Camp Instructor - Woodland Park Zoo

Title: Camp Instructor

SALARY & FLSA: $20.00 per hour; FLSA non-exempt

OPENING DATE: 02/20/2024

CLOSING DATE: 06/10/2024 (May close sooner if a sufficient number of qualified applications is received.)

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Temporary

UNION: Non-Represented

OPENINGS: 44

LOCATION: Onsite

DEPARTMENT: Learning and Innovation

This is a seasonal position beginning June 14 and finishing August 30. The program operates Monday-Friday from 8:00am- 4:30pm.

HOW DO YOU ZOO?

More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what’s at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.” Apply today and show us how you zoo.

WHO YOU ARE

As our new Camp Instructor, we know you will be successful in this role because you:

Love Working with Children: You enjoy facilitating and presenting age-appropriate curriculum for young audiences, instilling excitement for conservation and wildlife. You can use your experience presenting thematically based interpretive programs and classes to ensure that all Zoo Campers have a positive experience. Leading camp songs and games is something you are excited to do.

Are Comfortable Speaking and Working with Everyone: You are comfortable and confident working with teammates, people from other departments, and assisting zoo guests. You enjoy working as part of a diverse team, equally sharing in the hard, fun, and sometimes tough daily work of camp. You treat everyone with respect, adapt your communication based on the audience, and always communicate inclusively. You are ready to lead a group of diverse campers and actively support them daily.

Are A Strong Multi-tasker: You are comfortable managing multiple tasks and projects with high energy. You love to use your creative problem skills and are flexible when changes arise.

Enjoy Dynamic Work Environments: You enjoy working in environments where no two days are the same. You are happy to work outside most of the day, regardless of the weather conditions. You are confident in your ability to mediate conflict and supervise young audiences. You can respond to the changing needs of campers.

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Facilitate and present engaging age-appropriate curriculum and activities to camp participants

Mediate conflict and provide supervision for youth camp participants.

Plan and execute daily transitional activities, including songs and games.

Facilitate reflection activities to ensure processing of curriculum content.

Respond to the needs of campers throughout the day.

Provide group management and basic customer service.

Follow all safety protocols and maintain an environment that supports the safety and well‐being of camp participants.

Attend training sessions and scheduled meetings as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Ability to speak a language other than English

First Aid & CPR certified

QUALIFICATIONS

One (1) or more years of combined education and experience in early childhood, natural science, or environmental education.

Experience presenting thematic interpretive programs or classes to audiences of all ages

Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects with high energy and creative problem‐solving skills.

Flexibility in program delivery and handling changes in deadlines and operation protocol.

Ability to work independently and within diverse teams and environments, while treating everyone with respect.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and be willing to live in Washington State.

BENEFITS

The Woodland Park Zoo offers temporary staff the following benefits:

4 complimentary Zoo tickets per year plus other discounts and perks 

Accrue 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked

403(b) Retirement Plan  

Free staff parking

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 

SELECTION PROCESS

Application: Please include a resume with your application through our Zoo Careers site at zoo.org/jobs. Please be sure to list or upload copies of all relevant training and certifications on your application. The zoo may review existing application pools to fill this position or use this pool to fill future vacancies. 

This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org.

Screening: We will review applications. Final candidates will be invited for virtual or in-person group interviews.

Offer: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check.