Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

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.
• Create directed lesson plans focused on applicable NYS learning standards with related schedules, crafts, activities, and media (PowerPoint, etc.).

Relationship Building & Communication

• 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.
• Collaborate with fellow camp educators and the Education & Conservation Manager to troubleshoot issues and continuously improve programming.

Camper Supervision & Safety

• 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).
• Complete required incident and behavioral documentation accurately and promptly.

Professional Expectations

• 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.
• Always represent the Utica Zoo professionally and positively.

Minimum Requirements

• 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.
• Proof of a negative TB test before employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience working with diverse populations and implementing culturally responsive teaching practices.

Education / Experience:

• 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.

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