Job Title: Assistant Supervisor of Camp Zoo & Family Programs
Department: Learning and Engagement
Supervisor: Camp Supervisor
Supervises: Camp Instructors
FLSA Status: Full time, Regular, Non-exempt
Pay: $26.13
You Should Apply If You...
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Love inspiring the next generation of leaders and stewards through experiences that foster curiosity, empower conservation action and cultivate a deeper connection to the natural world!
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Are passionate about building a positive team culture and modeling the Zoo’s Core Values.
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Embrace diverse perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles in both the programs you create and the team you support.
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Value regularly giving and receiving feedback as a tool for learning and growth.
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Are comfortable balancing an active, people-focused role with administrative and organizational responsibilities.
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Have strong organizational skills and can confidently manage short-term and long-term projects simultaneously without losing sight of priorities.
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Enjoy thinking about logistics, systems, and processes.
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Interested in contributing to the Zoo’s mission beyond your daily responsibilities, and willing to work occasional weekends, evenings, holidays, and special events to support program needs.
General Statement:
The Assistant Supervisor of Camp Programs is an ambassador and educator for the Phoenix Zoo.
This position partners with the Supervisor of Camp Zoo & Family Programs to oversee the daily operation of camps and other programming, including Summer Camp Zoo, Seasonal Camp Zoo, early childhood family experiences, and special ACNC/Zoo educational events. The Assistant Supervisor is instrumental in modeling, creating, and maintaining a team culture that demonstrates the ACNC/Zoo’s Core Values. This role supports exceptional guest experiences and programs through effective administrative processes, curriculum development, and program facilitation. Responsibilities also include coordinating schedules, training staff, and providing ongoing coaching and performance feedback. This role is primarily focused on administrative and office-based responsibilities and includes lots of opportunities for active engagement in programs as a coordinator and as a facilitator.
This position requires a flexible schedule that will primarily include:
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Weekday availability
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Semi-regular weekends (mostly Saturdays) to fit programming needs
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Occasional holidays or evenings
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Attendance at all mandatory meetings and training
Essential Duties:
1. Provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests by maintaining a WILD (friendly, helpful, positive and professional) working attitude and appearance.
2. Assist in supervising the day-to-day operations of Camp Programs such as Camp Zoo, Family Programs and special ACNC/Zoo and education events. Act as the main point of contact for Camp Zoo and Night Camp when the supervisor is not present.
3. Help create and maintain a team culture that reflects the ACNC/Zoo Core Values (accountability, collaboration, fun, initiative, and respect), serving as a role model and supporting others in developing and demonstrating these values.
4. Provide logistical and administrative support for a team of approximately 35 Instructors during Camp Zoo.
5. Facilitate camp programs as needed and be able to serve in any Instructor roles.
6. Communicate with caregivers and other internal or external camp contacts (phone calls and emails) in relation to program logistics.
7. Maintain accurate program records, protocols and training manuals.
8. Assist with hiring and the development and facilitation of training for camp staff and volunteers.
9. Assist in the planning and facilitation of staff meetings and training.
10. Design engaging, inquiry-based and age-appropriate curricula for camp groups from ages 5-15 and early childhood programs (ages 0-5).
11. Coordinate communication about program needs to other departments (Nutrition Services, Rangers, Events, Living Collections, Grounds Quality, Cruiser, Call Center, Marketing/PR, and Operations).
12. Assist with marketing strategies, which may include staffing promotional booths and special events.
13. Maintain Animal Handling Certification; responsible for knowing and abiding by proper handling, transportation, presentation, and interaction protocols for a diverse collection of animals in preparation for and during programs. After completing animal handling training, must be able to pass a written and practical test to certify. Must re-certify regularly to maintain animal handling certification.
14. Serve on the Learning and Engagement Leadership Team to help forward department strategic initiatives, ensure collaboration and consistency across the department and model for and mentor department staff.
15. As a secondary responsibility, support the Night Camp Supervisor with curriculum development, administration, logistics and staffing responsibilities as needed.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. Management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological
developments).
Qualifications:
1. High school diploma or equivalent required.
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Bachelor’s degree in science or education preferred.
2. Able to work effectively in both a team environment and independently.
3. Friendly, responsible, and enthusiastic. Maintains a positive and respectful attitude with guests and teammates.
4. Demonstrated leadership and guest service experience in a fast-paced environment.
5. Problem solving experience and the ability to make decisions and communicate in a calm, professional manner during a high-stress situation.
6. Ability to give and receive constructive feedback with a growth mindset and solution-oriented approach.
7. Excellent time management and project management skills. The ability to break down the steps needed to reach an expected goal and re-assess the plan as needed.
8. Experience using the following Microsoft Applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, Planner, Teams, and SharePoint.
9. Can effectively and respectfully communicate with a diverse audience and teammates (including all age levels, cultures, neurodiversity, and level of abilities).
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Experience working with children with special needs preferred.
10. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, organization skills, and detail-oriented work style.
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Bi-lingual English-Spanish preferred.
11. Experience presenting to a range of audience sizes and ages, including early childhood through adult.
12. Experience developing and writing engaging activities and presentations for a variety of ages.
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Experience in program development/design in a formal or non-formal setting preferred.
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Knowledge of child development and program specific academic, benchmarking, and/or best practices preferred.
13. Able to handle and work with a variety of animals in a safe manner that abides by established animal protocols.
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Experience working with animals within a professional setting preferred.
14. Available to work a flexible and varied schedule that includes weekdays, weekends, evenings, holidays, and special events.
15. Able to lift up to 30 pounds; regularly bend, crouch, and kneel; stand and walk for extended periods of time; work in both indoor and outdoor environments and in extreme weather conditions.
16. Possession of valid driver’s license.
17. Ability to pass pre-employment background check, drug test, DMV check, clear annual TB test, and obtain a Food Handler’s License within 1 month of hire.
