Seasonal Zoo Camp Educator
26 days ago
Utica
Job DescriptionDescription: Position Scope: The Seasonal Zoo Camp Educator is responsible for creating a safe, engaging, and inclusive camp experience that connects children to wildlife and conservation. This position leads and supports daily camp activities, facilitates age-appropriate educational programming aligned with New York State Learning Standards, and ensures camper safety and well-being at all times. The Zoo Camp Educator serves as a role model and mentor, demonstrating empathy, professionalism, enthusiasm, and strong behavior-management skills while fostering a fun, structured camp environment. Essential Functions: Program Planning & Instruction • Develop and implement structured, age-appropriate lesson plans aligned with applicable NYS learning standards., • Prepare weekly schedules including crafts, games, STEM activities, conservation messaging, and multimedia components (e.g., presentations, visual aids)., • Incorporate conservation education best practices to connect campers with environmental issues, threats, and solutions., • Adapt programming to meet the developmental, physical, and emotional needs of diverse learners., • Provide a safe and supportive learning environment., • Establish and maintain positive, respectful relationships with campers, families, volunteers, and staff., • Communicate camper progress, concerns, or behavioral updates to parents/guardians in a professional manner., • Provide constant, active supervision of campers to ensure safety and engagement., • Maintain appropriate camper-to-staff ratios as determined by zoo policy., • Conduct daily safety inspections of camp areas, materials, and equipment., • Follow and enforce all zoo and camp protocols, including check-in/check-out procedures, sanitation standards, behavior management systems, and emergency action plans., • Respond appropriately to behavioral challenges, accidents, illness, injuries, or emergencies (fire, severe weather, lost camper, animal-related codes)., • Attend and actively participate in all required staff training, meetings, and workshops., • Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, and preparedness each workday., • Maintain confidentiality regarding camper and organizational information., • Ability to commit to the schedule from May 21st to September 2nd., • Must be at least 18 years of age., • Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions for extended periods., • Current certification in American Red Cross First Aid and CPR (or ability to obtain before start date)., • Ability to pass a background check., • Pursuing or holding a degree in environmental education, education, biology, conservation, child development, or a related field., • Familiarity with Social Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks., • Experience leading group activities, crafts, recreational programming, or environmental lessons., • Completion of at least one year of college coursework., • Experience working with children in a camp, classroom, childcare, or informal education setting. Physical Requirements: • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds., • Ability to walk, stand, bend, kneel, and sit for extended periods (up to two hours at a time)., • Ability to work outdoors in heat, humidity, rain, or uneven terrain.