Paraprofessional, Zoo Camp

Pay: $25.
00-27.
00/hr depending on experience.
This is a seasonal position; there are no benefits or paid time off.
*Applications accepted until April 1 (rolling interviews will be conducted in the interim) Position Summary ZooCamp is a summer day camp program for kids entering grades K-8th Grade, run by the Learning & Engagement Department at the Oakland Zoo.
Camp runs 9:00 am - 3:30 pm M-F throughout the summer, with nine 1-week sessions following two weeks of mandatory training.
The ZooCamp Paraprofessional will assist neurodiverse campers with autism or other learning/behavioral differences either in a group setting or 1:1, as needed.
The ZooCamp Paraprofessional will work closely with the ZooCamp teachers to provide a safe and inclusive environment for campers of all abilities.
The ZooCamp Paraprofessional will report directly to the ZooCamp Director.
ZooCamp is an active and high sensory environment.
ZooCamp Staff should expect to spend the majority of their day outside in the sun and often in dirt/grass.
ZooCamp Staff should expect to spend much of their time standing, walking, and sometimes other types of physical movement (running, dancing, etc) when playing with campers.
ZooCamp Mission Statement: ZooCamp is a space where life is celebrated and nurtured.
We respect the diversity of life we find reflected in our people, our plants, and our animals.
Our goal at ZooCamp is to provide a physically and emotionally safe environment in which campers and staff alike develop and practice our skills of communication, compassion, and scientific thinking.
Through hands-on exploration, play, and community building campers will deepen their connections to themselves, each other, and our natural world.
Camp Dates: Mandatory Staff Training May 21-24 and May 28-31.
S1 (A): Monday-Friday, June 3-7 S2 (B): Monday-Friday, June 10-14 S3 (A): Monday-Friday, June 17-21 S4 (B): Monday-Friday, June 24-28 No camp week of July 4 S5 (A): Monday-Friday, July 8-12 S6 (B): Monday-Friday, July 15-19 S7 (A): Monday-Friday, July 22-26 S8 (B): Monday-Friday, July 29-August 2 S9 (A): Monday-Friday, August 5-9 Priority will be given to candidates who can work all summer.
Hours: M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm.
Essential Job Duties: Support neurodiverse campers with autism or other learning/behavioral differences either in a group setting or 1:1, as needed Communicate with ZooCamp parents/guardians about camper’s experience and needs at camp Provide guidance to ZooCamp staff on how to support campers within their group Take detailed behavioral notes and complete incident reports for campers Participate in all-camp activities like skits, song sessions, and games Help campers solve conflicts, provide guidance to campers, and manage behavioral expectations as needed Attend weekly all-staff meetings and 1:1 check ins with the Directors Work collaboratively with fellow camp staff, Zoo Learning & Engagement team, animal care, operations and administration staff Understand and maintain Zoo and ZooCamp health and safety standards Follow all Zoo safety protocol to ensure safety of people, animals, and equipment Who You Are: Experience working with students in grades K-8 in special education, or as a personal aid in a similar learning environment Completed state-issued credentials such as: Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education AND California Special Education Teaching Credential OR active Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification or similar Minimum 2 years experience working with students in special education Experience working in a collaborative team Excellent communication skills High emotional intelligence, patience and compassion for others General openness towards people, experiences, and ideas Excellent problem solving skills Must be 18+ years old Up-to-Date First Aid/CPR Certification All Zoo staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
ZooCamp Staff are required to be fully vaccinated (including at least 1 booster) 2 weeks before staff training begins on May 21.
ZooCamp Staff are required to provide a recent (within the last 2 years) TB test or acquire one before the start of camp.
Bonus if You Have: Nonviolent communication training/experience Interest and passion for wildlife conservation and informal science education Knowledge, Skills, and Qualities– May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position.
Communication – communicates respectfully and effectively with stakeholders across identities, both verbally and in writing Collaboration – builds trusting relationships with both internal and external stakeholders across our organization and community-wide and approaches differences of opinion with curiosity and humility.
Inclusive Culture - fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued.
Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and always models Oakland Zoo’s mission and PRIDE values.
Wildlife Aware - understands mission to support the conservation and welfare of animals at The Zoo, locally and globally.
This is demonstrated by a willingness/passion to reflect this mission in all actions and to continue to learn how to act for wildlife.
Sustainability – oriented toward the mission and values of the Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department.
Who We Are Oakland Zoo (managed by The Conservation Society of California) is an award-winning facility stretching 100 acres and overlooking the city of Oakland atop the hills of beautiful Knowland Park.
Our mission is to inspire respect for and stewardship of the natural world, while providing a quality visitor experience.
As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Zoo is part of the largest conservation organization in the nation.
Our employees take PRIDE in our values of being Positive, Respectful, Inquisitive, Driven and Effective members of a team who places the care of our animals, stewardship of the natural environment, and the experience of our guests at the forefront of all that we do.
Oakland Zoo’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access We believe that all people should have safe access to the Zoo and culturally relevant and responsive experiences with our staff, programs, and curriculum.
Oakland Zoo is also striving to create an equitable and inclusive internal culture where all staff members feel represented and valued for their identities and lived experiences.
We examine how power, bias, race, and other aspects of identity impact our organization.
We work to build a culture of continuous learning and improvement toward a vision of equity and belonging for all staff.
We are looking for team members who can actively join us in this process.
We are committed to reflecting the diverse community in which we exist and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ identifying folks, and women to apply.