Camp Inclusion Specialist - Lincoln Park Zoological Society

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year.

GENERAL SUMMARY

Reporting to the Camps Program Coordinator, the Camp Inclusion Specialist will play an important role in the leadership of the zoo’s summer camp, ensuring inclusion of all individuals that participate in camp programs. With the Camp Programs Coordinator, the Camp Inclusion Specialist will help train and support Camp Instructors on inclusion practices and modify existing camp programs to ensure quality participation by all. The Camp Inclusion Specialist will be working Monday-Friday with campers in preK-Grade 8 during the camp season. This position begins in May of 2024 and will end August 23, 2024.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Ensure inclusion of all camp participants, emphasizing both individual abilities and common ground with peers.
• Support campers who have a disability, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, anxiety disorder, are Deaf, or have a chronic illness as they participate in camp. However, the Inclusion Specialist is not intended to be a 1:1 aide for campers.
• Provide sensory breaks for campers so that they can return to their camp group ready to participate in camp activities.
• Review curriculum for proven accessibility practice/universal design. Adapt activities, rules, equipment and/or supplies as needed to ensure quality participation by all camp participants.
• Communicate with parents prior to and during camp to gather information about the camper’s needs and provide follow up on camper successes and challenges.
• Facilitate training of Camp Counselors on inclusion practices.
• Regularly observe Camp Counselors as they engage campers and provide coaching/feedback.
• Supervise camp participants as needed during activities and while moving around the zoo. 
• Meet with Camp Counselors when needed as a support and resource for inclusion procedures and best practices.
• Provide suggestions and adaptations to camp staff that will assure individuals with disabilities are integrated and able to fully participate in camp programs.
• Document camper behaviors as needed and create reports for parents who have requested them about their camper’s successes and challenges at the end of their camp week.
• Create a summary report at the end of the summer camp season that reviews specific inclusion situations which occurred throughout the season, the response/steps/actions taken or not by camp staff relative to the situations, and strategies/best practices for how to improve in the future.
• Perform various tasks and other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Must be knowledgeable about behavior management strategies and best practices for creating an inclusive learning environment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills
• Must be a flexible and creative team player in order to accommodate changing camp and camper needs
• Experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
• Must have excellent customer service skills and experience working with guests effectively
• Experience with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Associate’s degree in social services, paraprofessional or similar field, or entering junior year of college, or equivalent combination of training and experience preferred, including coursework in special education, therapeutic recreation, or behavioral analyst.

 PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• One year of direct experience working with individuals having a variety of physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities
• Minimum three months working with children in an educational setting, e.g., camp, day care, student teaching, school, park district, Special Recreation Association, or cultural institution

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Capable of remaining stationary for long periods of time and working in a variety of weather conditions.
• Capable of traversing throughout the zoo up to 5 miles a day
• Able to lift and carry program supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.

DESIRABLE/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in inclusive informal, educational, or recreational programs
• Experience and/or education in education, communication, or other directly related field or subjects, such as public speaking, interpretation, theater, or art and interpretation are preferred
• Experience in a zoo, aquarium, museum, nature center, or art studio environment a plus
• Working knowledge of American Sign Language, or Crisis Prevention Institute, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training a plus
• Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus

Salary: $20.00

Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming.  We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, values and experiences of all people. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those with lived experience with racism and/or misogynoir are encouraged to apply. For Wildlife. For All.