Early Child Educ Progrms - Inclusion Counselor (Seasonal)

Brookfield Zoo Chicago•Brookfield, IL

25d•$20•Onsite

About The Position

Join the PRIDE! BASIC FUNCTION: The Camp Programs Inclusion Counselor (seasonal) contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by providing the highest level of quality customer service and extraordinary guest experiences with quality programming to participants to further Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s mission of inspiring conservation leadership. This is a seasonal non-union hourly position, grade S009 with a pay rate of $19.85 per hour. For our Benefits Summary Information, follow this link to our Benefits Table or copy and paste the following in your internet browser 5dfac8db-5b35-45d1-8e3c-b37c698b6d43.pdf (please refer to the non-union, seasonal employee section) and/or refer to the benefit details provided below after the job description information. 2026 Summer Camp dates are: June 8 - August 7. There is no camp the week of July 4th (June 29 - July 3). Camp staff training will take place the week of June 1. The typical scheduled hours for camp staff are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; until 5:00 p.m. for aftercare. Each staff member typically gets assigned one week of aftercare coverage. Further information about camp programs can be found here. PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Responsible for supporting and assisting one or more campers with a disability who are enrolled in Zoo Camp to promote participation in camp activities and independence to the fullest extent possible. Provide direct support to campers who require one-to-one assistance or who require a lower staffing ratio and act as an advocate for the campers receiving support within Zoo Camp. Work with Camp Programs Counselors to adapt existing camp activities to individual camper needs and abilities. Implement effective behavior management strategies and document challenging behaviors. Organize and prepare all adaptive materials and inclusion resources for campers in their care. Communicate on a daily basis with parents/guardians of campers receiving inclusion support and address any questions, challenges, or concerns. Work with the Camp Programs Inclusion Specialist to formulate individualized support plans for campers. Function as a Camp Programs Counselor when called upon. Other related duties as assigned. Denotes Essential Job Function(s)

Requirements

High School diploma or (GED) equivalent required.
Must be at least 18 years of age as required by the American Camp Association Guidelines.
Two months paid and/or volunteer/unpaid experience working with groups of children and/or educating the public in a formal or informal educational setting, e.g., camp, park district, Special Recreation Association, day care, student teaching, school, or cultural institution, required.
Two months working with individuals with disabilities required, e.g. paid and/or volunteer/unpaid experience at a facility/organization/program such as special recreation association, social service, special education, fieldwork in a therapy or education program at college level, etc.
Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills required.
Must be an enthusiastic and flexible team player and able to work in a stimulating environment.
English fluency at a professional working proficiency required.
Excellent customer service skills and experience working with guests effectively.
Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.

Nice To Haves

One year of college or two years of equivalent experience preferred, including coursework in special education, therapeutic recreation, rehabilitation, applied behavior analysis, or other directly related field or subjects.
Experience working in inclusive informal, educational, or recreational programs a plus.
Experience in a zoo, aquarium, museum, nature center, or art studio environment a plus.
Working knowledge of behavior management strategies a plus.
Training or certification in Crisis Prevention and Intervention, Safety Care, Handle with Care or other related certification a plus.
Multilingual ability, Spanish and/or American Sign Language fluency a plus.

