Summer Camp Instructor

Description

Animal Friends is seeking applicants for upcoming part-time teaching opportunities, including effectively implementing half-day camp experiences offered throughout the summer.   

Summer Camp Instructors are responsible for implementing a meaningful and fun recreational and educational animal-themed experience for youth who have just completed Kindergarten through those about to embark on their last year of high school.  With a focus on experiential learning that spotlights rabbits, dogs, and cats, the goal of Animal Friends' Summer Camps and Mini Apprenticeships is to nurture the animal - young human bond and grow the next generation of animal advocates. 

Summer Camps strive to meet the above goals through the following humane lenses: 

The human perspective: campers will have opportunities to think critically about themselves (SEL, inclusion, and their own relationships with animals - including exploring ideas of consent, speciesism, and epistemology) to answer the question "Who am I?" 

The beyond-human perspective: campers will explore animal agency (voice and choice), ethology (behavior/instincts), social/family life and culture, physiology and more to answer the question, "Who are you?" 

The caregiver's perspective: campers will know, at developmentally appropriate levels, how to meet an animal companion's needs through exploring the Five Freedoms, including enrichment, nutrition, and hygiene to answer the question, "What do you need?" 

The animal professional's perspective: campers will experience all that Animal Friends offers to the community (veterinary care, spay/neuter services, TNVR assistance, legislative action and Humane Investigations, pet-retention, AFU, etc.) and to the shelter residents (The FLOW process, shelter life, behavior care, adoptions, etc.) to answer the question "Is an animal career for me?" 

The citizenship perspective: campers will connect to a "bigger big" as they explore issues (at developmentally appropriate levels) related to animal health/welfare/wellbeing, inclusivity, volunteering, One Health, and widening one's circle of compassion to answer the question, "How are we all connected?" 

This is a seasonal position offering between 15-40 hours per week for up to 4 weeks. Summer programs run four days a week (Tue. - Fri.) from June through August. This position requires a high level of energy, enthusiasm, creativity, flexibility, and the ability to work with groups of all ages, including campers, caregivers, volunteers, and staff, as well as dogs, cats, and rabbits. 

Essential Functions: 

• Working with the Humane Educator, Humane Education Liaison, and other staff members to plan and develop camp lesson plans and curriculum, including mandatory attendance at 1-2 Camp Staff meetings prior to camp season. 
• Communicating regularly with the Humane Education staff prior to and during camp season.  This includes checking email regularly (at least twice a week) and responding within three business days if applicable. 
• Preparing/gathering materials used in camps, including art materials, enrichment-toy-making materials, handouts, tools, etc. 
• Setting up and cleaning up the camp space daily, including dismantling tables, sweeping floors, clearing camp materials from counters, and appropriately storing supplies. 
• Overseeing the teen Camp Counselors and adult Assistants, including providing directives, feedback, and regularly communicating expectations and daily agendas.  
• Implementing engaging, developmentally appropriate, approved camp lessons and content, including hosting special guests, animal visitors, and Adoption Floor tours. 
• Establishing and maintaining a safe, inclusive, and fun camp environment at all times. 
• Organizing and facilitating a simple, "Show What You Know" presentation or happening for camper/apprentice families during the last 15 minutes of a camp week. 
• Maintaining a professional demeanor (including wearing the provided camp t-shirt daily) while serving as an Animal Friends ambassador to the public and to camp families while on site. 
• Using the Paylocity application to enter daily hours worked. 
• Providing written feedback on each camp taught, per Humane Educator's request. 
• Immediately communicating relevant camper-related issues with the Humane Educator or next available staff member and filling out required Incident Report forms as needed. 
• Fulfilling other camp-related duties as assigned. 

Requirements

Requirements:
Qualifications & Experience: 

• Experience delivering Humane Education, SEL, or animal-focused lessons to diverse groups of learners required 
• Strong classroom management skills required 
• Strong public-speaking and communications skills, with an emphasis on delivering clear, concise, and engaging content as well as building and maintaining parent/guardian relationships required 
• Ability to bend, lift 40 pounds, sit/kneel on the floor, and stand for extended periods of time required 
• Willingness to work around dogs, cats, and rabbits of varying temperaments, breeds, and medical status required  
• Current, active Animal Friends volunteer status preferred 
• Experience managing employees or volunteers preferred 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, flexibility, and ability to remain calm under pressure 
• Training in responsive teaching skills, SEL strategies, and culturally responsive pedagogy 
• Ability to welcome, support, and value individuals with similarities and differences that may vary from your own 
• Creativity, an appreciation for the arts/experiential learning, and a growth mindset 
• Required clearances and certifications: 
• Teaching certification or license 
• Valid Pennsylvania State Police, Child Abuse, and FBI clearances 
• Valid CPR/1st Aid certification (strongly preferred) 
• Current Mandated Reporter training completion (strongly preferred) 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the primary functions.