Around 600-1000 children, ages K to 12th grade, attend full-day (8:30 am to 3:30 pm) Summer Zoo Camp or the Teen Leadership Experience at the Birmingham Zoo. Children 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, nature play activities, age-appropriate explorations, and special encounters. Rich in STEM-based and play experiences, Zoo summer programming engages the natural curiosity of children and young adults and allows ample time to develop critical emerging scientific skills and build relationships with others and confidence in themselves.
Participants are mostly from the Birmingham area, though some may travel up to 2 hours to attend Zoo summer programming. Youths represent a wide range of backgrounds, learning and social needs, and identities. Most are primarily English-speaking, although 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 Summer Teen Leadership Experience. Educators are responsible for leading the participants through the curriculum developed for Zoo summer programming and for the youths’ 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
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Work with a diverse group of participants and staff that vary in race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender identity & expression, and physical & cognitive abilities.
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Create a physically and emotionally safe environment conducive to learning by employing a variety of appropriate teaching strategies.
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Encourage student enthusiasm for the learning process and the development of good Zoo summer programming habits.
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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
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Coach, evaluate, and develop assigned teen volunteers as needed.
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Develop, in accordance with Zoo summer programming guidelines, reasonable rules of classroom behavior and appropriate techniques that are consistently applied.
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Take necessary and reasonable precautions to protect participants, equipment, materials, facilities, and resident animals.
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Provide operational support of Zoo summer programming both inside and outside the classroom.
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Follow all Zoo policies and procedures.
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Build positive relationships within the Education and Volunteer team and with other Zoo departments.
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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.
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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:
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Responsibility for the safety of children during their Zoo summer programming experience.
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The proper use and understanding of cleaning agents
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Thorough understanding of guest safety protocols, particularly with young children.
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Inclement weather and hazards associated with ensuring participant safety.
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Viral prevention cleaning and sanitization procedures.
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Responsible management near hazards associated with train, carousel, 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 at all times, based on CDC, state, county, and/or city guidelines.
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:
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Manipulating, delivering, and distributing supplies and materials to others or to new locations
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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
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Monitoring and adapting to exposure to varying outdoor elements related to weather and associated potential hazards
QUALIFICATIONS
The Birmingham Zoo recognizes that skills and knowledge come from both formal and informal experiences including education, paid work, volunteer service, and life experience. Those who meet the majority of the requirements for a position are encouraged to apply.
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Effective organization, oral and written communication, leadership, multi-tasking, and collaboration or team skills
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Demonstrated competency or passion for engaging kids and teens in nature and science
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Experience working with or openness to be coached on working with children of different learning abilities and backgrounds
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Familiarity with or willingness to be trained on basic lesson planning and teaching principles
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Interests aligned with interdisciplinary teaching, outdoor or environmental education, inquiry-based learning, or human development
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First Aid/CPR certified, willing to become certified if able, or responsive to follow care procedures with other certified staff
POSITION TYPE AND HOURS OF WORK
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Seasonal (no benefits)
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9 weeks, beginning May 20, 2024, up to 40 hours per week.
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Weekdays, working hours may range from 7:15am to 4:15pm.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Birmingham Zoo is dedicated to creating a global community where all people value wildlife and wild places. As a workplace, the Zoo is guided by its core values: Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Sustainability, and Diversity & Inclusion.
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, neurodiverse individuals, and those with diverse lived experiences are encouraged to apply for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and functions of this position.
Birmingham Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status or any other characteristic protected by law.
If selected, a background check and drug test will be conducted prior to beginning employment. Birmingham Zoo Inc. is a not-for-profit entity. The rate of pay for this position is $12.00/hour.