Seasonal Camp Assistant

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year.

Position Description

The Seasonal Camp Assistant is a seasonal, full-time position within the Learning Department at Lincoln Park Zoo. This position reports to the Camp Programs Coordinator and is primarily responsible for supervising the Camp Teen Volunteer Program and Counselor-in-Training program, organizing and inventorying camp program supplies, revising, creating and maintaining camp program curricula with the Camp Coordinator, and helping with the general flow and running of camp. With the Camp Programs Coordinator, the Seasonal Camp Assistant will help to train and support Camp Counselors, Counselors-in-Training, and Camp Teen Volunteers, as well as to maintain and/or modify existing camp programs, and collaborate with Teen Coordinator. This position begins on April 1, 2026 and will end August 19, 2026. 

Required Qualifications and Expectations

The Seasonal Camp Assistant should be resilient, creative, fun, nurturing, hard-working, compassionate, take initiative, and display a positive attitude. The Seasonal Camp Assistant is required to work some weekends and occasional evenings. 

·       Possess a bachelor’s degree in education, biology, zoology, environmental science or similar by May 2026, or have equivalent experience.

·       Possess First Aid and CPR/AED Certification or be willing to certify through the zoo

·       Has completed at least one summer as a Lincoln Park Zoo Camp Counselor or has previous summer camp experience elsewhere

·       Knowledge of informal education principles and best practices

• Proven ability to deliver a wide variety of programs for grade school and teen audiences


• Exhibits a passion for conservation education


• Has excellent oral and written communication skills


• Be courteous and respectful with team members, volunteers, zoo visitors and general public


• Is comfortable working with children and teens from culturally and linguistically diverse groups, as well as learners of varying abilities


• Has practical knowledge or experience in teen leadership, development and motivation


• Displays integrity, patience, adaptability, flexibility, a sense of humor, enthusiasm and a commitment to serve youth


• Is responsible, detail-oriented and hard-working


• Capable of being stationary for long periods of time and working in a variety of weather conditions, including outdoors in the summer


• Capable of traversing throughout the zoo up to 5 miles a day


• Able to lift and carry program supplies weighing up to 50 pounds


• 
  Able to pass a background check
  

Position Responsibilities

• Revise and/or create program curricula and activities


• 
  Utilize best practices in both formal and informal education to provide meaningful and memorable learning experiences that are suited to diverse groups of participants
  


• Supervise Camp Teen Volunteer program and its participants (training, evaluations, professional development, bonding nights, service hour logs, etc.)


• Professionally deliver accurate and developmentally appropriate information concerning the zoo’s animal collection, research, and conservation messages


• Act as point person to counselors for curriculum needs


• Maintain organization and inventory of program supplies


• Maintain supplies checkout system


• Attend and/or lead (in the absence of the Camp Coordinator) morning team meetings


• Substitute as a Camp Counselor as needed


• Perform various tasks and other duties as assigned

Absences

The Seasonal Camp Assistant must be available for the majority of the days of the contract (April -August 19) and all the days of camp staff training (May 29-30 and June 1-4) as well as Camp Teen Volunteer Training on April 19 and May 3, 9, and 24. They must be able to attend a 6-hour CPR/First Aid and AED weekend training (dates TBA). If the employee is unable to attend CPR/First Aid and AED training at the zoo, they are responsible for becoming certified on their own and at their own expense prior to May 28, 2026. Planned absences that are not during training, and that have been discussed with a supervisor, are possible. However, long absences (such as a week-long family vacation) may disqualify a candidate from the position. This position will have planned time off from July 1-3.

Experience Gained

• Leadership Skills


• Opportunity for networking with Zoo Professionals


• Teen Program Management

-Hiring

-Scheduling

-Training

-Delivering Feedback

• Curricula Writing/Revising

OUR PROMISE

Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, values, and experiences of all people.  For Wildlife. For All.

LINCOLN PARK ZOO BENEFITS

In addition to such standard benefits ( Blue Cross Blue Shield)  as medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverages, and a 403(b) savings plan with an institutional match, benefits of working at the zoo include (benefits are for regular full time employees):

• Free admission to many other Chicago cultural institutions


• Free on-site parking anytime with access to Lincoln Park, Lakeshore Trail, and North Avenue Beach


• Discounts on event tickets (free admission to select events), attractions, dining, and retail at the zoo


• Quarterly staff mingle events and “LPZooU” training and educational sessions about the zoo, wildlife, ecology, and related subjects


• Company contribution to Health Savings Account (Medical PPO only)


• A working environment with green spaces and regularly available visits with wildlife!

HOURLY WAGE: $21.60