Zoo Camp Coordinator

SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Zoo Camp Coordinator is a full-time position that will primarily be responsible for coordinating Zoo Camp under the supervision of the Family Education Manager. During the school year the position will assist the Family Education Manager with the homeschool program, including teaching. The position will support the Education Department’s vision to create conservation leaders by creating partnerships for learning to inspire and empower community action for wildlife and wild places.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under the supervision of the Family Education Manager, coordinate and plan summer, spring break, fall break and adult day camps.
• This includes training and working closely with camp instructors and camp assistants to provide a safe, fun, and engaging camp experience.
• Hire and supervise Zoo Camp Instructors and Zoo Camp Assistants with the assistance of the Family Education Manager and Education Curator.
• Work with the Family Education Manager to develop and manage the Zoo Camp annual budget.
• Continually research and seek new ways of presenting content to keep programming effective, fresh and relevant.
• Assist the Family Education Manager with implementing and teaching multiple weekly homeschool programs, including registration, preparation, and clean-up.
• Communicate with parents about program schedules, student/camper needs, concerns and discipline.
• Supervise youth and adult volunteers that are assisting with homeschool and camp, creating a positive volunteer experience while meeting the needs of the program.
• Coordinate with program animal staff and other education staff to schedule animal use.
• Cross-train to teach all other Education Department programs as needed, including safely handling and interpreting ambassador animals in an immersive, engaging, knowledgeable and inspiring way.
• Maintain all equipment and facilities to keep them clean, safe and professional in appearance.
• Assist with general Education Department and zoo needs such as conducting programs for onsite and outreach school groups, answering phones, processing registrations, maintaining office supplies, cleaning, helping with zoo events, committees, promotions and other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Able to coordinate all aspects of a camp experience.
• Able to manage a classroom while maintaining a positive environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and able to work well with others in a team setting.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Current knowledge of and ability to use modern electronic technology.
• Knowledge and understanding of general science concepts, especially biological concepts.
• Comfortable interacting with children and adults of all ages.
• Comfortable speaking to large groups and diverse audiences.
• Able to supervise adults and youth while maintaining a positive environment.
• Familiarity with current conservation issues.
• Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision while managing multiple tasks at once.
• Flexible and able to handle unexpected situations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• College degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• Experience teaching children in a classroom, camp or professional informal learning setting.
• Able to research, understand and interpret science concepts in an engaging fashion.
• Able to safely handle a wide variety of animals including small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
• Able to use Microsoft Office programs effectively, especially Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.
• Must possess a valid TN driver’s license, insurance and meet Zoo Knoxville driving record requirements.
• Able to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, text, 2-way radio and e-mail.
• Able to safely negotiate stairs while carrying a loaded dolly.
• Don’t meet every requirement? At Zoo Knoxville we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.
• You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• As an employee of Zoo Knoxville, you must possess English communication skills as well as the ability to communicate using a 2-way radio, email and telephone. 
• The position hours vary depending on business needs and will require weekend and some holiday shifts.
• Depending on the specific tasks, this position will be required to work within close proximity of exotic and domestic animals and must be aware that there are dangers inherent in working under those conditions.
• This position will involve working both indoors and outdoors in hot, cold, wet and windy conditions. 
• Zoo Knoxville is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and as such each employee must pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen.