Do you love STEM, enjoy working with young people, and thrive in a hands-on, high-energy environment? The University of Southern Maine (USM) is excited to hire STEM Camp Counselors to join our dynamic outreach team for spring and summer camps. This is a rewarding opportunity to inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence in students while gaining valuable leadership and teaching experience.
The STEM Camp Leader plays a central leadership role in the daily operation of USM and Maine Robotics STEM camps, ensuring a high-quality, engaging, and well-organized experience for campers, families, and staff. Each camp serves up to 16 campers, with ages ranging from 9 to 17 (no camp spans more than a five-year age range), allowing for meaningful mentorship and age-appropriate learning.
As the Camp Leader, you will oversee all aspects of camp operations, including supervising and supporting camp counselors, managing daily camper check-in and check-out, and serving as the primary point of contact for parents and guardians. You’ll foster a positive, inclusive camp culture by addressing camper needs, resolving conflicts, and modeling strong leadership and professionalism. The role also includes delivering short educational presentations, managing equipment and materials, securing camp spaces, and troubleshooting issues as they arise to keep programs running smoothly.
The Camp Leader coordinates logistics across locations, working closely with camp counselors and University of Southern Maine central staff to transition camps between sites as needed. You’ll also recruit and host visiting presenters and organize local walking or transported field trips when appropriate. Flexibility is key, as this position may require stepping into different camp rooms temporarily or shifting between STEM topics from week to week.
If you enjoy leading teams, problem-solving on the fly, and creating memorable STEM learning experiences, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact while building strong leadership and program management skills.
Camp Topics May Include:
- 3D Printing and Design
- Build Your Own Computer
- DIY Robotics & Electronics
- LEGO Robotics and LEGO Builders
- Advanced LEGO Robotics
- Programming in Minecraft
- Astrophysics in Minecraft
- Ecology Camp
- STEM Residential Camp
About the Program
USM’s STEM Outreach Program , housed within the College of Science, Technology and Health , leads a wide range of K–12 STEM initiatives, including Maine Robotics programs, the Southworth Planetarium, and numerous community-based outreach efforts across the state.
Training & Support
Comprehensive training is provided at the end of June, ensuring you feel confident and prepared to succeed.
Standard First Aid/CPR training required (provided or reimbursed).
Position Details
- Supervises: Camp Counselor(s) and up to 16 campers
- Reports to: Director of STEM Outreach or the Camp Director
- Duration: 1–6 weeks of active camp, and one week of training at the end of June in Gorham/Portland.
- Schedule: Up to 40 hours per week (overtime is rare and requires prior approval)
- Compensation: $27.00–$35.00 per hour, based on education and experience
- Location: Varies by camp (click here for details)
- Travel: May be required depending on the conditions, contact USM STEM Outreach Director for more information. Lodging is provided by USM at local facilities.
If you’re enthusiastic about STEM education, enjoy mentoring youth, and want to make a meaningful impact while building professional skills, we’d love to hear from you. Join USM this season and help spark the next generation of innovators!
Required Qualifications :
- Experience working with children.
- Experience in a STEM field, either directly or as an educator.
- Experience with at least one of the camp topics, or equivalent
Preferred Qualifications:
- 4-year Degree or equivalent educational experience
- Teaching or educational support certificate and at least 2 years of professional experience.
- Summer camp or summer activity experience.
To apply , click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below or visit our USM Careers Page and submit the following:
- Cover Letter
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Finalist candidates will be asked to provide a list of the names and contact information for references.
These positions will remain open until filled .
We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.
Appropriate background screening will be conducted for the successful candidate.
About the University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands-on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment, USM is a steward of higher education, helping drive the economic, cultural, and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and beyond.
USM is committed to providing expanded access to high-quality education that elevates economic opportunity and contributes significantly to the vitality of a diverse society. To learn more about USM, visit About Our University .
The University of Southern Maine fosters a welcoming and supportive campus environment that respects and appreciates diverse perspectives, enhancing teaching, learning, personal growth, and overall institutional achievement. USM encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including women, veterans, and those with differing abilities, experiences, and cultural perspectives.
We are dedicated to our Service Promise, Student Focused Every Day and seek a team member who embraces this commitment and upholds our core values of Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity, and Responsiveness.
The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/ .
Clery Act
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish, and distribute an Annual Security Report (ASR), and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. View the University’s Annual Security Report (PDF) . If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact our Public Safety Office at 207.780.5211.
