What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Summer Camp Educator position at Tennessee Aquarium?
At the Tennessee Aquarium, we strive to connect people with nature and empower them to make informed decisions about water and wildlife. We are passionate about our values, which include respect for conservation, a mindset of lifelong learning, and a collaborative, learning-based, respectful work environment.
The goal of our summer camps is to instill and foster a love for animals and nature through animal encounters, being outdoors, crafts, games, and play. Lead Camp Educators will guide and support the team of counselors and teen counselors in training (CITs), during the Aquarium's summer day camps. Lead Camp Educators will maintain professional standards, demonstrate positive behavior management of campers, exhibit superior customer service skills, and ensure the safety of campers by following organizational policies, procedures, and standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist the Youth Development Coordinator by pulling camper reports and prepping physical camp supplies.
- Act as the point of contact during off-site field trips throughout the summer for our general and specialty camps.
- Assist in supervising and providing guidance for our Counselors in Training (CITs), who are between the ages of 14-17 yrs old hired to support the Camp Educators.
- Exceptional customer service during in person, phone, and email communications with parents/guardians.
- Help carry out the evaluation plan set by the Youth Development Coordinator.
- Support all camp staff by being available to step in when needed. Situations may include medical assistance, behavioral management, and helping to facilitate camp experiences.
- Use suitable research-based education methods, such as techniques for engagement, inquiry based learning, and interactive experiences, while facilitating camp programming.
- Encourage campers to actively discover, question, and participate in science. Make impromptu changes to programs to meet the needs of campers of different ages and needs.
- Actively demonstrate positive behavior management by providing alternatives, giving choices, redirecting, and logical consequences in response to inappropriate behaviors.
Key Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years of age when applying.
- Day camp experience or experience with classroom management with a group size between 15-20 children required.
- Experience working with children with special needs preferred.
- Some college experience preferred, science and education classes a plus.
- Experience with early childhood learning a plus.
- Passion for teaching environmental science in a hands-on play setting, and for working with children to encourage them to engage with activities.
- High level of organization, ability to multi-task, act calmly under pressure, contribute to problem solving, and work well as part of a team.
- Superior customer service and communication skills.
- Ensure discretion with confidential information.
- Adhere to the camp dress code policy, which includes black or khaki shorts/pants, camp t-shirt (provided), and closed toed shoes.
- First Aid and CPR (provided paid training if needed)
- Valid Driver's License (required to operate Aquarium vehicles for field trips)
Seasonal, hourly (up to 40 hours/week, $16/hour); Monday-Friday (shift start/end times will rotate), May 24 - August 8
All submissions must be received by April 23, 2025.
Salary : $16
