NYA Adjunct Educator- Camp Lead

Overview

Job Title:

Adjunct Educator
- Camp Lead

Reports To:

Manager of Education Programs

Location:

New York Aquarium

Job Type: Temporary/Seasonal

Department: NYA
- Education

Start Date:

June 8, 2026

End Date:
September 4, 2026

Schedule:

Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:00pm (~40 hours/week)

Pay Rate: $23.00 per hour

The WCS Education Department works across our five wildlife parks:
Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium. Our mission is to inspire a diverse and inclusive movement of conservation advocates by sparking connection with animals and nature, enhancing scientific literacy through hands-on investigation, and engaging constituents in stewardship and action to conserve wildlife and wild places.

The Adjunct Conservation Educator (ACE) will facilitate and support summer camp programming. They will be responsible for running camp programming as a Camp Lead for a variety of age groups, and supporting the conservation camp counselors, interns and volunteers assigned to assist. The ACE will report to work on-site at the New York Aquarium; this is not a remote work opportunity.

• Be the lead educator for weekly sessions of summer camp.
• Train camp counselors on camp curriculum.
• Oversee camp counselors during camp, delegating tasks, providing real time feedback, and facilitating formal observations and evaluations.
• Be responsible for the safety of all campers and for classroom and behavior management, including reporting and recording any incidents or accidents to camp co-directors.
• Communicate and coordinate with camp support staff as well as other zoo department staff as necessary.
• Communicate with caregivers about any incidents or accidents throughout the day and provide caregivers with camp photos.
• Establish a welcoming and inclusive culture for campers and counselors through the use of community building and restorative justice practices.
• Perform all related tasks and duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and procedures as presented by WCS and the WCS Education Department, including health and safety policies.

• Minimum Qualifications
• High School diploma or GED
• At least 10 weeks of prior camp counselor experience
• Ability to work within a highly team-oriented environment, as well as independently
• Excellent verbal communication skills to help interpret science concepts in classroom settings and at animal exhibits
• Reliable, flexible and accountable
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25lbs and spend long periods of time outdoors in all weather conditions
• Preferred Qualifications
• Recent college graduate or current graduate student
• One year teaching experience at an informal science institution, including a camp program
• Educational background in ecology, environmental science or education preferred
• Bilingual/Spanish speaker is a plus