Camp Counselor

Palm Beach Zoo is committed to saving wildlife in wild places. Our mission is to help create connections between our guests and animals to inspire awe and action on behalf of wildlife. Every employee at Palm Beach Zoo contributes to our wildlife-saving mission. We work with local conservation partners in Florida as well as assist with international programs in Africa and Central America. Palm Beach Zoo is also proud to have our own coral conservation dive team. Our programs extend well beyond our lush, 23-acre property. We believe that anyone can be a wildlife hero.

The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society’s Wildlife Saving Heroes (WSH) Summer TEEN Zoo Camp is an engaging and immersive program designed to inspire teens (ages 11-17) to understand the role of modern Zoos as wildlife-saving conservation organizations and how camp participants can take action to save wildlife and wild places.

The position of Camp Counselor is an exciting opportunity for individuals who are passionate about inspiring the next generation of Wildlife Saving Heroes. As a Camp Counselor, you will play a vital role in managing daily camp operations, developing and implementing interactive conservation-based activities, and fostering a love for wildlife and nature for camp participants. Counselors will empower campers by providing hands-on experiences that connect them to wildlife and inspire them to engage in real-world conservation efforts. Counselors will also assist in leading campers in evaluation activities at the Zoo to help them develop critical thinking skills, guide them in informed decision-making, and support them as they navigate a world filled with information and diverse perspectives about wildlife and wild places.

This is a full time short term position - June–July 2025 Full-Time (40 hours per week for 5 weeks)

WSH Camp Counselor Responsibilities:

• Inspire campers to take action in saving wildlife through engaging activities both at the Zoo and at home and at school. We will also conduct wildlife-saving campaigns to inspire campers to be future campaign leaders at school and beyond.
• Guide teens in interactive animal experiences and hands-on conservation efforts.
• Serve as a mentor to campers, fostering teamwork, conservation leadership, and personal growth.
• Actively engage with parents/guardians during camper drop-off and pick-up, ensuring clear communication and a positive experience.
• Maintain and manage camp supplies, ensuring materials are organized and ready for use.
• Ensure a safe, clean, and efficient camp environment while following all Palm Beach Zoo policies and procedures.
• Assist in program evaluation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Education: Minimum one year of college level coursework in Environmental Science, Education, Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, or a related field—or equivalent experience.
• Work Experience: Prior experience working with youth in a camp, classroom, or educational setting. Leadership or managerial experience is strongly preferred.
• Skills & Abilities:
  • Passion for nature and teaching wildlife conservation.
  • Ability to adapt to changing plans and manage multiple priorities.
  • Strong communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.
  • Excellent punctuality and organizational abilities.
• Required Certification: Current First Aid/CPR Certification.
• Must pass a background and pre-employment drug screening

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in weather conditions typical of South Florida.
• Ability to use radio, telephone, and computer to communicate and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Must be willing and able to work outside of regular working hours for programs, special events and trainings.

The position will be open until filled. We will contact qualified candidates whom we have chosen to move forward in the interview process.

Palm Beach Zoo is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions, including those related to recruitment, hiring, training and promotion without regard to race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Diversity Equity and Access (IDEA) Commitment

Our Mission is to inspire people to act on behalf of wildlife and the natural world. We recognize that the only way to accomplish our mission is to include all people across all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, religions, mental/physical abilities, and sexual orientations. Just as we value biodiversity, we recognize and appreciate the value of human diversity as being integral to our ability to connect with our visitors and the communities we serve.