The Assistant Camp
Instructor assists the Zoo’s education department by enthusiastically
delivering hands-on, educational programming to children 4 to 13 years old.
This position is responsible for administering high quality curriculum that
aligns with the theme and the goal of the camp, ensuring the safety of all
campers in their care, and supporting the mission of the Zoo “to enrich lives
through firsthand interaction with living things.” Assistant instructors are
responsible for maintaining a positive culture within their group by directly
interacting with campers in games and activities, organizing materials and
supplies, and aiding the lead instructor.
Summer camp at the
Lincoln Children’s Zoo is ten weeks long, beginning the week of Memorial Day.
Camp hours are from 8:15am to 4:15pm Monday through Friday, with instructors’
contract hours somewhere between 7:30am and 5:00pm. A typical day of camp
includes approximately two hours of interactive, STEM-based lessons, lunch and
free-play time, crafting, snack time, and a series of activities throughout the
zoo including scavenger hunts, zookeeper chats and animal demos, and various
science and nature exploration activities.
While curriculum is
provided, instructors are expected to be able to work collaboratively and with
exceptional creativity, knowing that working with children creates its own
unique challenges and things do not always go according to plan. A sense of
humor and flexibility is a must, as well as the ability to actively and
independently problem-solve when issues arise.
This is a full-time, seasonal position for summer 2026. Applicants
must be available for a minimum of 8-9 weeks of the summer with minimal time
off.
Essential Job Functions
- Work
directly with children of varying ages and abilities
- Responsible
for the safety and well-being of campers
- Actively
contribute to positive guest experiences
- Deliver
STEM-based, educational programs to summer campers
- Introduce
program participants to a variety of animal species through lessons,
activities, and games
- Serve
as a team player and work collaboratively with your co-teacher
- Communicate
with families before and after camp
- All
other duties as assigned
Preferred
Talents and Qualifications
- Age
18 years or older strongly preferred, but younger applicants with significant
experience may be considered
- Experience
facilitating or teaching youth in an education setting or related experience strongly
preferred
- Must
be able to pass a background check
- CPR
and First Aid certifications preferred
- Ability
to work collaboratively and with creativity
- Enthusiasm
for nature and wildlife
- Superior
organization and time management skills
- Demonstrated
ability to work independently with little supervision
- Ability
to supervise children with a kind yet firm authority
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are
representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform
the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While
performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand,
walk, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands or arms, climb or balance,
talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The
employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Working Environment
While performing the duties of this job,
the employee will be exposed to both indoor and outdoor conditions. This
position may also be exposed to extreme temperatures and inclement weather
conditions; the environment may consist of wet, hot, or muddy conditions. Must
be able to work some nights and weekends for training sessions.
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