Job Details | Coordinator, Play Programs (Bilingual)

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Chicago Zoological Society

Location: BrookfieldIL 60513 Document ID: A8234-01OK Posted on: 2015-01-3001/30/2015 Job Type: Temporary

Job Schedule:Part-time
2015-03-01
 

Coordinator, Play Programs (Bilingual)

In July 2001, Chicago Zoological Society embarked on creating a revolutionary zoo experience for families. The result is Hamill Family Play Zoo, an interactive play adventure filled with animals, plants, and people that engages children and families helping to develop caring attitudes towards the natural world. The Play Zoo lets children touch animals, paint murals, plant gardens, discover insects and so much more. It is an amazingly fun way to connect with nature. With approximately 300 individual animals representing 58 species, children also have an opportunity to connect with a variety of animals in a unique setting.

The Coordinator, Play Programs (Bilingual) provides innovative nature play programs and experiences for children and families founded on the practices and philosophies of the CZS NatureStart initiative. Under the guidance of Play Program supervisors, this position develops and facilitates play programs, settings, and experiences in the Hamill Family Play Zoo, as well as at other Chicago Zoological Society events and programs providing extraordinary guest experiences and promoting innovations in conservation education, training, and leadership.

As Coordinator, Play Programs (Bilingual), you will draw upon your prior experience in facilitation to facilitate play with children aged birth-10. Making use of your ability to work with and handle live animals safely (including small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and invertebrates), the facilitation of play will include holding live animals, in both indoor and outdoor settings, as assigned. Your strong ability to communicate effectively with children of diverse backgrounds aged birth-10 will be utilized as you create, develop, and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences and programs with an emphasis on nature play for children aged birth-10 and their families for Conservation, Education and Training (CET) programs, Chicago Zoological Society special events, and other programs as requested by Hamill Family Play Zoo (HFPZ) supervisory team members. You will similarly create, develop, and implement play programs and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children aged birth to age 10 and their families at Hamill Family Play Zoo. As Coordinator, Play Programs, you will contribute to and actively participate in the CZS NatureStart initiative including developing activities and presentations and facilitating trainings and serve as the floor assistant for the Hamill Family Play Zoo exhibit in a support role to the supervisor on assigned days. Duties may include adjusting the day's schedule to reflect any crew changes, special activities that need accommodation, etc; serve as the primary point of contact for radio calls including first aid and lost child situations; and attend to needs of crew, guests, and exhibit such as providing bathroom breaks, answering guest questions, cleaning up spills and calling custodial crew for larger cleaning needs, receiving deliveries, and closing the building at the end of the day as scheduled. You will also be responsible for the daily care of equipment, property, play program materials, and play settings, including but not limited to, daily set-up, clean-up, inventory, and proper use of all equipment and property as well as provide guidance to adult and youth volunteers as directed.

Position Requirements and Specifications
The requirements for the position include the following:


  • High school diploma or equivalent required.
  • Basic computer literacy required. Experience with Windows, Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel required.
  • Minimum two years experience required in any of the following areas: facilitation of play, art, drama, music, or other creative activities, working with and/or supervising adult and youth volunteers, and/or early childhood education or other educational and/or recreational experience with children.
  • Must be able to work with and handle live animals safely including small mammals, herps, birds, and invertebrates.
  • Excellent customer service skills and/or demonstrated ability to work with the public effectively required.
  • Solid interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written. Strong ability to communicate effectively with children of diverse background aged birth-10 and their caregivers required.
  • Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency required.
  • Valid driver's license required. Illinois residents must possess a valid Illinois license within 90 days of hire. Valid out-of-state license required for out-of-state residents.
The desirable/preferred qualifications include the following:


  • Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts, Science, Fine Arts, Drama, Early Childhood Education, Environmental Education, or related field or equivalent combination of training and/or experience is preferred.
  • Minimum 1 year experience in a zoo, aquarium, museum, nature center, art studio environment, or early childhood classroom preferred.
  • A genuine interest in nature, animals, and children preferred.
  • Creative skills and abilities such as those demonstrated by a musician, actor, dancer, artist, gardener, farmer, naturalist, craftsman, costume designer, seamstress, or other relevant skills that could be applied to play experiences preferred.
  • Experience with PowerPoint and other office software packages preferred.


Additional Information
The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer - Minorities / Women / Veterans / Disabled.

The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer
     
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