SUMMER CAMP and CONSERVATION & CAREERS DESCRIPTION
Up to 1000 children, ages 5-17, attend full-day (8:30 am to 3:30 pm) Summer Zoo Camp or the Conservation & Careers Teen Experience at the Birmingham Zoo. Students participate in themed educational activities in the classroom and out on Zoo grounds. Zoo summer programming at the Birmingham Zoo is educational and encourages active learning through games, activities, special encounters, and experiences that cater to appropriate learning levels.
Participants are mostly from the Birmingham area, though some may travel up to 2 hours to attend Zoo summer programming. Participants represent a wide range of backgrounds, learning and social needs, and identities. Most are primarily English-speaking, although they may use other languages at home.
RESPONSIBILITY
The Seasonal Camp Educator is part of a dedicated team of educators that will promote science, social and emotional learning, and nature play engagement in all aspects of Zoo Camp and the Conservation & Careers Teen Experience. Educators are responsible for leading the participants through the curriculum developed for Zoo summer programming and for the participants’ safety, behavior management, and supervision. Seasonal Camp Educators will ensure that the materials, supplies, crafts, and activities are prepared for each day, and are responsible for keeping their classroom area clean and orderly.
DUTIES
- Implement a pre-designed program of instruction that adheres to the Zoo’s mission, philosophy, goals and objectives as outlined.
- Work with a diverse group of participants and staff that vary in race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender identity & expression, and physical & cognitive abilities.
- Create a physically and emotionally safe environment conducive to learning by employing a variety of appropriate teaching strategies.
- Encourage student enthusiasm for the learning process and the development of good Zoo summer programming habits.
- Provide progress reports and support assessment of participant learning and engagement as required to the Manager of Learning and with the aid of Education Program Specialists
- Coach, evaluate, and develop assigned teen volunteers as needed.
- Develop, in accordance with Zoo summer programming guidelines, reasonable rules of classroom behavior and appropriate techniques that are consistently applied.
- Take necessary and reasonable precautions to protect participants, equipment, materials, facilities, and resident animals.
- Provide operational support of Zoo summer programming both inside and outside the classroom.
- Follow all Zoo policies and procedures.
- Build positive relationships within the Education and Volunteer team and with other Zoo departments.
- Actively support a positive guest experience by providing excellent customer service to all guests and program participants, and provides excellent customer service by responding to questions about educational programming, addressing parent/guest concerns, etc.
- Be a positive ambassador for the Birmingham Zoo
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
No direct reports. Supervision of teen volunteers as assigned.
SAFETY ANALYSIS
The Seasonal Camp Educator position is impacted by hazardous exposures common to public safety in an outdoor environment. Some of the following situations may occur daily:
- Responsibility for the safety of children during their Zoo summer programming experience.
- The proper use and understanding of cleaning agents
- Thorough understanding of guest safety protocols, particularly with young children.
- Inclement weather and hazards associated with ensuring participant safety.
- Viral prevention cleaning and sanitization procedures.
- Responsible management near hazards associated with train, adventure tower, or other ride operations
Specific training and procedures will be provided, designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the Zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection.
Seasonal Camp Educators, as with any employee of the Zoo, are required to be familiar with the Zoo’s overall safety policies as outlined in the employee handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department and Manager of Learning or other Education Supervisor. Seasonal Camp Educators may also be required to wear a face covering if CDC, state, county, and/or city guidelines are updated to require such precautions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee should be able to perform the following as able or with accommodations:
- Manipulating, delivering, and distributing supplies and materials to others or to new locations
- Accommodating and supervising active groups of 12-15 participants across the distance of the Zoo and in play spaces of varying terrain several times a week
- Monitoring and adapting to exposure to varying outdoor elements related to weather and associated potential hazards
