Interim Administrative ZooCamp Program Manager

About the Position

*This is a temporary position anticipated to last from February 1 - August 8*

Pay Range: To maintain internal equity, we have identified the starting range for this position at the Oakland Zoo as $35.00 per hour. An offer within this range will be determined by the experience and qualifications of a candidate and will be our best and final compensation offer.

ZooCamp is a day camp program for kids entering grades K-8, run by the Learning & Engagement (L&E) Department at the Oakland Zoo. The Interim Administrative Program Manager will work with the Interim Operational Manager for the overall planning, organization, and supervision of the camp program, prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of campers, Teen Assistants, Teen Interns, and camp instructors. The Administrative Program Manager reports directly to the Vice President of L&E. This is an interim position.

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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, teamwork, and scientific thinking. Through hands-on exploration, play, and community building campers will deepen their connections to themselves, each other, and our natural world.

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Dates:

2025 Spring Season:

Session 1: March 31 - April 4
Session 2: April 7 - 11

2025 Summer Season:

Mandatory Staff Training: May 21 - May 31
Session 1: June 2 - 6
Session 2: June 9 - 13
Session 3: June 16 - 20
Session 4: June 23 - 27
Session 5: July 7 - 11
Session 6: July 14 - 18
Session 7: July 21 - 25
Session 8: July 28 - Aug 2
Session 9: August 4 - 8

*No camp week of June 30 - July 4

Hours: M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm during off season, 9:00am -5:30pm during camp (extended care may require longer hours some days).

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Some notes:

ZooCamp is an active and high sensory environment. The Administrative Manager will spend a good amount of time standing, walking, and carrying camp supplies. The nature of camp is often loud, messy, and dynamic.
All camp staff may need to carry things from place to place, such as a backpack or wagon.
All camp staff are required to provide a recent (within the last 2 years) TB test or acquire one before the start of camp.

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Education

Department

Manager:

Temporary

Full-Time

$35 per hour

Application Deadline:

Application Deadline: December 10, 2024

Benefits

Oakland Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package, including Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Flexible spending account, Retirement plan, Paid time off, Employee Assistance Program, and a discounted Family Zoo Membership.

Apply

Essential Job Duties

Assist in the assignment of camp instructors to camp groups.
Assist in the recruitment, hiring, and training of camp instructors and volunteers.
Directly supervise lead camp instructors, instructors, inclusion specialist, and teen interns.
Delegate daily camp prep tasks to teen interns in accordance with their job duties.
Manage camp registrations through our web portal including processing cancellations, waitlist registrations, and payments.
Send weekly communications to families, including pre- and post-camp information.
Respond to inquiries and concerns in a timely and professional manner.
Coordinate with our healthy snack providers and camp merchandise vendors.
Submit revenue and expense reports to the Finance department.
Purchase camp supplies as needed and manage the expense budget.
Review financial aid applications and award funding to families, keeping detailed records to submit to the Development department.
Communicate with other Zoo departments regarding camp activities.
Communicate with other L&E Program Managers for program support as needed.
Ensure adherence to safety protocols and emergency procedures.
Address any issues or concerns that arise during camp, elevating any major issues to the People & Culture department.
Participate in and lead all-camp activities.
Communicate with campers’ adults via phone, email, and in-person as needed.
Help staff and campers solve conflict as needed. Adhere to ZooCamp’s behavior policy regarding camper dismissals.
Conduct post-camp evaluations to gather feedback from camp participants.
Other duties as assigned.

Who You Are

Minimum 2 years experience in a camp setting.
Experience working with youth in grades K-8.
Experience supervising a team and giving feedback.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
High emotional intelligence, patience, and compassion for others.
General openness towards people, experiences, and ideas.
Comfort being in front of a group.
Excellent problem-solving skills.
Highly organized, reliable, and flexible.
Willingness to add your voice and personality to the ZooCamp culture.
Physically able to navigate uneven terrain.

Bonus if you have:

Experience working with database management, especially camp management software.
Experience working with and supervising teenagers.
Nonviolent communication and conflict resolution training/experience.
Experience working in a zoo/nature center/museum.
Experience in outdoor/environmental education.
Knowledge of climate change science and climate-related issues.
Experience in project based learning, civic science, and community organizing.
Knowledge of animal welfare and conservation efforts.
Bachelor’s Degree or college credits in education, biology, or related field.

Required 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
Dependability – demonstrates trustworthiness and reliability, including while working with little or no direct supervision
Flexibility – nimbly adapts to evolving priorities and urgent needs; handles intervals of high pressure while maintaining perspective and humor
Inclusive Culture - fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued.
Organization – strong attention to details and able to build and/or maintain efficient systems
Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo’s mission and PRIDE values at all times
Presentation – able to convey ideas clearly and sensitively, highlight key takeaways and translate impact; have thoughtful presence, can quickly build rapport with others, and are comfortable in front of a variety of audiences
Sustainability – oriented toward the mission and values of Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department
Technological Aptitude – able to quickly understand, develop and maintain functional digital systems
Time Management – strong capabilities with a demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple commitments
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 take action for wildlife

Who We Are

The 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: Oakland Zoo deepens connection with animals, saves wildlife, and inspires champions for the natural world. 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, and 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. The 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.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The Conservation Society of California is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status or other characteristics protected by law. The Conservation Society of California also promotes respect for all people and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics.