Are you passionate about wildlife and enjoy working with children? Join our team as a Seasonal Part-Time Counselor for our Summer Zoo Camp! We are seeking individuals who are friendly, patient, enthusiastic, good with kids, and know how to make learning fun.

Our camps feature lots of exciting animal interactions and fun activities that give children an opportunity to be a real zookeeper! We offer two age groups:

Zoo Kids: Campers age 6-8 love this fun and exciting look into the world of animals. Campers spend the week exploring the diversity of wildlife, animal diets, habitats, and enrichment.

Zoo Keepers: Campers age 9-12 get an introduction to the knowledge and experience needed to work with animals. Campers learn the difference between animal groups, diets, care, and enrichment!

Summer Camp Counselors are the single most consistent presence in the experience of each camper, and have the greatest potential impact on each camper’s summer. They stay with the same set of campers throughout the week and create physical and emotional safety of each and every camper within a team. This role is seasonal part-time, working Monday - Friday.

Responsibilities:

• Previous experience working with children in a camp or educational setting preferred
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Enthusiasm for wildlife conservation and education
• Availability to work 4-6 hours shifts daily, Monday - Friday
• For consistency, we prioritize applicants who are able to commit to working for the full duration of the summer from June 17 to August 9.
• Applicants with less than 4 continuous weeks of availability will not be considered for this role.
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Ability to balance multiple tasks while working efficiently and with enthusiasm

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Supervise and lead a group of 10 campers each week, fostering a fun experience with inclusion and connection:
• Maintain a safe and joyful environment for campers and provide leadership and camp spirit to all.
• Continually assess and support camper engagement by monitoring group dynamics, as well as the needs of individual campers.
• Facilitate team connection time with your campers through group activities, games, etc.
• Partner with instructors to support behavior management needs of the campers.
• Prep and organize project materials in collaboration with the lead counselor.
• Provide both group and individual support to campers across diverse age groups, ability levels, and support needs.
• Provide exemplary customer service to each camper, family, and guardian at all times
• Enthusiastically greet all campers and guardians ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all.
• Follow all check-in/check-out procedures to ensure efficiency and accurate daily attendance.
• Communicate with families as needed about their camper’s experience.
• Help campers start and finish their day with positive energy and excitement, ensuring a safe hand-off to/from guardians.
• Enthusiastically and collaboratively participate in all camp activities
• Collaborate with your teammates to plan, set up, and run daily activities.
• Supervise and lead campers to ensure safety at all times during presentations, all-camp activities, snack and lunch.
• Promote a positive camp experience at all times with your energy and camp spirit.

SCHEDULE

All camps operate Monday - Friday. New hires must attend a two-day training period prior to the start of the first camp.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Some lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs.
• Work outside during the summer and hot weather
• Assist campers with cleaning enclosures, making animal diets, and creating crafts, and other camper activities
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and kneeling

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30 per week

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Childcare: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Sylmar, CA 91342 (Required)

Work Location: In person