Camp Counselor [Temporary Part-Time]

San Antonio Zoo•San Antonio, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Collaborate with a passionate Zoo Crew in San Antonio Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the place you choose to work at will support and guide you. With a diversity of passionate people, San Antonio Zoo is a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife. Our Education Department is looking for enthusiastic summer camp counselors to lead mission-based zoo programs that inspire campers to love, engage, act and protect animals and the places they live. You will engage elementary-aged campers in weeklong, in-person sessions of day camp in June, July, and August. Training for camp counselors will be scheduled evenings and weekends from April 28-May 21. This position will have a target start date on April 28th, 2026 and a target end date of August 14th, 2026. As a Camp Counselor, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people in San Antonio. Here, you will make an impact by: Monitor location, safety, and well-being of all participants attending the program. Lead, support, and interpret age-appropriate presentations, activities, games, and zoo tours. Deliver fun, engaging, inspiring, accurate, safe, and creative programming to a diverse range of zoo campers, and occasionally other children only, adult only, and family-oriented program audiences. Become knowledgeable about camp themes and activities, effective delivery methods, and group management. Be able to work and complete tasks with minimal oversight or supervision. Become familiar with the zoo’s plants, animals, operations, and conservation initiatives. Effectively communicate and model appropriate conservation messages and zoo initiatives to participants. Build relationships with campers as a group and individually, making each child feel important and heard. Take responsibility for program material set-up and clean-up (e.g. craft supplies, food items). Attend and complete all San Antonio Zoo scheduled meetings, training, and professional development opportunities, as required. Adhere to all policies set forth by San Antonio Zoo. Enforce all San Antonio Zoo restrictions and limitations. Upholds all company policies as outlined in the Standard Operating Procedures, Team Member Handbook, and Code of Business Conduct. Ability to commit to attending camp trainings (April-May) and working the majority of summer camp (May-August) Always offer Awesome Guest Service to all zoo guests, program participants, and the general public. Consistently exhibit an attitude of service inside and outside of the Zoo, showing hospitality to all. Be fully committed to the mission of San Antonio Zoo to create awareness that inspires action to care for the wild world we steward and animals we protect. Other Responsibilities Performs other work-related duties as required and assigned.

Requirements

Strong organizational and group management skills.
Strong desire to work with children grades K-5 in a fun, high-energy, outdoor setting.
Strong communication skills. Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely with children, parents, and team members.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to work well with a diverse team of staff and volunteers, as well as individually, with limited direction.
Ability and flexibility to accommodate last-minute program and schedule changes with a positive and supportive attitude.
Basic knowledge of biology, zoology, and the ability to organize, plan, collaborate and implement educational presentations.
Experience leading, engaging, and managing group programs e.g. camps, scouts, classroom presentations, children’s programs.
Responsibility for completion of all online training curriculum by assigned deadline.
Successful candidates must complete a pre-employment National Sex Offender Search, Criminal Background Check, and Drug Screen.
We enjoy year-round operation for all staff, must be available day, nights, weekends, and occasional special after-hour assignments.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and experience in education or science is preferred.
Two years of college coursework in life sciences, zoology, education, environmental interpretation, or equivalent experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitor location, safety, and well-being of all participants attending the program.
Lead, support, and interpret age-appropriate presentations, activities, games, and zoo tours.
Deliver fun, engaging, inspiring, accurate, safe, and creative programming to a diverse range of zoo campers, and occasionally other children only, adult only, and family-oriented program audiences.
Become knowledgeable about camp themes and activities, effective delivery methods, and group management.
Be able to work and complete tasks with minimal oversight or supervision.
Become familiar with the zoo’s plants, animals, operations, and conservation initiatives.
Effectively communicate and model appropriate conservation messages and zoo initiatives to participants.
Build relationships with campers as a group and individually, making each child feel important and heard.
Take responsibility for program material set-up and clean-up (e.g. craft supplies, food items).
Attend and complete all San Antonio Zoo scheduled meetings, training, and professional development opportunities, as required.
Adhere to all policies set forth by San Antonio Zoo.
Enforce all San Antonio Zoo restrictions and limitations.
Upholds all company policies as outlined in the Standard Operating Procedures, Team Member Handbook, and Code of Business Conduct.
Ability to commit to attending camp trainings (April-May) and working the majority of summer camp (May-August)
Always offer Awesome Guest Service to all zoo guests, program participants, and the general public.
Consistently exhibit an attitude of service inside and outside of the Zoo, showing hospitality to all.
Be fully committed to the mission of San Antonio Zoo to create awareness that inspires action to care for the wild world we steward and animals we protect.
Performs other work-related duties as required and assigned.