What are the responsibilities and job description for the Summer Camp Counselor position at Animal Welfare League of Alexandria?
Description
The Summer Camp Counselor is responsible for supporting the management of the AWLA’s summer camp program for Alexandria’s youngest animal lovers. This is a contract position. The core dates of employment will be June 4, 2026 to August 21, 2026, with an unpaid break between June 29 and July 3, 2026.
Requirements
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:
This position is supervised by: Volunteer Program Manager
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB INCLUDE:
Summer Camp:
- Assist the Humane Educator with implementing a series of ten, week-long day summer camp programs for children.
- Assist the Humane Educator with leading high-quality humane education-based activities and recreational opportunities enjoyable for campers aged 6 through 13.
- Supervise campers and ensure their safety and general well-being.
- Maintain the schedule for camp participants.
- Working with different AWLA departments, facilitate lesson plans for daily activities, including safe animal interactions.
- Organize and lead various small and large group activities.
- Ensure the cleanliness of the camp spaces.
- Mediate any campers’ disputes and create a safe space.
- Assist in maintaining accurate program records, including incident reports and daily attendance.
- Know and understand all emergency procedures associated with the camp program and the AWLA.
- Know, enforce, and follow all safety guidelines associated with the summer camp program.
Position Specifications
Required:
- Minimum 1-year experience working with campers, students, volunteers, youth groups, etc.
- Proven ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy workplace environment.
- Understanding of humane care and treatment of animals.
- Comfort with handling animals of all sizes.
- Strong customer service skills and the ability to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times.
- A belief in the mission of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- Experience working or volunteering in an animal shelter environment
- Experience with positive reinforcement, force-free animal behavior training, and handling
- Proficient with written and spoken Spanish
Working Conditions:
- Indoors in a high-noise, air-conditioned/heated building, outdoors at shelter, or on-location for various activities
- Equipment use includes the use of a PC, laser printer, copy machine, fax machine, telephone, power washer, industrial dishwashing machine, washing machine, dryer, and cleaning supplies
- The chosen candidate must successfully pass a required background check
- Must have availability for the entire camp season
MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND COMMUNICATION DEMANDS:
- Regular exposure to animals, cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal feces, bites, scratches
- The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
- The employee must frequently bend, grip, and be flexible to do so
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
- Ability to work around pet dander, dust, and other allergens without issue
- Regularly required to stand and walk
- Requires working at times with minimal supervision - must be self-motivated
- Requires patience and tact when working with difficult, emotional, or angry people
- Must have the ability to effectively communicate; verbally and written, over the phone and intercom, with a wide variety of both internal and external individuals, including the Directors, Managers, Coordinators, the staff, a volunteer workforce, partner organizations, donors, and private citizens
- Requires treating people and animals in a pleasant, courteous and professional manner
- Adherence to the AWLA’s policies and philosophies
This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, service in the military, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.
Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training.