Summer Camp Educator Guide - Part Time Seasonal

Summer Camp Educator Guide - Part Time Seasonal - San Diego Zoo Job Description

Posted Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM | Expires Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 10:59 AM

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action.

The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION
The Educator Guide supports San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's (SDZWA) mission and vision of saving species worldwide. The Educator Guide leads a variety of programs for diverse audiences, which may include visitors and school groups both on and off Zoo/Park grounds. The Educator Guide adapts presentations using messaging consistent with trends in education and conservation to increase guests' engagement, awareness, and interest in SDZWA wildlife and conservation projects and may be required to operate a vehicle while narrating to guests.

This position reports to the department Supervisor.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Conducts various programs for diverse audiences, including park visitors and school/youth groups on and off Zoo/Park grounds, adapting presentations using best practices in education and conservation to meet program objectives and increase guests' motivation to take conservation action. Safe operation of various vehicles while narrating to guests and use of technology, including audio-visual equipment during programs, is required.
• Participates in monitoring and evaluation of programs by implementing essential program components and measurement tools, collecting data, and providing feedback for program refinement. Contributes to a culture of feedback by providing and receiving constructive feedback to support performance improvement.
• Provides constructive input and support to program developers in creating and refining content.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The San Diego Zoo is seeking enthusiastic team members who will co-lead a camp group to create a fun, welcoming and safe environment for all. You will collaborate with your camp team to provide engaging, hands-on experiences for campers entering grades K-9th, spending a majority of the camp day outdoors. You will facilitate camp activities, art projects, games and explorations inspired by wildlife and wild places, in and around the Zoo.

You will create a continuous feedback loop for improvement alongside your camp team, mentor Program Aides, as well as communicate effectively with the Camp Leadership Team and caregivers, ensuring a high quality for the team, campers and their families. This position requires participation in one training session in early-May and availability to work the full length of team training and camp from June 1 – August 10, Monday through Friday.

• Two or more years of non-formal education experience working with school-aged kids in a role such as camp counselor, schoolteacher, student mentor, or non-formal educator (e.g., zoo, aquarium, museum, nature center) required.

• Must have completed at least two years of college-level courses related to education, biology, zoology.
• Must be at least 18 years of age or older.
• Teaching credential preferred.

• Working knowledge of principles and practices of biology or zoology, including wildlife behavior.
• General knowledge of current teaching methods and practices and learning theory.
• Ability to teach and motivate all ages on a variety of…