Jobs for People with MS: National MS Society

City of Fort Wayne

Pet Explorer Camp Counselor

2024181

Monday, 13th May 2024

Seasonal

Animal Care and Control

Varies

Fort Wayne, IN 200 E. Berry Street

$12.00 per hour

SUMMARY

Working under the direction of the Community Relations and Education Specialist, incumbent assists with Pet Explorers Day Camp for ages 6-12. As a camp counselor, the incumbent should practice good judgement to ensure the safety of the campers and follow department policies and procedures. They facilitate a safe, fun, and confidence building summer for all our campers. Counselors, as part of a dynamic team, will implement planned curricula, contribute ideas, and help to ensure a memorable camp experience for the campers, their families, and the other staff. We strive to create an environment where each camper and staff member has a sense of belonging, opportunities to share passions, and a place to thrive. Counselors will build community within their group, lead games and activities, and manage the physical and emotional safety of their group. They will also prepare for and lead some more involved activities for combined groups or organize camp wide activities. The incumbent is expected to exercise good judgment, independence, initiative, and professional expertise in conducting day-to-day operations. All work duties and activities must be performed in accordance with the City safety rules and operating regulations, policies and procedures as well as federal, state, and local regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESinclude the ability to interact with the public, City incumbents, and outside agencies with patience, tact, respect, and professionalism and the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Learns and presents animal related lessons to children;
• Directs, mentors, and supervises campers at all times;
• Provides care and guidance to campers, ensuring their physical and emotional safety;
• Encourages acceptance and fellowship between campers and staff;
• Explains rules, policies, and procedures of camp to campers;
• Directs animal handling of adoption animals to educate campers;
• Supervises campers during animal interactions;
• Ensures that activities are cleaned up and the site is kept clean, organized, and free of litter;
• Knows, enforces, and follows all safety guidelines associated with the camp and all program areas; This includes, but is not limited to, being responsible for campers safety and whereabouts at all times;
• Knows and understands all emergency procedures associated with the camp program;
• Attends regular camp staff meetings;
• Receives regular feedback from camp staff;
• Prepares education area and lessons before campers arrive each morning;

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Performs any and all other duties as required.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The incumbent is responsible to manage their performance in accordance with this job description and the performance expectations provided to them by management. If at any time the incumbent is unsure of their role or specific responsibilities, it is the incumbents responsibility to refer to their job description and ask for clarification from their supervisor. Management will work with the incumbent, as needed, to ensure performance expectations are clearly communicated and performance goals are achieved.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Incumbent does not supervise any staff but may have one or two Volunteers assigned to assist incumbent with special projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum age of 16 years old and inte ested in pursuing a related degree/career upon graduation;
• Previous experience working with childrens groups as a school or recreation center assistant, camp counselor, nature guide, scout assistant, pre-school attendant or other related experience.

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and/or ABILITIES

• Knowledge of or the ability to learn the principles of animal welfare issues;
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn about childrens emotional needs/how to communicate with children ages 6-12;
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work and motivate diverse individuals and groups;
• Self-starter and ability to work independently and monitor performance objectives to meet goals and deadlines;
• Ability to learn basic animal handling and behavior skills;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and structured environment;
• Ability to follow a schedule and be flexible with changes;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, educators, and general public.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to write and speak clearly and concisely; Ability to successfully communicate animal welfare issues to children. Incumbent must have effective communication skills and be able to present program information clearly.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid Drivers License if City vehicle is used;
• First Aid and CPR trained.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, however, in the kennels it is loud.

All applications for currently posted positions will be submitted on line atwww.cityoffortwayne.org. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Reasonable accommodations for persons with a known disabling condition