Responsibilities

Responsible for supporting and assisting one or more campers with a disability who are enrolled in Zoo Camp to promote participation in camp activities and independence to the fullest extent possible.
Provide direct support to campers who require one-to-one assistance or who require a lower staffing ratio and act as an advocate for the campers receiving support within Zoo Camp.
Work with Camp Programs Counselors to adapt existing camp activities to individual camper needs and abilities.
Implement effective behavior management strategies and document challenging behaviors.
Organize and prepare all adaptive materials and inclusion resources for campers in their care.
Communicate on a daily basis with parents/guardians of campers receiving inclusion support and address any questions, challenges, or concerns.
Work with the Camp Programs Inclusion Specialist to formulate individualized support plans for campers.
Function as a Camp Programs Counselor when called upon.
Other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Mental Health: Support, counseling, and resources for life issues at no cost to you. Eligible employees and their immediate family have access to Perspectives, a dynamic Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) which provides 24/7, confidential care and resources to address work and life stressors.
Retirement Savings: A 401(k) savings plan is available for all employees. Choose either pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax contributions. First of the quarter following one year of service, eligible employees receive matching contributions of 50% of the first 6% you contribute.
Advanced Inquiry Degree Program
Brookfield Zoo Chicago has partnered with Project Dragonfly at Miami University of Ohio to bring an exciting Master’s degree program to the Chicagoland area. The Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) is an inquiry-driven learning experience, allowing participants to take classes from Miami University faculty. Enrollment is open to applicants with a bachelor's degree, regardless of academic major or profession. This program is designed for teachers and other education professionals.
BZC University
The Zoo offers a variety of training, both on-site and via virtual classes and e-learning through Brookfield Zoo Chicago University at no cost to employees, including professional development, skill-building courses, conservation topics, zoo and animal-related topics, safety, leadership development, wellness, and much more. Instructors include guest speakers, staff presenters, and outside trainers.
Tuition Reimbursement
Regular, full-time non-union employees who have at least one year of seniority are eligible to apply for reimbursement of tuition expenses to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year.
Access Credit Union
Employees are eligible immediately upon employment to participate in the credit union. The minimum balance is $5. Savings are insured up to $100,000, and savings accounts, new and used car loans, personal loans, student loans, and much more are available.
Blackhawk Work Perks
Special offers on Chicago Blackhawks games. Tickets start at $30.
Discounted Membership at Loyola Center for Fitness
Corporate discount members receive $0 enrollment and 25% off individual dues. Monthly pricing is subject to the number of people on the membership.
Discounted Day Care
Discounted day care is available through a partnership with KinderCare Education to provide discounted childcare benefits for employees. Covered brands include KinderCare® Learning Centers, Children’s Creative Learning Center, Inc. (CCLC), and Champions before and after-school care programs. Employees with children enrolled at a participating center save 10% on childcare tuition for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years available at over 100 locations throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area.
Employee Discounts
Employees may benefit from “Working Advantage,” an employee discount program, which offers a wide variety of discounts to staff.
Enterprise-Rent-A-Car
Discounts are available to staff members through Enterprise-Rent-A-Care for their personal use.
Free Flu Vaccines
Each year the Zoo offers free, on-site flu vaccinations to all full-time and regular part-time employees.
Free Admission and Parking
The laminated pass entitles the employee to free parking and admission to the Zoo and paid attractions. The card also extends the same privileges to the employee’s immediate family (spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, children, and parents).
Free Admission to Other Cultural Institutions
The Zoo has reciprocal agreements with other major Chicagoland cultural institutions which allow employees and certain guests to receive free admission and/or parking pursuant to BZC’s policy.
Free Notary Public Service
Several staff are commissioned Notary Publics and provide free notary services to BZC staff.
Freebie Table
Consistent with our conservation ethic, we have a “Freebie” table where staff can place unused/unwanted items that still have value for other staff members to claim. This has been a great way to recycle/upcycle by making unused items available to others.
Little Free Library: Take a Book. Share a Book.
The Zoo has a “Little Free Library” book exchange. If an employee sees a book they would like to read, they can take it, or they may donate a book they have finished. When they are done, they can return it to the Little Free Library or leave it at another Little Free Library location for others to enjoy.
Zoo Day Camp Discount
Zoo staff who register their child(ren) for Summer Camp at Brookfield Zoo Chicago receive a discounted price for a week of camp for each child registered. The discount is limited to immediate family members only (grandchildren included). Lunch and T-shirts are not discounted.
Zoo Discounts
Employee discounts are available on BZC gift shop and restaurant purchases, including 25 cent drinks when the Zoo-issued drink cup is used.