Critter Camp Counselor

About the position

The Richmond SPCA is a non-profit organization located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. As a leader in the field of animal welfare, we are cultivating a community committed to saving, protecting and enriching animal lives with a mission to provide education and resources to achieve and sustain a no-kill community. Annually, we rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for about 4,000 homeless animals while also providing our region with vital safety net programs designed to keep thousands of pets in loving homes and out of shelters. Our values of collaboration, creativity, honesty, inclusion and respect guide not only what we do – but how we do it. Critter Camp Counselors serve as the primary adults responsible for children during our summer and winter camp programs. Critter Camp activities include arts and crafts, learning about an animal shelter and a veterinary hospital operates, learning to train their own pets, and more. Each camp session includes time with the cats and dogs in our care.

Responsibilities

• Supervise campers at all times – prioritizing safety – while following camp policies set forth by the Manager of Humane Education and the Chief Advancement Officer
• Serve as a positive role model for campers
• Work to ensure that all campers are comfortable and feel included
• Communicate with coworkers and management about incidents involving campers
• Assist in organizing and leading group activities throughout each week
• Supervise children attending Critter Camp
• Ensure the camp areas are kept clean and organized
• Maintain open and regular communication with the Manager of Humane Education
• Alert management when camp supplies may be running low
• Other related duties as assigned

Requirements

• Able to react to change productively
• Reliable transportation, including during inclement weather
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Participation in all required trainings and meetings before and during summer camp
• Successful completion of a background check
• Comfort handling/learning to handle both dogs and cats
• Strong commitment to no-kill principles (including spay/neuter and pet adoption) and to reward-based, positive reinforcement training methods
• Weekday daytime availability

Nice-to-haves

• Previous experience with children or relevant education
• Excellent attention to detail
• Uncompromising commitment to the wellbeing of children participating in camp
• Strong work ethic
• Able to work independently in a mature, professional, and productive capacity and as part of a team
• Punctual and reliable
• Able to multi-task, take and follow directions, prioritize, adapt to and accommodate changing demands
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Public speaking skills
• Resourceful, positive, get-it-done attitude

Benefits

• Eligible to become clients of the low-cost, full-service Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital of the Richmond SPCA