Summer Camp Counselor Apprentice

The Chattanooga Zoo is seeking enthusiastic individuals for the upcoming summer zoo camp season. Our June - July Summer Camp program is for children who are rising 1st graders - middle school age.

Camp Counselor Apprentices are needed Monday through Friday to provide day-to-day support and act as the liaison between Zoo Camp Counselors, Education Camp Coordinator, and the Education Program Manager. The position is intended for youth that have had previous experience during Zoo Summer Camp or other teen oriented Zoo programs and they wish to grow in administrative, leadership, and support skills before pursuing a Camp Counselor position.

Important Dates:

Camp Dates: June 2nd - August 1st, 2025; (Off week of July 4th)

Training: May 27th - May 30th, 2025

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE:

• Support counselors in maintaining a safe environment for campers during activities, transitions between activity locations, drop-off and pick-up, off-site field trips, and on-site animal areas.
• Assist camp counselors in both classroom and outdoor settings by helping manage camper behavior and providing support in sensitive situations, such as administering First Aid, addressing sensory overloads, or offering additional supervision when needed.
• Review camp lesson plans and assist in adapting activities as needed to best suit the needs Facilitate prepared educational programming, such as lessons, activities and crafts.
• Ensure the physical and emotional safety and well-being of program participants.
• Organize and maintain program materials and supplies.
• Manage groups of program participants.
• For a complete list of roles and responsibilities, please see Full Job Description below.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of sixteen (16) years of age

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Light: Manipulate, move, and transfer up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force to constantly move objects. This position requires sitting or standing for long periods of time but also may require movement across uneven terrain on Zoo grounds.

Physical Environment: This position is occasionally exposed to external elements which include heat/cold, wet/humid, dry/arid and extreme weather conditions. Counselors will be exposed to fluorescent and dim lighting and various allergens including but not limited to pollen, grass/hay, dust, hair, dander, and nuts.

The Friends of the Zoo, Inc (Chattanooga Zoo) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Zoo will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

The Chattanooga Zoo has adopted a smoke-free campus to serve as a leader in promoting a healthy workplace and environment.

The Chattanooga Zoo is a member of the Tennessee Drug-Free Workplace program. This position requires pre-employment screenings which will include: a drug screen & background check.