Lead Camp Counselor [Temporary Full-Time]

• Lead 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 Get ready for a wild camp season! Starting early March, kick off the Zoo Camp season during Spring Break’s Nature Adventure program before shifting to the summer sessions’ curriculum, camp counselor training, and learning all about the zoo. Once the summer’s elementary and middle school camp programs begin in late May, the Lead Camp Counselor will support daily camp operation, from chatting with parents, assisting Camp Counselors with group management, presenting animal ambassadors, and restocking supplies, to leading activities and subbing in camp groups – and everything in between!

As a Lead 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:

March-May: camp preparation, staff training and program support

Tuesday-Saturday: combination of weekday 8:00-5:00p and 11:30-8:30p shifts, as well as daytime weekend shifts

• June-August: camp operation and program implementation
• Monday-Friday, 7:30-4:30a

* Assist Camp Coordinator with various aspects of camp:

Make camp groups’ weekly schedules

• Provide support to groups during behind-the-scenes visits

• Assist with all camp training sessions

* Assist with daily camp drop-off and pick-up:

Greet families with an upbeat attitude

• Assist with verifying the identity of designated individuals who are authorized to pick up campers

• Communicate any and all camper concerns to adults during pick-up
• Assist with Camp Counselor daily support.
• Assist Camp Counselors during program material set-up and clean-up (e.g. arranging furniture, preparing and returning activity supplies, organizing snack).
• Assist with the transition of campers from the regular camp day into After Care.
• Provide one on one support to campers in need of redirection or a guided conversation regarding camp expectations.
• 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.
• Lead, support, and interpret age-appropriate presentations, activities, games, and zoo tours.
• Become knowledgeable about camp activities, effective delivery methods, and group management.
• Become familiar with the zoo’s plants, animals, operations, and conservation initiatives.
• Become proficient in small animal handling and presentations, in accordance with established protocols.
• Lead Education Ambassador Animal presentation to camp groups.
• 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.
• Assist with supporting other educational programs as needed
• 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.
• Strong desire to work with children grades K-5 in a fun, high-energy, outdoor setting.
• Strong desire to provide support to peers and coworkers in a day camp setting.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to work and complete tasks with minimal oversight or supervision.
• Strong communication skills; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely with children, parents, and team members.
• Interest, proficiency and motivation to work independently and as part of a team, without continuous guidance from leadership.
• 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, engaging, and managing elementary-aged group programs e.g. camps, scouts, classroom presentations, children’s programs.
• Experience writing/creating educational curriculum preferred.
• Two years’ paid experience in a camp or zoo/aquarium education department setting or formal teaching experience preferred.
• Ability to speak fluent Spanish, preferred.
• Responsibility for completion of all online training curriculum by assigned deadline.
• Successful candidates must complete a pre-employment National Sex Offender Search, Criminal Background Check, and Drug Screen.
• We enjoy year-round operation for all staff, must be available day, nights, weekends, and occasional special after-hour assignments.

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.