Camp Counselor-Seasonal

Position Information: Seasonal, May 22, 2023 – August 11, 2023 (start/end dates are flexible)

The workweek is generally Monday – Friday, the workday varies from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, and is based on camper enrollment.

SUMMARY:

Naples Zoo at the Caribbean Gardens is seeking enthusiastic individuals to facilitate our Camp WILD summer camp programs. The purpose of this position is to inspire and teach children to appreciate wildlife and the natural world. 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 the all weeks of the summer Camp WILD program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Enthusiastically engage campers ages 5 – 10 years old by leading creative, unique, educational and environmental, conservation focused curriculum through techniques, including investigation, exploration, and inquiry.
• Provide mission-based zoo tours, animal encounters, arts, games, and activities that support animals, plants, wildlife, and conservation.
• Conducts 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.  
• Complete assigned responsibilities including camp set-up, clean-up, program maintenance, and a tidy working-order classroom.
• Supervise campers, camp counselor interns, and education volunteers with direction and support from the Education Programs Supervisor.
• Utilize appropriate classroom management and supervision while managing the campers throughout the day; pick-up, drop-off, daily schedule, and lunchtime activities.
• Organize and prepare all daily supplies for activities including free play, arts, and games.
• Set up and breakdown equipment and activities related to summer camp.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following have been identified as physical requirements of the job:

• 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.

SUPERVISION:

Work is performed under the direction of the Education Programs Supervisor and the Director of Education. Additional guidance is received through established policies and procedures, plus verbal and written communications.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  

• 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 be willing to consent and obtain to a TB test,  background check, and  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 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 an 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 work independently and follow direction from the Education Programs Supervisor, Education Coordinator, and/or the Director of Education.
• Experience working in/with recreation programs, schools, zoos, aquariums, environmental education centers, and/or combination thereof is a preferred.   
• Experience in a leadership role or supervising interns or volunteers is a plus.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Candidates must have a High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Candidates with a minimum of one year of college coursework or professional experience in a related field; education, environmental education, psychology, ecology, biology, or zoology is preferred.

• Experience working with elementary aged children in formal/informal settings is preferred.  
• Experience working in environments with live animals is a plus.

LANGUAGE ABILITY:

• Ability to respond to common inquiries, requests or complaints from guests and/or staff in a kind and courteous manner.
• Multi-lingual is a plus.  

REASONING ABILITY:

• 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.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid Florida driver’s license or valid state driver’s license is required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Working conditions for this position are normal for an indoor environment.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.   Work indoors/outdoors risk periodic exposure to fairly predictable and controllable hazards associated with wild animals and zoonotic diseases.

The duties listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

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.