Summer Camp Counselor [Temporary Full-Time]
Collaborate with a passionate Zoo Crew in San Antonio
Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the place you choose to work at will support and guide you. With a diversity of passionate people, San Antonio Zoo is a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife.
The Impact You’ll Make in this Role
Zoo Camp Counselors are enthusiastic educators, responsible for leading weekly camp sessions and conducting camp activities in a safe way that inspire people to love, engage, act for, and protect animals and the places they live. Following provided curriculum, Zoo Camp Counselors create and promote fun and engaging experiences for campers while maintaining the safety and well-being of the group and individuals.
As a Camp Counselor, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people in San Antonio. Here, you will make an impact by:
Work schedule:
This temporary position offers part-time hours starting in April and/or May (camp staff training) and closer to full-time hours once camp begins. Camp starts May 28 and goes through August 16 and consists of twelve week-long camp sessions (Monday-, 7:30a-3:15p). After Care, for campers, is offered from 3:00p-4:30p. This seasonal position ends August 16, 2024.
- Assist with program material set-up and clean-up (e.g. arranging furniture, preparing and returning activity supplies, organizing snack).
- Support and deliver engaging, inspiring, accurate and creative programming to a diverse range of campers during child only programming.
- Monitor location, safety, and well-being of all participants attending the program.
- Support age-appropriate presentations, activities, games, and zoo tours.
- Become knowledgeable about camp activities.
- Become familiar with the zoo’s plants, animals, operations, and conservation initiatives.
- Support small animal handling and presentations, in accordance with established protocols.
- Effectively communicate and model appropriate conservation messages and zoo initiatives to participants and counselors.
- Build relationships with campers, as a group and individually, making each child feel important and heard.
- Attend and complete all San Antonio Zoo scheduled meetings, training, and professional development opportunities, as required.
- Adhere to all policies set forth by San Antonio Zoo.
- Enforce all San Antonio Zoo restrictions and limitations.
- Upholds all company policies as outlined in the Standard Operating Procedures, Team Member Handbook, and Code of Business Conduct.
- Consistently exhibit an attitude of service inside and outside of the Zoo, showing hospitality to all.
- Be fully committed to the mission of San Antonio Zoo to create awareness that inspires action to care for the wild world we steward and animals we protect.
Other Responsibilities
- Performs other work-related duties as required and assigned.
Your Skills and Expertise
To set you up for success in this role from day one, the San Antonio Zoo recommends the following skills/qualifications:
- Strong organizational and group management skills is preferred.
- Strong desire to work with children grades K-5 in an outdoor setting is required.
- Ability to work well with limited direction, alone or with a diverse team of staff and volunteers.
- Ability and flexibility to accommodate last-minute program and schedule changes with a positive and supportive attitude.
- Basic knowledge of biology, zoology, and the ability to organize, plan, collaborate and implement educational presentations.
- Experience leading K-5 group programs such as camps, scouts, classroom presentations, and children's programs.
- Knowledge and experience in education or conservation science is preferred.
- At least (2) years of college coursework in life sciences, zoology, education, environmental interpretation, or equivalent experience.
The San Antonio Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. San Antonio Zoo will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.