Year-Round Employment Opportunities
Assists Zoo Camp Director in managing all Zoo Camp programs to include promotion, budgeting, registration, program development, staff hiring and training, implementation, evaluation and ensuring compliance/licensing with Onondaga County Health Department. This includes one day Holiday camps throughout the year as well as the holiday, spring, and winter weeklong camps, and Kids’ Night Out programming. This position will also help with curriculum creation for Zoo School classes and fill in as an instructor for any class as necessary. Will require animal handling training. Must be able to work a flexible schedule during the week as needed. Must be available the entire 10 weeks of Summer camp the hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on a rotating schedule with the Zoo Camp Director. Employment pending criminal and driver history records. Promotes the Zoo and its mission.
Essential Job Functions:
- Prepares curriculum for camps with approval from Director
- In the absence of the Director serves in their place
- Assists with daily schedules
- Supervises behind the scenes opportunities
- Handles camper paperwork and follow-up with parents to remind them of what is due
- Facilitates all daily operations of Zoo camp, i.e. check ratios, oversee check in/outs, play care, help with supervision on the trails and fill in for activities as needed
- Works directly with the zoo camp health director to ensure medical safety of children
- Serves as back up counselor in the event of an emergency
- Works with Zoo Camp Director with evaluation of Camp Instructors’ performance
- Assists Zoo Camp Director with scheduling Zoo Camp Instructors
- Assists Zoo Camp Director with training of new Camp Instructors prior to the start of Zoo Camp
- Performs other duties as requested
Desired Training and Experience:
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree in education, zoology, biology, environmental science or related field
- A minimum four years zoo camp counselor experience
- Experience with Special Education preferred
- Previous supervisory experience a plus
Skills / Knowledge Required:
- Red Cross certification in CPR and First Aid
- Proficient with computer programs, including Microsoft Office and PowerPoint
- Ability to be self-directed, flexible, work as a team player
- Excellent public speaking, organizational and record keeping and team building skills necessary
- May be asked to use own vehicle to pick up supplies. Must have a valid NYS Driver’s License, reliable transportation, and a registered and insured vehicle. Mileage is reimbursed
- NYS DMV Clearance
To Apply: Please submit cover letter and resume via email to [email protected]. No phone calls, please.
Responsible for overseeing the ZooGuide program, other interpretation volunteers, and the youth group. Serves as educator; carrying a schedule of classes throughout the year for education programing for all ages. Serves as ZooGuide Coordinator seasonally; Travels throughout Central New York; Regular, full time non- exempt position; Employment pending criminal and driver history records; Promotes the zoo and its mission.
Essential Job Functions:
- Serves a curriculum developer for technology related programming (STEM)
- Serves as the lead educator for tabling events in the community
- Serves as regular program instructor for all education programming
- Serves as ZooGuide Manager seasonally, including recruitment, training and supervising up to two coordinators
- Facilitates youth group meetings
- Serves as a mentor for summer CIT (Counselors in Training) program
- Performs outreach animal care and husbandry as needed – minimum of 8 hours per week
- Adheres to Zoo policies and protocols
Additional Responsibilities:
- Attends regular staff meetings, including Education Staff, All-Staff and Friends of the Zoo meetings
- Runs ZooGuide staff meetings with ZooGuide Coordinators and the ZooGuides themselves
- Required to work Sunday through Thursday; evenings and other weekend days as needed
- Required to work and drive in a variety of weather conditions
- Performs other duties as requested
Desired Training and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in education, zoology, biology, environmental science or a related field
- Minimum of two years’ experience working in an educational capacity in a school, zoo, aquarium, nature center or similar organization
- Minimum of two years’ management experience
- Previous experience with caring for and handling a variety of domestic and exotic animals
- Knowledge of NYS Learning Standards and the Common Core Learning Standards
- Red Cross certification in CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Responding to Emergencies
Skills / Knowledge Required:
- Ability to demonstrate and communicate scientific and conservation messages in a lively, engaging manner to diverse audiences
- Ability to handle, care for and train a variety of domestic and exotic animals
- Excellent public speaking, organizational, record keeping skills and writing skills
- Ability to be self-directed, flexible, work as a team player, achieve established goals and maintain accurate records
- Proficient with computer programs, including Microsoft Office and Google Suite
- Proficiency with zoom, webx and teams and streaming programs such as OBS
- Capable of lifting 50 pounds and handling animal carriers
- Must have a valid NYS Driver’s License, reliable transportation and a registered and insured vehicle. Must be able to use personal vehicle for work purposes. NYS DMV Clear
To Apply: Please submit cover letter and resume via email to [email protected]. No phone calls, please.
Creates and delivers interactive educational programs, on and off-site, as well as virtually, using live animals and animal biofacts. Travels throughout Central New York; Regular, full time non-exempt position; Employment pending criminal and driver history records; Promotes the zoo and its mission.
Essential Job Functions:
- Will be assigned primary responsibilities (registration, program development, delivery and evaluation) for designated programs, and will be cross trained to assist with delivery for other programs as needed.
- Works with Education Program Manager to achieve established program goals, including program impact and revenue
- Trains teammates to deliver assigned programs when needed, providing program plans and materials
- Works with community partners and clients to ensure success of programming
- Continually trains with education animals
- Adheres to Zoo policies and protocols
- Performs outreach Animal Care and Husbandry as needed. Minimum of 8 hours in area per week.
- Uses volunteer management software to secure volunteers for programs
Additional Responsibilities:
- Attends regular staff meetings, including Education Staff, Education Animal Training, All-Staff, individual meetings with Education Program Manager and Friends of the Zoo meetings
- Required to work Tuesday through Saturday; evenings and other weekend days as needed
- Required to work and drive in a variety of weather conditions
- May be required to drive personal vehicle to programs when zoo vehicle is not available (mileage reimbursement provided)
- Performs other duties as requested
Desired Training and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in education, zoology, biology, environmental science or a related field.
- A minimum of one year’s experience working in an educational capacity in a school, zoo, aquarium, nature center or similar organization.
- Previous experience with caring for and handling a variety of domestic and exotic animals
- Knowledge of NYS Learning Standards and the Common Core Learning Standards
- Red Cross certification in CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Responding to Emergencies
- Proficiency with zoom, webx and teams and streaming programs such as OBS
Skills / Knowledge Required:
- Ability to demonstrate and communicate scientific and conservation messages in a lively, engaging manner to diverse audiences both in person and virtually
- Ability to handle, care for and train a variety of domestic and exotic animals
- Excellent public speaking, organizational, record keeping and writing skills
- Ability to be self-directed, flexible, work as a team player, achieve established goals and maintain accurate records
- Proficient with computer programs, including Microsoft Office and Google Suite
- Capable of lifting 50 pounds and handling animal carriers
- Must have a valid NYS Driver’s License, reliable transportation and a registered and insured vehicle. Must be able to use personal vehicle for work purposes. NYS DMV Clearance.
To Apply: Please submit cover letter and resume via email to [email protected]. No phone calls, please.
