POSITION INFORMATION: May 4th, 2026 – August 14th, 2026, Pay - $18-19/hour
- The workweek is generally Monday – Friday, the workday varies from 8:00am – 5:00pm, and is based on camper enrollment.
Position Summary:
The purpose of this position is to play an important role in the facilitation and leadership of Naples Zoo at the Caribbean Gardens’ summer camp, ensuring inclusion of all individuals that participate in camp programs. The Inclusion Specialist will support the educational, behavioral, social-emotional, and physical needs of summer Camp WILD campers. With the Supervisor, the Inclusion Specialist will help train and support Camp Counselors on inclusion practices and resources and modify existing camp programs to ensure quality participation by all. Naples Zoo prides itself on its mission to inspire people of all ages to respect, value, and conserve wildlife and the natural world. Camp WILD engages children in thematic conservation education programming: art, activities, games, tours, exclusive experiences and animal encounters that support the mission of Naples Zoo. Candidates eligible for hire must be available for all weeks of the summer Camp WILD program.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Assist Camp Program Supervisor with the coordination of inclusion practices in Camp WILD:
- Assist in reviewing camper registrations for allergies, medications, and support needs.
- Support communications with camp families to establish camper support plans
- Create and conduct training for camp staff on inclusion practices
- Create, communicate, and implement individualized support plans
- Provide support for camper behaviors that arise
- Provide one-on-one support for campers as needed
- Help support a positive camp environment through effective conflict resolution, collaboration, positive reinforcement, and modeling
- Assist in maintaining documents and inclusive supports/supplies
- Understand what inclusion resources are available at the Zoo, including but not limited to: guest experiences, habitats, and staff, and how to utilize these in the Camp WILD program.
- Ability to work with and direct camp staff on implementation of positive behavior management and support plans for campers
- Research and maintain best inclusion practices pertaining to education in a zoo setting
- Monitor campers' behavior and ensure campers follow camp rules and regulations; address any issues promptly in accordance with the Camp WILD behavior policy, reporting any larger issues to the Camp Program Supervisor
- Create a debrief report at the end of the summer camp season, including data on the number and nature of support requests, summaries of changes made to camp’s inclusion practices, materials, and training, as well as recommendations for further improvement
- Conduct all activities in accordance with Association of Zoos and Aquariums and organizational standards, regulations, safety, policy, and procedure.
- Provide excellent guest service to all campers, caregivers, guests, teams, and co-workers.
- Adhere to all policies, including but not limited to safety, programs, cleaning etc.
- Work with a team to create, build, and maintain a good working rapport ensuring a fun, safe, and engaging learning environment for the campers.
- Promptly document and report all camper related issues, safety, repairs, and hazards. This includes, but is not limited to, camper behavior, incidents, and emergencies.
- Serve as a substitute counselor if needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Candidates are required to be at least 18 years of age.
- Willingness to support organization’s Vision, Mission and Values while working with children in our camps.
- Must obtain a TB test, pass a background check, and pass a drug screen upon hire.
- An active CPR certification & first aid training is preferred. If CPR certification is not obtained prior to hire date, CPR certification will be offered within 14 days at the Zoo’s expense.
- Must be present and able to attend all required training, program weeks, and clean-up.
- Excellent organizational skills, ability to multitask, flexible, and the ability to provide exceptional guest service.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, and the ability to practice open communication with supervisors and coworkers.
- Willingness to work around animals, including reptiles, mammals, birds, amphibians, and invertebrates.
- Must be flexible, fun, creative, responsible, dependable, adaptable, and have enthusiasm for children and wildlife.
- Highly motivated, energetic, is a team player, and has a positive attitude.
- Ability to speak appropriately, comfortably, and confidently in front of groups of various sizes and ages.
- Ability to physically and mentally remain calm and maintain control during emergencies that arise.
- Have the ability to establish positive and productive relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
- Proven ability to interact with other staff, guests, and/or volunteers, and to maintain an energetic and positive attitude.
- Ability to respond to common inquiries, requests or complaints from guests and/or staff in a kind and courteous manner.
- Must be able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Needs to be able to think logically and solve problems with little or no guidance.
- Ability to work independently and follow direction from the Camp Program Supervisor, Education Programs Supervisor, and/or the Director of Education.
- Experience working in/with recreation programs, schools, zoos, aquariums, environmental education centers, and/or combination thereof is preferred.
- Experience in a leadership role or supervising interns or volunteers is a plus.
- Multi-lingual is a plus.
Education and/or Experience:
- Candidates must have a High School diploma or GED equivalent.
- Candidates must have a minimum of one year of college coursework or professional experience in a related field; education, special education, or psychology.
- Minimum three months’ experience working with children in an educational setting, e.g., camp, day care, student teaching, school, park district, Special Recreation Association, or cultural institution.
- One year of direct experience working with individuals who have a variety of physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities is preferred.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Physical requirements:
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and stand for long periods of time.
- The employee is occasionally required to sit, walk moderate distances, balance, stoop, bend, kneel and crouch.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
- Must be able to play actively with children on their level, bend over, stand for extensive periods of time and move quickly when necessary.
- Must be able to work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions (at times temperatures exceeding 90 degrees).
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
SPECIAL INFORMATION
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance
Naples Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The ADA requires Naples Zoo to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with the Human Resources Office.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Naples Zoo is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive company culture, and our team does not discriminate against candidates and employees because of their disability, sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under the law.
