Camp Counselor

DEPARTMENT: Education

REPORTS TO: Director of Education, Education Lead

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

TYPE OF POSITION: Part Time (Seasonal)

WORK MODEL: On-Site

PAY RANGE: $11.00 TO $12.00 hr.

JOB SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Director of Education and Education Lead, the Camp Counselor will work closely with the Education Department’s input or design to ensure the camp runs according to plan and schedule. This is a competitive, valuable opportunity at an AZA-accredited facility. 

Camp counselors will not get experience handling animals but will have many opportunities to talk about the animals throughout the zoo.

TIMELINE: All weeks of camp during needed camp hours. Camp dates vary per summer camp season. Hours are Monday through Friday, typically 8 am to 4 pm. Camp counselor training will be provided over a two-day orientation prior to the first week of camp. 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Person is expected to be with his/her designated camp group at all times during their scheduled shift.
• They should be able to locate a camp group or camper if requested.
• Helps supervise check-in and check-out procedures daily to ensure a smooth process.
• Is knowledgeable of all policies and regulations established for camp staff and campers.
• Observe and help the Director of Education, Education Lead, and Education Specialists enforce all rules and regulations established for camp.
• Communicate pertinent camper information with the Lead Camp Counselor.
• Assist campers and fellow camp counselors while participating in camp activities.
• Monitors and assists with shaping appropriate camper behavior in compliance with summer camp rules, policies, and protocols.
• Mediate camper disputes or behavioral situations and effectively communicate these situations with the Lead Camp Counselor and all Education staff.
• Collaborates with the Lead Camp Counselor to determine the appropriateness of campers’ behavior.
• Assists Education Staff with ensuring spaces planned for camp are reserved, cleaned, and set up.
• Works closely, cooperatively, and amicably with all staff members.
• Reports any observed difficulties related to illness and/or injury of campers immediately to the Director of Education. Ensures an incident report is filled out by all those involved and that any appropriate codes are called under appropriate circumstances.
• Seeks advice from the Director of Education, Education Lead, and Education Specialists when needed.
• Is able and willing to communicate honestly and openly with all zoo staff, interns, campers, guardians, and guests.
• Performs other duties as assigned but managed by the Director of Education.

SKILLS COMPETENCIES

•  Share a passion for the environment and share that enthusiasm with campers through engaging and motivational interactions.
• Able to receive instructions and carry them out with relative independence.
• Ability to follow any zoo and department-specific policies.
• Must have established and proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Able and willing to learn to communicate technical information to a variety of audiences.
• Able to follow all Education Department Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other official departmental documents.
• Able to report to each scheduled shift on time and stay for the duration of their shift. Moderate flexibility is required due to the potential for extended care camper registration.
• Must have skills to foresee and apply safety precautions applicable to the work.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• No allergies to plants and animals which may interfere with their ability to work. 

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Applicant must be 18 years of age or older. 
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• The ideal applicant must have graduated high school or obtained a GED, and be enrolled in and/or have completed credits towards a Bachelor’s degree in education, biology, environmental science or related field or equivalent work experience. 
• Satisfactory results are required on criminal record checks, fingerprinting clearance, and child abuse history clearance. 
• Previous experience working with children in a group setting is preferred. 
• First aid, CPR or additional training is preferred but not required. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. 

• Physical Demands: Performing the job duties of this position involves walking throughout the zoo grounds, standing for long periods, and other physical tasks, including sit; stand; use hands to fingers; handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. Employees must occasionally lift and/or move/transport up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  
• Work Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal. While performing these job duties, you will sometimes be required to work outside in all weather conditions throughout the day.