the Elements locations where you are working. We schedule a pre-season, mandatory, paid Site Tour & Orientation prior to each of our After-School seasons.

• TRANSPORTATION. Often times the crew coordinates carpools! But you are responsible for getting to and from our Elements sites on time. Thanks to the generosity of Elements families, we underwrite transportation costs for our qualified Crew and Interns for whom proximity and/or transportation to our programs is challenging. If you are interested in working/interning at Elements, yet proximity and/or transportation to our programs is challenging, please let us know so we can provide support.

• AVAILABILITY. Elements Crew & Interns must be able to commit to the full season (but not necessarily every session) of Elements After-School sessions, and our mandatory, paid Orientation Session. Often times we hire based on what afternoons work with your schedule, so feel free to apply even if you are only available for some of the weekly sessions / locations.

  • Winter ‘24 Season: Sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for 5 weeks from Jan. 30 through Feb 29.

  • Spring ‘24 dates TBD but typically late March through early May

• PUNCTUALITY. Elements Crew & Interns must be on-site at 4:00 for the Crew Brief and can depart at end of programming and after our post-session crew de-brief (typically 6:00).

Application Guidelines

If you meet the above qualifications and would like to be considered, please follow the below steps. Margaret Rietano will contact you once she receives your completed application. Feel free to reach out to Margaret at (mrietano@theelementsdc.com) if you have any questions:

Click for Elements Job/Intern Application Form: Winter /Spring ‘24

Upon completion of the Elements Application and upon review of the submitted information, We will contact you to schedule an interview. References will be contacted and per DC regulation: background checks, DC Child Abuse and Neglect application review and Sexual Registry review. Final decisions will be made upon completion and review of all applicants files. If hired: we will provide you with an Elements Contract, our Crew Manual, payroll details and your Shift Schedule.

WHY YOU WANT THIS JOB:

Because, just like everyone at Elements, you:

• Are passionate about the outdoors, wellness, and the guts and glory of working for a small business.

• Enjoy the company of other humans: elementary through college-aged kids, non-profit & corporate executives, outdoor enthusiasts and newbies included.

• Believe in our mission of getting people of all ages outside, active, and grounded and providing creative experiences in the outdoors to build a happier, healthier and stronger community. At Elements we see an opportunity to play a role in how people authentically connect.

• Are devoted to creating an open and collaborative environment with new ideas and insights.

ABOUT THE JOB:

This. is a seasonal 9-month (September - May), Hourly. (10+/- hours/week) position. We are looking for someone who is excited about this flexible schedule and likes to wear many professional ‘hats’ and is willing to go above and beyond to make Elements the best. You will be managing administrative, operational and programmatic aspects of our KIDS program.

• ADMINISTRATION/OPERATIONS: Manage weekly tasks that include communicating with participant families, managing participant registration and writing newsletters for wider audiences. Update and maintain website, social media platforms, print contented brand for creative updates and consistency of messaging to help market all Elements DC offerings and events. Weekly administrative responsibilities with emphasis on program logistics and brand promotions:

• PROGRAM DIRECTING: Manage logistics and execution of Elements After-School Seasons and Custom Sessions, including hiring and managing our KIDS Crew, Site Leading both After-School. and Custom Sessions and weekly communications with parents & Crew.  Pre-season and weekly organizing of KIDS’ program materials and communications. Must be on site for each the KIDS After-School sessions is necessary. Typically 4:00 - 6:00pm

WORKING AT THE ELEMENTS DC

We are growing and are looking for someone who can grow with us. We are adaptable and, like the seasons change, so too does our pace of work:

Work TIME: 

• The Administrative hours for this position can be flexible and will vary depending on ‘program’ demand, projects, goals and deadlines but typically will be from September to May and 10+/- hours/week.

• The Programmatic hours: Fall, Winter and Spring are our busiest seasons with daily administrative tasks and woodland programming (4:00 - 6:00pm) for our KIDS Afterschool Seasons and Custom Sessions.

• KIDS Afterschool ‘Seasons’: Mon.- Thurs. (occasional Fri.) from 4:00 - 6:00pm

• Fall: 5 weeks from mid October - late November

• Winter: 5 weeks from late January - early March

• Spring: 5 weeks from late March -late April

• KIDS Custom Sessions (by request between after. school seasons):

• Custom Sessions offered: Sept., Oct., Dec., Jan., March, May

• Summer, as well as holidays (Thanksgiving, December religious holidays, New Years) is our time to regroup, plan and think big and also allows applicant the opportunity for other work opportunities or travel/family & friend time. Summers/Holidays are off &. unpaid.

Work LOCATION: 

• Admin Time: Remote; can be done flexibly

• Program Time: Parks of NW DC; Glover Archbold, Montrose, Dumbarton Oaks, Battery Kemble Parks and occasionally Rock Creek Park.

Reports to: Founder & Director                                                      

Effective Date: Onboarding/training start upon hiring. Accepted candidate will be considered for an annual raise based on performance. 

Position Type: Multiyear, seasonal (September - May). Leaving the option for the employee to partake in non-Elements work/activities during morning, summer, and holidays.

Pay: Hourly commensurate with past work experience. For the right person, opportunities for growth with Elements.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• You are as comfortable in the woods as you are at the computer and vice versa.

• You have outdoor skills and outdoor education. experience, have worked with (or raised) children and administrative experience.

• Strong communication & client engagement skills (written/verbal/presentation). Ability to work with diverse constituencies and ages.

• Self-motivated, results oriented, organized, resourceful, focused, and great at prioritizing. Detail oriented, with the ability to balance administrative tasks with running on-site programming for kids.

• Excellent computer skills including Google Drive (including Docs and Sheets), Social Media and Communications (Square Space, Canva, Mail Chimp, Facebook/Instagram), and Quickbooks. We will train you in navigating our registration platform.

• Demonstrated sound judgment, ability to apply depth of knowledge and experience in solving complex challenges/making recommendations where no precedent may exist and manage risk.

• Reliable transportation since this position is responsible for making sure equipment is delivered to the parks/event sites.

• Kindness, flexibility and good humor highly desirable.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

If you meet the above qualifications and would like to be considered, please submit your application here and email mrietano@theelementsdc.com to discuss interest and schedule a talk.

1.   Once we review your information and application, we will schedule a time to meet and get to know you in person (or via zoom if necessary). 

2.   Final decisions will be made upon completion and review of all applicants files.