Summer Camp Inclusion Coordinator

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect, and by embracing our Core Values of: Welcoming, United, Curious, Courageous and Transformative in all that we do.

The Summer Safari Camp Inclusion Coordinator supports the educational, behavioral, social-emotional, and physical needs of Summer Safari campers by updating, adjusting, and implementing inclusive systems and practices for DZCA Safari Camps. This role collaborates with camp staff, caregivers, and participants to ensure a responsive, adaptable, and positive learning environment for all. This position advances the mission of DZCA through the support of programs that build foundational connections to nature for students, developing interest in and affinity for wildlife and the natural world, and strengthening their ability to engage in developmentally appropriate conservation action. 

All applicants must be available for mandatory training: Saturday, May 10th- 9 am-12:30 pm (Virtual); Monday-Friday, May 12th-May 23rd- 4 pm-7 pm (Virtual); Saturday, May 17th & May 24th- 9 am-5:30 pm (In-person). Summer Safari runs May 28 – August 8, 2025, Monday-Friday. 

Our team is made up of passionate and diverse professionals dedicated to providing excellent care for our animals while creating meaningful experiences for our guests. If you're excited to contribute your skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is the place for you!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Collaborate with the Conservation Learning Manager and Camp and Special Programs Coordinator to update inclusion philosophy, practices, and systems for Safari Camps; adjust as needed. 
• Develop and facilitate training on inclusion systems and practices, observe and coach camp staff, providing timely suggestions and adaptations to ensure camper success in programming. 
• Review, track, and report on the application of inclusion systems and practices; deliver recommendations for improvements to the program coordinator/leadership.  
• Responsible for camp adherence to all child/protection policies, environmental, safety, and health regulations, procedures, and goals; proactively communicate with program coordinator/leadership about concerns. 

Camper Support

• Review curriculum for proven accessibility practice/universal design; adapt activities, rules, equipment, and/or supplies to guide quality participation by all camp participants. 
• Aide camp staff with successfully executing weekly/daily camp curriculum and classroom management strategies utilizing inclusion systems and practices; support a positive camp environment through effective conflict resolution, collaboration, positive reinforcement, and modeling. 
• Consult with parents/caregivers before and during camp, soliciting information about campers’ learning, social and behavioral needs, and accommodations; complete and deliver behavioral notes/incident reports. 
• Create individualized inclusion plan for campers; partner with camp staff and related stakeholders to implement; assist in the classroom or directly with the camper as required; problem-solve and adapt inclusion plans as needed.  

Communication

• Provide excellent communication; communicate in clear language and adjust the use of language to participants’ level.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with all other DZCA staff members, volunteers, camp participants, and their parents/caregivers.  Proactively communicates with program administrators/leadership about program needs and concerns. 
• Represent DZCA to the community professionally and positively. 

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Other assistance, as designated by the Conservation Learning Manager: Child and Family Discovery, to support the overall goals of the department and organization.  DZCA retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time.
• Acts as a good steward of DZCA resources.
• This position will interact with managers at all levels and staff members across the organization, in addition to members of external organizations and the public. 

Technical / Professional Requirements & Qualifications

• 2-year degree in social services or similar/related field, or equivalent combination of training and experience preferred, including coursework in special education, therapeutic recreation, or behavioral analysis; candidates must be at least 18 years of age.   
• One year of direct experience working with individuals with physical, sensory, and/or intellectual disabilities; minimum three months working with children in an educational setting, (e.g., camp, daycare, student teaching, school, park district, special recreation association, or cultural institution); personal or professional experience with the disability community, or any equivalent combination of experience, lived experience, and/or special skills. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  

• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, are preferred.
• Requires organizational skills, written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize work and tasks. Requires adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-task, and changing environment, and the ability to work as part of a team.
• Requires the ability to embrace, support, and integrate Denver Zoo’s philosophies to promote and demonstrate its commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and anti-racism. 
• Schedule Availability: All applicants must be available for mandatory training: Saturday, May 10th- 9 am-12:30 pm (Virtual); Monday- Friday, May 12th-May 23rd- 4 pm-7 pm (Virtual); Saturday, May 17th & May 24th- 9 am-5:30 pm (In-person). Summer Safari runs May 28 – August 8, 2025, Monday – Friday.  Weekly hours are flexible, and complete summer availability and schedule are to be collected and confirmed upon hire.  Positions available 16-40 hours/week, with daily hours varying between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Work Location: On campus. 

Compensation

The hourly rate for this position is $25.00.

Benefits

This is a seasonal position and as such is not eligible for benefits at this time; however sick time is accrued.

Application Process and Timelines

Application deadline: March 10th, 2025. Review of applications will begin immediately.  DZCA reserves the right to close the position prior to this date. 

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

www.denverzoo.org