Summer Camp Lead Instructor

Summer Camp Lead Instructor

Department: Learning & Engagement

Reports To: Camp & Family Programs Supervisor

Location: Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium & Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana 

Nature Center

General Summary: 

Summer Camp Lead Instructors (“Lead Instructors”) are seasonal camp staff who are directly responsible for the delivery 

of programming and activities for their assigned camp group as well as the personal safety and positive experience of their 

campers. They are classroom leaders and act as mentors for Instructors and Counselors-in-Training (teen volunteers) 

assigned to their group. These positions are great for folks who enjoy working with children and have prior experience with 

managing groups of children in a classroom, camp, or other educational environment.

We are hiring Lead Instructors for the following facilities, with shift times from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.:

• Audubon Zoo

• Audubon Aquarium & Insectarium

• Audubon Louisiana Nature Center

We are hiring Lead Instructors for the following age groups:

• 4 & 5 years old

• 6-10 years old

• 11-13 years old

2024 Summer Camps run Monday-Friday from June 3-August 2, with a week off July 1-5. Mandatory staff training will be 

held May 28-31.

To deliver on the Audubon mission, Lead Instructors will: 

Provide a guest experience of outstanding quality by…

• Working collaboratively with camp staff, management, and volunteers to deliver engaging camp programming

• Supervising campers ages 4-13 throughout the camp day including during scheduled activities such as animal 

encounters, playground time, and Cool Zoo (for Zoo camp)

• Supervising, mentoring, and evaluating Counselors-in-Training (teen volunteers ages 14-17)

• Following established schedules, policies, protocols, and guidance from camp management

• Moving groups of campers through their facility in an engaging and safe manner

• Understanding the significance of their role and how they can make a positive impact on camp participants

• Communicating camper and programming needs or concerns to Camp Management in a timely manner

• Maintaining an organized, clean, and welcoming classroom and ensuring non-wasteful use of educational supplies

• Leading and modeling classroom management expectations and strategies in cooperation with Camp Management

• Leading classroom team pre/post-shift feedback sessions with instructors and CITs 

• Ensure completion of classroom tasks and checklists

Position Title: Summer Camp Lead Instructor

Department: Learning & Engagement

Reports To: Camp & Family Programs Supervisor

Location: Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium & Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana 

Nature Center

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Date Written/Revised: March 2024

Job Description 

Summer Camp Lead Instructor 

Summer Camp Lead Instructor Job Description, page 2 of 3

Educate our diverse audience about the natural world by…

• Utilizing provided activities and facility exhibits to talk about animals, nature, and conservation in an age-appropriate 

manner

• Communicating accurate information about the facility, its inhabitants, and conservation.

• Encouraging curiosity and storytelling among campers as a means of engagement.

The above-listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed regularly. They do 

not exclude other duties as assigned.

To deliver on the Audubon service promise, Camp Lead Instructors will: 

Welcome

• Make eye contact with every customer encounter, smile at every person, offer friendly phrases and greetings

• Wear an identification badge

• Assume ownership of potential safety hazards (wipe-up spills, pick up trash). Always have the camera-ready look

Share

• Maintain a positive attitude, pleasant tone of voice (remember it is not what you say, but how you say it).

• Coach coworkers on service expectations.

• Utilize the power of teamwork to give excellent service.

• Know when to involve management.

Inspire

• Know the answers to questions or seek out the answers.

• Utilize proper phone etiquette (answer phone within three rings, smile before answering call, ask for permission and 

wait for response before placing caller on hold).

• Ensure work area is free of food, drink, socialization, and personal business.

• Follow Dress Code Policy on clothing and grooming.

• Keep unpleasant concerns behind closed doors (vent backstage).

Supervision: Responsible for supervising assigned campers (ages 4-13) and Counselors-In-Training (youth 

volunteers ages 14-17).

Experience:

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• 1 years working with children in a camp, classroom, or other formal/informal environment is required

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with youth from diverse backgrounds

• Demonstrated experience instructing children in a formal or informal educational setting

• Demonstrated experience leading or mentoring peers preferred

• Knowledge of wildlife conservation and environmental issues preferred

Education: Bachelor’s degree or coursework in Education, Biology, Zoology, or a related field preferred, and/or 

equivalent work experience

Summer Camp Lead Instructor Job Description, page 3 of 3

Physical Requirements:

• Standing or walking for up to ¾ of the day and the ability to carry items weighing up to 30 lbs.

• Ability to perceive visual or behavioral changes in children to determine general wellbeing. Must have excellent 

peripheral vision, depth perception, and quick motor response for child safety during programming

• Ability to speak loudly to crowds in a variety of situations included moderate to loud crowds

• Typical ability to collect and analyze numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions 

and ability to determine the time, place and sequence of operations or actions required

• Regular talking and the ability to express and exchange ideas by means of language expected

• Regular hearing and the ability to perceive the nature of sounds.

Environmental/Working Conditions:

• Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner required 

• May be exposed to high, medium, or low noise intensity 

• Constant contact with co-workers required

• Working with and around children required

• Affinity for animals required

• Exposure to fluctuations in temperatures is required

• Exposure to extreme heat and outdoor conditions is required

Other abilities, skills, knowledge:

• Must be goal-oriented and self-motivated

• Must have willingness and ability to take initiative

• Must have willingness to promote and practice Stand Out Service

• Must work effectively in a team environment