Summer Camp Counselor

Looking to make a difference in the lives of pets and people? With an almost year-round beautiful blue sky and a scenic mountain backdrop, HSPPR is a nonprofit animal shelter serving El Paso, Pueblo, and Douglas Counties as well as the City of Centennial in the colorful State of Colorado. We employ a total of 200 employees. We are an organization that celebrates and prioritizes diversity and inclusion. HSPPR welcomes you to apply for the exciting position of Event Specialist at our Colorado Springs campus.

Job Summary

The Summer Camp Counselor is responsible for implementing the Camp Whiskers & Wags initiatives, nurturing a sense of compassion, respect, and fostering humane attitudes toward all living beings; under the direction of the Youth Education Manager, along with the other camp counselors, assists to implement summer camp curriculum.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Administration of Camp Program

• Practice positive behavior management of children, as taught in Summer Camp Counselor training.
• Facilitate hands-on children's activities and animal interactions with groups of children at HSPPR summer camp.
• Prepare teaching materials and monitor camp supplies.
• Treat animals humanely, acting as a positive role model.
• Assist with administrative duties associated with the camp program, including schedules, attendance, parent communication, presentations, and check-in/-out.
• Work cooperatively with staff and presenters, assisting with logistics and behavior management of campers.
• Modify camp materials and activities as needed.
• Monitor children at all times, reporting any concerns to Youth Education Manager and Summer Camp Supervisor.
• Complete injury documentation for accidents and injuries.

Relationships

• Cultivates and maintains relationships with Supervisors, Junior Camp Counselors, as well as camp attendees and their families.

Safety

• Provide a safe, clean, and healthy environment for children and animals involved in the camp program.
• Promote a safe work environment, actively monitors the safety compliance of staff and volunteers; takes immediate action to correct hazards.
• Properly reports, documents, and addresses animal behavior issues.
• Ensure and promote a safe work environment; following all safety guidelines and modeling safe work practices.
• Actively monitor the safety compliance of staff and volunteers and report concerns to appropriate managers.
• Take immediate action to address any safety concerns and that could put a staff member, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.

Public Relations

• Represents HSPPR in a professional light and promotes our mission and goals.

Communication

• Communicate effectively and professionally with campers, parents/guardians, co-workers, and the public at all times.
• Documents staff and volunteer complaints. Handles complaints and/or concerns from, or about, Camp staff or volunteers with professionalism and good judgment. Evaluates volunteer performance and addresses issues promptly. Involves Youth Education Manager as necessary.
• Communicates with and provides regular feedback and/or coaching to Camp volunteers in a professional and timely manner.

Customer Service

• Informs Youth Education Manager of developments that may affect HSPPR or the department including department progress, media exposure, public image, client concerns, and personnel issues.
• Supports staff and volunteers; provide quality services to clients, volunteers, and employees recognizing their individual contributions to the success of our organization.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Assists with maintenance and inventory of supplies and equipment for the camp program.
• Plans and organizes in anticipation of future needs.

Performance Management and Supervision

• Assist to train, work with, and supervise adult and teen volunteers in camp activities.

Other

• Commitment to the mission, values, goals and success of HSPPR.
• Appropriately documents observed animal behaviors utilizing objective language as required in relevant procedures and/or policies.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Duties

• None

 Physical Demands

• The employee must regularly lift and/or move 25 or more pounds of moving weight and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 or more pounds of moving weight.
• Occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell.
• Regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, hear, and is frequently required to stand and walk. Will be expected to be on feet for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to use both hands and arms to grip, pull and push utilizing safety equipment such as, but not limited to catch poles, snappy snares, leashes, ropes, muzzles.
• Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Must handle various animals of various sizes, may include aggressive animals and potential exposure to zoonotic diseases.
• Regularly exposed to noise, outdoor elements, and potential exposure to hazardous weather conditions.
• Potential exposure to cleaning supplies and/or other substances containing toxic or caustic chemicals.

Schedule Requirements

This is a full-time, temporary position. Monday - Friday. Schedule may vary and can include weekend and holiday work.

Education/Experience Necessary

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum 3 months experience (460 hours) working with school-age children in education or related field and can provide verification of experience.
• Knowledge of animal behavior and animal handling experience preferred.
• First aid/CPR training preferred.
• Knowledge of learning styles and age-appropriate behavior.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Must be able to pass extensive background screenings

**Application Deadline: Sunday , May 3, 2026 or until position filled**

The core values of the staff unite us and guide us to provide the best service to the animals in our care, our organization, and our community.

Core Values Statements-

• Compassion: We believe that animals matter. We are committed to treating animals and people with kindness, respect and compassion.
• Stewardship: We are accountable and transparent in our actions and in the use of our resources to build trust in those we serve.
• Integrity: We believe we can make the greatest impact by staying true to our mission, always doing what is best for the animals and people of our community, and by standing united in our decisions.
• Excellence: We are passionate about our mission, and strive for excellence through continual learning, innovation and the development of our board, staff and volunteers.
• Collaboration: We seek strategic partnerships and alliances to advance the welfare and protection of animals and people.
• Service: We exist to serve our communities and operate with this commitment to serve as front and center in all we do.

As a condition of employment with HSPPR, you will be required to authorize HSPPR and ProScreening to conduct a background check before confirming an employment start date. The background check will include a criminal investigation, verification of citizenship/immigration status, and a motor vehicle record. By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that any offers of employment will be contingent upon completion of the background check to the satisfaction of HSPPR.

In consideration of any offers of employment made as a result of your interest in this position, by applying for this position, you hereby waive any and all claims that you may have against HSPPR for invasion of privacy in respect to drug testing and background checks as listed above.

Salary : $16