Seasonal Camp Educator - Full-time / Part-time

SUMMARY:  Seasonal Camp Educators at Birmingham Zoo are part of a dedicated team promoting science, social and emotional learning, and nature play engagement in all aspects of summer camps and experiences for children and teens ages 5-15. This individual will be responsible for leading participants through provided curriculum and ensuring participants’ safety, behavior management, and supervision.

DUTIES

• Implement pre-designed instructional programming aligned with the Zoo’s mission, philosophy, and goals.
• Foster an inclusive, physically and emotionally safe learning environment for diverse participants and staff.
• Use effective teaching strategies to engage learners and encourage enthusiasm for Zoo summer programming.
• Assess and report participant learning and engagement in collaboration with the Manager of Learning and Education Program Specialists.
• Coach, evaluate, and support assigned teen volunteers.
• Establish and consistently enforce classroom expectations in accordance with Zoo summer programming guidelines.
• Take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of participants, animals, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Provide operational support for Zoo summer programming both inside and outside the classroom.
• Build collaborative relationships across the Education and Volunteer teams and other Zoo departments.
• Deliver excellent customer service to guests and program participants, including responding to questions and addressing parent or guest concerns.
• Serve as a positive ambassador for the Birmingham Zoo.
• Prepare daily instructional materials, supplies, and activities in advance of programming.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and orderly classroom environment.
• Follow all Zoo policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• None

SAFETY ANALYSIS

The Seasonal Camp Educator is responsible for the safety of minors during their Zoo summer programming experience, which will include but may not be limited to:

• Thorough understanding of guest safety protocols, particularly with young children.
• Management near hazards associated with train, adventure tower, or other on-site attractions and animal habitats
• Specific training and procedures designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the Zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection.

They may be impacted by hazardous exposures common to an office environment as well as public safety in an outdoor environment:

• Exposure to hazardous waste management
• The proper use and understanding of cleaning agents
• Mandatory use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment

All employees of the Zoo are required to be familiar with the Zoo’s overall safety policies as outlined in the employee handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Manipulating, delivering, and distributing supplies and materials to others or to new locations
• Accommodating and supervising active groups of 12-15 participants across the distance of the Zoo and in play spaces of varying terrain several times a week
• Monitoring and adapting to exposure to varying outdoor elements related to weather and associated potential hazards
• Standing, walking, and talking for long stretches of time (up to several hours)
• Ability to project voice to be heard by a crowd out of doors
• Frequent walking for long distances up and down steep inclines and some uneven and unpaved ground
• Hours at a time spent outdoors with exposure to weather conditions
• Frequent exposure to the elements can be expected
• Exposure to wet surfaces
• Frequent interaction and engagement with the public, including large groups of all ages