Early Child Education Programs - Camp Programs Counselor; Seasonal

Early Child Education Programs - Camp Programs Counselor (Seasonal)

Chicago Zoological Society | Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, Illinois, United States of America

Join the PRIDE!

This position contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (BZC) by providing the highest level of quality customer service and extraordinary guest experiences with top-quality programming to participants to further BZC’s mission of inspiring conservation leadership.

This is a seasonal non-union hourly position, grade S009 with a pay rate of $19.85 per hour. Please see Benefits Summary section below the job description information.

2026 Summer Camp dates are:
June 8 - August
7. There is no camp the week of July 4th (June 29 - July
3). Camp staff training will take place the week of June 1. The typical scheduled hours for camp staff are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; until 5:00 p.m. for aftercare. Each staff member typically gets assigned one week of aftercare coverage. Further information about camp programs can be found here.

Primary job duties and responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Facilitate a variety of camp program topics and themes through techniques, including investigation, exploration and instruction.
• Partner with Camp Programs Inclusion Specialist to plan for accommodation of participants with special needs.
• Facilitate program/activity development, prototyping, and documentation.
• Supervise program participants throughout the park during all program activities and zoo tours, maintaining a minimum 1:5 staff to child ratio at all times.
• Assist program participants with all activities, games, and projects that relate to the designated program themes.
• Organize all daily supplies for activities including free play, arts and crafts, snack time, and games.
• Maintain open communication on a daily basis with parents and/or guardians of program participants regarding questions, concerns, discipline issues, daily activities, etc.
• Direct and/or delegate Seasonal Camp Programs Counselor Assistants to complete tasks as appropriate.

Other related duties as assigned.

Position requirements and specifications:

• High school diploma or educational equivalent (e.g., GED) required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age as required by the American Camp Association Guidelines.
• Two months or more paid and/or volunteer/unpaid experience working with groups of children and/or educating the public in a formal or informal educational setting, e.g., camp, park district, Special Recreation Association, day care, student teaching, school, or cultural institution, required.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills required.
• English fluency at a professional working proficiency.
• Must be an enthusiastic and flexible team player and able to work in a stimulating environment.
• Must have excellent customer service skills and ability to work with guests effectively.
• Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.

Desirable qualifications:

• One or more years of college or the equivalent of two years training and/or experience preferred, including coursework in education, biological sciences, communication, therapeutic recreation, or other directly related field or subjects, such as public speaking, interpretation, theater, recreation, environmental studies, children and families, or art and interpretation.
• Experience working in inclusive informal, educational, or recreational programs a plus.
• Experience in a zoo, aquarium, museum, nature center, or art studio environment a plus.
• Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.

Additional information:
This position description summarizes the primary duties and functions of this position, but should not be considered a complete listing of every duty the incumbent may ever be called upon to perform. Must represent Brookfield Zoo Chicago in an appropriate and professional manner to campers, families of enrolled campers and Zoo guests. Must have a genuine interest in nature and animals.

Must be willing and able to learn play…