Seasonal Educator – Summer Camp

Reports to: Curator of Education

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE:

The National Aviary’s Seasonal Educator – Summer Camp is part of a dynamic and energetic Education Department performing all job assignments with a positive attitude that reflects the National Aviary’s mission to inspire a respect for nature through an appreciation of birds. The Seasonal Educator – Summer Camp will work alongside regular full-time National Aviary staff, interns, and volunteers to provide a safe, fun, engaging, and inclusive summer camp experience for children ages 2-12, teens, and adults. During summer camp, the Seasonal Educator will teach science content in National Aviary classroom spaces, habitat areas, and outdoors and will support a positive and fun learning environment for all campers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Responsible for the day-to-day set up, delivery, and clean-up of Aviary summer camp activities for the duration of the season.

·         Works with the summer camp team to assess the success of summer camp activities and provides feedback for adjustment as needed.

·         Prior to camp starting, works with the team to develop lesson plans for camp activities.

·         Facilitates indoor and outdoor camp activities including science experiments, art projects, games, and explorations of the National Aviary and surrounding park area.

·         Monitors the well-being and social interaction of campers, working closely with the Program Specialist and Education Curator to quickly address issues in a manner that is fair, caring, and respectful of the needs of all campers.

·         Ensures that National Aviary Summer Camp policies, SOPs, and camper behavior expectations are followed.

·         Communicates with camper caregivers, providing excellent customer service.

·         Prepares and organizes materials for camp programs .

·         Participates in training before the start of camp and throughout the summer.

·         Serves as a member of the Education team through regular communication and collaboration, supporting other team members and attending meetings as needed.

·          Other responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

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

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for their job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         This position has no staff supervisory responsibilities but may be asked to oversee interns and volunteers as needed.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

·         Dedicated to providing campers with an unforgettable experience

·         Strong ability to interact with children and caregivers in a positive, fun, and engaging manner

·         Strong teaching, interpretation and presentation skills

·         Creative problem solver

Ability to interact with campers, caregivers, visitors, and colleagues in a highly professional, respectful and responsive manner
·         Understanding of relevant content, such as biology, environmental science and education or wildlife conservation

·         Ability to work well in a fast-paced, team oriented environment

·         Comfortable working around live animals and outdoors

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

·         High School diploma or equivalency required

·         Undergraduate degree or coursework in Education, Environmental Education, Life Sciences, or related fields preferred

·         Professional experience working with children in an educational or caregiving setting, prior experience with camp is preferred

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

·         Fully vaccinated against COVID-19

·         18 years of age or older

·         Satisfactory Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse History Certification

·         Satisfactory FBI Criminal Record Check

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position requires an ability to lead groups of campers throughout National Aviary habitats, often maneuvering through crowds. An ability to lift and carry camp materials and move classroom furniture is necessary. Camp takes place inside National Aviary classrooms and habitats, as well as outdoors and an ability to spend time outdoors in summer temperatures is necessary.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work environments will include climate-controlled office spaces, public areas where the noise level may be loud, and outdoors where work may need to be done in inclement weather conditions, including extremes of temperature and precipitation. The employee is regularly exposed to various disinfecting agents and common allergens such as latex, nuts, and seafood.

POSITION TYPE/ EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

This is a full-time seasonal position.  The candidate must be able to work Monday-Friday for the duration of the camp season (June 3 – August 12, 2025)

Interested Candidates should send their resume, cover letter and application to Katie Manion, Katie.Manion@aviary.org

Please note: the application is downloadable on our website