What are the responsibilities and job description for the Camp Zoo Instructor position at THE PHOENIX ZOO?
Job Details
Description
Department: Learning and Engagement
Supervisor: Camp Supervisor
Supervises: None
FLSA Status: Part time; Seasonal; Non-exempt
Starting Pay Rate: $18.50/hour
Application Submission Deadline: Open until filled
General Statement:
The Camp Zoo Instructor is an ambassador and educator for the Phoenix Zoo. This position is responsible for the safety, well-being, and engagement of Camp Zoo children through facilitation of educational programs about the natural world. Camp Zoo instructors work independently, in small group settings, and as a larger team to implement classroom curriculum and behind-the-scenes experiences throughout Zoo grounds.
Camp Zoo Instructors must have availability to work:
- Daytime shifts during the Camp Zoo season (June – July)
- A week of in-person training prior to the start of camp
- Online training completed in the month before the in-person training
Essential Duties:
- Provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests by maintaining a WILD (friendly, helpful, positive and professional) working attitude and appearance.
- Create a physically and socially-emotionally safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment for children in kindergarten through 8th grade.
- Provide high quality group management and supervision, while using time management skills to follow the camp schedule.
- Effectively support inquiry-based and nature-based curriculum.
- Communicate effectively with campers and coworkers (small staff teams and across Zoo departments). Speak confidently and with clarity when communicating with camper parents/caregivers.
- Maintain a high-energy level and retain an enthusiastic approach to providing experiences for children.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. Management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).
Qualifications
- High School diploma or equivalent.
- Friendly, responsible, enthusiastic, and high-energy.
- Maintains a positive and respectful attitude with guests and teammates.
- Good listening skills and open to giving/receiving feedback to help the team grow.
- Can effectively and respectfully communicate with a diverse audience and teammates (including all age levels, cultures, neurodiversity, and level of abilities).
- Ability to work daytime shifts starting the last week of May – July.
- Excellent time management and guest service skills.
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
- Interest in learning, understanding, and communicating science and conservation concepts and messages to Zoo guests.
- Experience working with children in an educational setting (formal or informal) preferred.
- Experience working in a camp setting or zoo/aquarium setting preferred.
- Excellent public speaking and presentation skills preferred.
- Ability to evaluate an audience and tailor the program to provide information and entertainment at an appropriate level preferred.
- Existing knowledge about education, geology, ecology, conservation and/or biology preferred.
- Ability to perform all duties in an outdoor environment even during extremes of weather.
- Ability to lift up to 30 pounds; regularly bend, crouch, and kneel; stand and walk for extended periods of time; work in both indoor and outdoor environments in extreme weather conditions.
- Possession of valid driver’s license preferred.
- Ability to pass pre-employment background check, drug test, DMV check, and clear TB test.
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Camp Zoo Instructor Rubric |
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Excellent |
Acceptable |
Will Not Interview |
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Cover Letter |
Applicant submits a cover letter that introduces themselves and explains why their interests and passion match this role and the Phoenix Zoo’s mission. |
Applicant does not submit a cover letter. A cover letter is excellent and appreciated, but not required to be considered for this position. |
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Resume |
Applicant submits a resume that shows how their relevant experience matches the skills needed for the instructor role. Relevant experience can include work, volunteer and/or school experience working with children, adults, and/or in a camp setting. |
Applicant submits a resume or fills out the work history portion of the application that shows relevant experience. Relevant experience can include work, volunteer and/or school experience working with children, adults, and/or in a camp setting. |
Applicant does not submit any form of work history OR work history is not relevant and candidate does not explain how their skills would make them successful in this position. |
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References |
Applicant provides an email and phone number for a former direct supervisor who has already been informed that we may be contacting them. |
Applicant provides email and phone number for an individual from a professional setting (job, school, volunteer work) and explains why a direct supervisor is not available as a reference. |
Applicant does not provide adequate contact information for a reference, only gives information for personal references, or does not provide any references. |
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Skills and/or Experience |
Applicant describes skills and/or experience working with children and/or in a camp setting. Applicant can explain how those skills will make them successful in this role. |
Applicant lists skills and/or experience working with children and/or in a camp setting. OR Applicant can explain how their current skill set would be successful in this position. |
Applicant does not have any experience working with children, adults, or in a camp setting. Applicant does not explain how their current skill set would be successful in this position. |
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Opportunities for Improvement |
Applicant shows an understanding of their skill set and the needs of the position. Applicant’s response shows professional self-reflection and the Zoo’s core value of integrity. |
Applicant shows a basic understanding of their skill set and the needs of the position. Applicant’s answer focuses on task-related improvements rather than skills. |
Applicant does not show an understanding of the needs of this position and/or does not think this role will give them skill(s) to strengthen and develop. |
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Conservation |
Applicant explains why conservation is important to them personally and gives specific examples of how they incorporate it in their daily actions. Applicant’s values match the Phoenix Zoo’s conservation mission. |
Applicant gives specific examples of how they incorporate conservation in their daily actions. |
Applicant does not incorporate conservation into their daily actions and/or does not show an understanding of why conservation is important to the Phoenix Zoo. |
Salary : $19