Camp Guide

Camp Guide (Seasonal)

Description: The Houston Zoo Conservation Education department is seeking energetic and nature-loving individuals for our 2025 summer camp season. This position offers hands-on experience for professionals looking to spend their summer outdoors working with children in an informal, educational environment. We spend most of our time exploring animal exhibits, storytelling, and playing in natural green spaces around the Zoo. If you are a self-starter, love to be silly, and thrive in a high-energy space -this is the summer job for you!

Camp Zoofari allows children ages 6-12 to explore the Zoo in-depth. Each week, campers learn about animals and the role of zoos and communities in helping to save them. They also connect with other like-minded campers and build new friendships. Camp Guides are responsible for fostering curiosity and creating memorable experiences through games, songs, stories, crafts, exhibit interpretation, and age-appropriate learning projects. They will also partner with full-time Zoo staff for special live animal presentations and back-of-house opportunities. Camper comfort and safety are a top priority, and a substantial portion of a Guide's day-to-day is group management. We strive to create a camp experience for all that encompasses the needs and interests of each child attending Camp Zoofari.

Our Mission: Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.

Our Vision: Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.

As a Camp Guide, you will:

• Ensures that the health and safety of all campers in the assigned group is maintained throughout the day.
• Learn and disseminate information about the zoo's animals
• Collaborate with Camp Guide peers, maintaining a respectful and inclusive workspace.
• Facilitate age-appropriate hands-on activities, games, and crafts that are directly connected to the theme of the assigned camp for the day or week.
• Independently supervise, guide, and teach children ages 6-12 on a rotating schedule.
• Interact with caregivers, Zoo visitors, and other staff in a professional manner.
• Mentor teen Zoo Crew program participants using constructive feedback and co-teaching methods.
• Serve as a role model and leader for our campers, ensuring they have a safe and fun camp environment each day.
• Engage campers through educational, animal-focused storytelling.
• Support the Zoo's mission and conservation initiatives by sharing and modeling environmentally conscious behaviors.

This position includes:

• Interacting on a child's level, chairs and tables are available.
• Maneuvering on uneven terrain.
• Spending up to two hours at a time outdoors.
• Navigating zoo-grounds, which have varying light, noise, and temperature levels.

Experience Required:

An ideal candidate will be working towards or holding a degree in a science, education, or related field and have a demonstrated affinity and skill for working with children either in a formal or informal setting. Candidates should have clear writing and communication skills, a positive attitude, and enjoy time spent in nature. Selected candidates must pass a background check and drug screening, provide documentation to work in the United States, and be able to attend all required training and scheduled shifts.

Commitment:

• Attend mandatory training days:
  • June 1-5
• Work four weeks of summer camp, scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:15 am -4:30 pm.
  • Week 1: June 1-5 (Staff Training)
  • Week 2: June 8-12
  • Week 3: June 15-19
  • Week 4: June 22-26
  • Week 5: June 29-July 5 (Ultimate Zoofari*)
  • Week 6: July 6-10
  • Week 7: July 13-17
  • Week 8: July 20-24
  • Week 9: July 27-31
  • August 3-7

*Ultimate Zoofari will be staffed by two returning camp guides and will not be a part of the required time commitment.

• Additional shifts beyond the four-week requirement may be available in single-day shifts or a whole week.
• Work at least 2 days of Fall or Winter Camp Zoofari programs during HISD school breaks.

Compensation: $16.50-$17.50 per hour, depending on experience

We encourage applications from candidates who may not traditionally see themselves represented in the zoo or aquarium career fields and welcome applicants whose degrees may be outside of the traditional education tracks.

If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know by contacting Camp@Houstonzoo.org. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).

Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as a complete inventory of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.

Benefits
Full-time, regular positions are offered the following benefits.

• Medical and Prescription Drug
• Vision
• Dental
• Basic Life AD&D (100% Employer Paid)
• Short Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
• Long Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
• Supplemental Life
• Flexible Spending Account / Health Savings Account
• 401k, with employer match

Full-time and Part-Time, regular positions are offered the following additional benefits.

• Free Zoo Membership
• Free Guest Passes
• Discounts on Food, Merchandise, Attractions, Admission and Programs
• Free parking

Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.