Summer Camp Counselor (temporary)

Looking to make a difference in the lives of pets and people? With an almost year-round beautiful blue sky and a scenic mountain backdrop, HSPPR is a nonprofit animal shelter serving El Paso, Pueblo, and Douglas Counties as well as the City of Centennial in the colorful State of Colorado. We employ a total of 200+ employees. We are an organization that celebrates and prioritizes diversity and inclusion. HSPPR welcomes you to apply for the exciting position of Event Specialist at our Colorado Springs campus.

**THIS JOB POSTING WILL CLOSE ON APRIL 26, 2024**

Job Summary

The Summer Camp Counselor is responsible for implementing the Camp
Whiskers & Wags initiatives, nurturing a sense of compassion and respect for
living beings, and fostering humane attitudes toward animals; under the direction
of the Youth Education Manager and Summer Camp Supervisor, along with the
other camp counselors, assists to develop and implement summer camp
curriculum.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Administration of Camp Program

• Facilitate hands-on children's activities and animal interactions with groups of children at HSPPR summer camp.
• Prepare teaching materials and monitor camp supplies.
• Treat animals humanely, acting as a positive role model.
• Practice positive behavior management of children.
• Assist with administrative duties associated with the camp program, including schedules, attendance, parent communication, presentations, and check-in/-out.
• Work cooperatively with staff and presenters, assisting with logistics and behavior management of campers.
• Evaluate and modify camp materials and activities as needed.
• Monitor children at all times, reporting any concerns to Youth Education Manager and Summer Camp Supervisor.
• Complete injury documentation for accidents and injuries.

Relationships

• Cultivates and maintains relationships with Junior Camp Counselors as well as camp attendees and their families.

Safety

• Provide a safe, clean, and healthy environment for children and animals involved in the camp program.
• Promotes a safe work environment, actively monitors the safety compliance of staff and volunteers; takes immediate action to correct hazards.
• Properly reports, documents, and addresses animal behavior issues.

Public Relations

• Represents HSPPR in a professional light and promotes our mission and goals.

Communication

• Communicate effectively and professionally with campers, parents/guardians, co-workers, and the public at all times.
• Documents staff and volunteer complaints. Handles complaints and/or concerns from, or about, Camp staff or volunteers with professionalism and good judgment. Evaluates volunteer performance and addresses issues promptly. Involves Youth Education Manager as necessary.
• Communicates with and provides regular feedback and/or coaching to Camp volunteers in a professional and timely manner.

Customer Service

• Informs Youth Education Manager of developments that may affect HSPPR or the department including department progress, media exposure, public image, client concerns, and personnel issues.
• Supports staff and volunteers; provide quality services to clients, volunteers, and employees recognizing their individual contributions to the success of our organization.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Assists with maintenance and inventory of supplies and equipment for the camp program.
• Plans and organizes in anticipation of future needs.

Performance Management and Supervision

• Assist to train, work with, and supervise adult and teen volunteers in camp activities.

Other

• Commitment to the mission, values, goals and success of HSPPR.
• Appropriately documents observed animal behaviors utilizing objective language as required in relevant procedures and/or policies.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
  

Supervisory Duties

• None

Physical Demands

• The employee must regularly lift and/or move 25 or more pounds of moving weight and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 or more pounds of moving weight.
• Occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell.
• Regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, hear, and is frequently required to stand and walk. Will be expected to be on feet for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to use both hands and arms to grip, pull and push utilizing safety equipment such as, but not limited to catch poles, snappy snares, leashes, ropes, muzzles.
• Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Must handle various animals of various sizes, may include aggressive animals and potential exposure to zoonotic diseases.
• Regularly exposed to noise, outdoor elements, and potential exposure to hazardous weather conditions.
• Potential exposure to cleaning supplies and/or other substances containing toxic or caustic chemicals.

Schedule Requirements

This is a full-time, temporary position. Schedule will vary and will include weekend and holiday work.

Must be able to work the following dates:

Mandatory all day trainings on 5/18, 5/25, 5/29, 5/30, and 5/31

• June 3rd - 7th - Pet Pals
• June 10th - 14th - Furry Friends
• June 17th - 21st - Humane Helpers
• June 24th - June 28th - Shelter Super-Heroes
• July 1st - July 5th - Week off for July 4th
• July 8th - 12th - Pet Pals
• July 15th - 19th - Furry Friends
• July 22nd - 26th - Humane Helpers
• July 29th - Aug 2nd - Critter Careers
• August 5th and 6th (if needed) - Clean up days

Education/Experience Necessary

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum 3 months experience (460 hours) working with school-age children and can provide verification of experience.
• Knowledge of animal behavior and animal handling experience preferred.
• First aid/CPR training preferred.
• Knowledge of learning styles and age-appropriate behavior.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

NOTE: The job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or
comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.