What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Engagement Assistant Coordinator, Queens Zoo position at Wildlife Conservation Society?
Job Description
Job Title: Youth Engagement Assistant Coordinator
Reports To: Coordinator of Volunteers and Visitor Engagement
Location: Queens Zoo
Job Type: Part-Time
Department: Education
Schedule: Wednesday - Sunday through at least November 2025.
Nov-March: Approx 24 hours per week - some flexibility in terms of scheduling but candidate must be available on Thursdays until 7:30 PM
April-October: Approx 35 hours per week (Wednesday - Sunday)
Pay Rate: $23 per hour
Who We Are
The WCS Education Department works across our five wildlife parks: Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium. Our mission is to inspire a diverse and inclusive movement of conservation advocates by sparking connection with animals and nature, enhancing scientific literacy through hands-on investigation, and engaging constituents in stewardship and action to conserve wildlife and wild places.
WCS is proud to be an equal opportunity employment workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work and learning environment and look for future team members who share that same value.
The Opportunity
You will work for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) as a valued team member of the Education Division. You will recruit, train, and oversee youth ages 14-24, serving in our volunteer Discovery Guide program and Discovery Guide Leader Intern positions at the Queens Zoo. You will also recruit, train, and oversee high school students, serving in our Youth Environmental Advocate Intern positions at the Queens Zoo. You will develop these youth by helping them to learn and acquire job skills, to explore career opportunities, and to share the mission of the Wildlife Conservation Society with zoo visitors and an online audience. You will build a more diverse, inclusive community of youth who value wildlife and wild places, are scientifically literate, and are mobilized for conservation change. You will gain valuable management and coordination experience in the field of informal science education, interpretation, and youth development.
You are adaptable, organized, and enjoy working and mentoring youth. You are able to tactfully and effectively handle a wide variety of situations including, but not limited to, program coordination, implementation, deadlines and customer service challenges. You are a confident problem-solver who thrives working in both a team environment and independently. You are outgoing, and are willing to interpret science concepts in both a classroom setting, as well as with the public at zoo exhibits.
Under the direction of the Coordinator of Volunteers and Visitor Engagement you will:
WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities.
Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work.
Salary Range
$23.00
Job Title: Youth Engagement Assistant Coordinator
Reports To: Coordinator of Volunteers and Visitor Engagement
Location: Queens Zoo
Job Type: Part-Time
Department: Education
Schedule: Wednesday - Sunday through at least November 2025.
Nov-March: Approx 24 hours per week - some flexibility in terms of scheduling but candidate must be available on Thursdays until 7:30 PM
April-October: Approx 35 hours per week (Wednesday - Sunday)
Pay Rate: $23 per hour
Who We Are
The WCS Education Department works across our five wildlife parks: Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium. Our mission is to inspire a diverse and inclusive movement of conservation advocates by sparking connection with animals and nature, enhancing scientific literacy through hands-on investigation, and engaging constituents in stewardship and action to conserve wildlife and wild places.
WCS is proud to be an equal opportunity employment workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work and learning environment and look for future team members who share that same value.
The Opportunity
You will work for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) as a valued team member of the Education Division. You will recruit, train, and oversee youth ages 14-24, serving in our volunteer Discovery Guide program and Discovery Guide Leader Intern positions at the Queens Zoo. You will also recruit, train, and oversee high school students, serving in our Youth Environmental Advocate Intern positions at the Queens Zoo. You will develop these youth by helping them to learn and acquire job skills, to explore career opportunities, and to share the mission of the Wildlife Conservation Society with zoo visitors and an online audience. You will build a more diverse, inclusive community of youth who value wildlife and wild places, are scientifically literate, and are mobilized for conservation change. You will gain valuable management and coordination experience in the field of informal science education, interpretation, and youth development.
You are adaptable, organized, and enjoy working and mentoring youth. You are able to tactfully and effectively handle a wide variety of situations including, but not limited to, program coordination, implementation, deadlines and customer service challenges. You are a confident problem-solver who thrives working in both a team environment and independently. You are outgoing, and are willing to interpret science concepts in both a classroom setting, as well as with the public at zoo exhibits.
Under the direction of the Coordinator of Volunteers and Visitor Engagement you will:
- Recruit, select, and train primarily high school aged youth for the zoo’s volunteer Discovery Guide program, Discovery Guide Leader internship and Youth Environmental Advocate internship.
- Play a key role in the day-to-day oversight and support of youth including leading meetings, providing supervision, and giving feedback for up to 150 youth annually.
- Create a warm, welcoming, and fun environment as well as serve as a mentor and respected advisor to youth.
- Support in the design, creation, development, and execution of an interactive and engaging educational experience for youth including creating and delivering ongoing training and workshops for youth volunteers and interns.
- Create and maintain weekly schedules and track requirements and metrics such as training status, attendance, and performance.
- Participate in our community of practice with fellow Youth Engagement Assistant Coordinators, Youth Development, and Live interpretation teams to share best practices and network across all 5 parks (supporting more than 500 youth).
- Work with the WCS Youth Development team to play a role in supporting the WCS Youth JIVE (Job, Internship, & Volunteering Expo) and other recruitment and hiring events.
- Currently in pursuit of a bachelor's degree or equivalent in Education, Youth Development, Animal Science, Environmental Science, Biology, or similar.
- One-year experience working with, or mentoring youth, ages 14-24.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to facilitate training for large groups of youth.
- Ability to work within a highly team-oriented environment.
- Reliable, flexible and accountable.
- Weekend availability is required.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Education, Youth Development, Animal Science, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, etc.
- Demonstrated experience working with, coaching, or mentoring youth, ages 14-24.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
- We value team members and community partners from all backgrounds and cultures with different skills, abilities, and perspectives.
- We ensure that everyone has an opportunity to fully contribute to our mission.
- Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. and to perform light physical activity.
- Ability to work outside during various weather conditions.
- This position requires a Wednesday-Sunday schedule for most of the year; candidates must be available to work both Saturdays and Sundays.
- We value creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and building a culture where everyone is welcomed and can flourish.
- As part time staff, you will receive access to all WCS parks (Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo).
WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities.
Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work.
Salary Range
$23.00
Salary : $23
