Summer Camp Instructor, Seasonal/Full-Time

Join us at the Zoo's Education Department as a Seasonal Camp Instructor and be part of creating unforgettable memories for children. Play a pivotal role in creating a safe, engaging, and educational environment for our campers. Through storytelling, songs, games, and activities, you'll craft developmentally appropriate experiences that captivate young minds and foster a love for learning. Rain or shine, you'll oversee daily camp activities, from preparing materials to ensuring efficient cleanup duties.

Communication is key in our dynamic environment. You'll communicate progress and concerns with parents and caregivers, maintaining professionalism and sensitivity at all times. Building positive relationships with families is paramount, ensuring a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. Safety and security are top priorities, and you'll enforce standards for campers, volunteers, staff, and visitors alike.

As a mentor to our campers and ZooTeen! volunteers, you'll provide guidance and supervision in the classroom. Maintaining meticulous records of attendance, incidents, and other necessary paperwork is essential for smooth operations. Most importantly, you'll celebrate the achievements and successes of our campers, nurturing a culture of positivity and encouragement.

In this role, adaptability and teamwork are key, fueled by your contagious enthusiasm for teaching and learning. If you're dedicated to seeing our camp through, have experience guiding children, and have completed at least a year of college, we want you on our team! Bring your vibrant personality and passion for education to shaping the future generation. 

Help us engage our campers to experience a safe, positive culture of innovation, empowerment, and collaboration to meet our mission, "Connecting the community to wildlife with wild places."

Do you have...

• Ability to commit for the duration of camp dates, June 10, 2024 – August 9, 2024?
• Previous teaching experience supervising children in a formal/informal setting?
• One (1) year of college study and ability to engage children with an energetic personality?
• Ability to to build positive engaging relationships?
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or willingness to learn related software required to complete tasks?
• Ability to pass pre-employment requirements; Level II background and 5 panel drug screen?

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to work outdoors and indoors under all environmental conditions and temperatures.
• Able to consistently speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation, public speaking, and general communication with of public audiences.
• Ability to transport and move items occasionally up to 25 pounds without difficulty.
• Ability to consistently remain on feet for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to access and navigate each department at the organization on foot and/or operate a motorized cart.
• Ability to operate hand or power tools.
• Exceptional visual acuity required, along with the ability to communicate, comprehend and decipher information accurately, using a two-way radio.
• Manual dexterity for standing, reaching, flexibility, and body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling, stoop, bend, lift, kneel, crawl, climb, jump, dig and prolonged standing/sitting.
• Grasp, turn, and manipulate objects of varying size and weight, requiring fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Visual and auditory acuity appropriate for animal care, safety and to discern differences for computer screens, documents and/or labels.
• Auditory acuity for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, two-way radio, and face-to-face interactions.

Inclusion, diversity, and equality as a value
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens embraces diversity in a meaningful way and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of a person's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, age, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, weight, or height. 

EOE / DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE