04-Apr-2024

Substitute Camp Counselor (seasonal)

2622BR

Temporary/Seasonal

Job Function and Responsibilities

Are you looking for a job with a true sense of purpose with a mission-based organization? Do you like working with kids and love animals? The Chicago Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo is currently looking to fill multiple openings for Substitute Camp Counselor (seasonal). This position contributes to the success of the Chicago Zoological Society by providing the highest level of quality customer service and extraordinary guest experiences with top-quality programming to participants to further the Society's mission of inspiring conservation leadership. This position is a substitute and fill-in position, so scheduled hours may be intermittent and will be available on an as needed basis.

Primary duties and responsibilities include:

1. Substitutes for Camp Counselor positions, as needed, through Zoo Camp.
2. Facilitates a variety of camp program topics and themes through techniques, including investigation, exploration and instruction.
3. Partners with Camp Inclusion Specialist to plan for accommodation of participants with special needs.
4. Facilitates program/activity development, prototyping, and documentation.
5. Supervises program participants throughout the park during all program activities and zoo tours, maintaining a minimum 1:5 staff to child ratio at all times.
6. Assists program participants with all activities, games, and projects that relate to the designated program themes.
7. Organizes all daily supplies for activities including free play, arts and crafts, snack time, and games.
8. Maintains open communication on a daily basis with parents and/or guardians of program participants regarding questions, concerns, discipline issues, daily activities, etc.
9. Directs and/or delegates Seasonal Camp Counselor Assistants to complete tasks as appropriate.
10. Other related duties as assigned.

Position Requirements and Specifications

The requirements for this position include the following: Salary is $19.25 per hr.

• High School diploma or (GED) equivalent required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age as required by the American Camp Association Guidelines.
• Two months or more paid and/or volunteer/unpaid experience working with groups of children and/or educating the public in a formal or informal educational setting, e.g., camp, park district, Special Recreation Association, day care, student teaching, school, or cultural institution, required.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills required.
• English fluency at a professional working proficiency.
• Must be an enthusiastic and flexible team player and able to work in a stimulating environment.
• Must have excellent customer service skills and ability to work with guests effectively.
• Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
• Must be able to be flexible and available on short notice.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience working at the Brookfield Zoo.
• One or more years of college or the equivalent of two years training and/or experience preferred, including coursework in education, biological sciences, communication, therapeutic recreation, or other directly related field or subjects, such as public speaking, interpretation, theater, recreation, environmental studies, children and families, or art and interpretation.
• Experience working in inclusive informal, educational, or recreational programs a plus.
• Experience in a zoo, aquarium, museum, nature center, or art studio environment a plus.
• Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.

Salary is $19.00 per hr.

Additional Information: This position description summarizes the primary duties and functions of this position, but should not be considered a complete listing of every duty the incumbent may ever be called upon to perform. Must represent the Chicago Zoological Society in an appropriate and professional manner to campers, families of enrolled campers and Zoo guests. Must have a genuine interest in nature and animals. Must be willing and able to learn play facilitation skills. Incumbent must display a positive attitude and be a positive role model to program participants and provide a fun and positive learning environment for program participants including school-aged children. Pre-school camp is for children 4 and 5-years old. School-age camp is for children in grades K-5. Incumbent may be scheduled to work non-standard hours including evenings, holidays, overnights, and weekends typically in the fall and spring. Camp programs run from June through August, training takes place in May. This position is a substitute and fill-in position so scheduled hours may be intermittent and will be available on an as needed basis. The work schedule for Zoo Camp is generally Monday through Friday, 7 to 8 hours per day, based on camper enrollment. All schedules are based on the needs of the operation.

Additional Information

The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Schedule Details

This position is a substitute and fill-in position so the scheduled hours may be intermittent and on an as needed basis. Incumbent may be scheduled to work non-standard hours including evenings, holidays, overnights, and weekends typically in the fall and spring. The work schedule for Zoo Camp is generally week days and may be 7 to 8 hours on a scheduled day.

Job Location

Chicago Zoological Society-Brookfield Zoo

Zip Code

60513

Department

Education and Community Engagement

Union Status

Non-Union