Summer Camp Instructor at Animal Friends – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Position Overview:

Animal Friends is seeking enthusiastic, creative educators for part-time Summer Camp Instructor roles. Instructors lead half-day, animal-themed educational experiences designed to inspire compassion, curiosity, and advocacy in young people.

Programs take place both on the Animal Friends campus and at partner community locations, and therefore a valid driver’s license is required.

About the Program:

Summer Camp Instructors facilitate meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for youth who have completed Kindergarten through those entering their final year of high school. Through experiential learning with rabbits, dogs, and cats, Animal Friends’ Summer Camps and Mini Apprenticeships nurture the animal–young human bond and empower the next generation of animal advocates.

Our programs are grounded in humane education and explored through five interconnected lenses:

• The Human Perspective
  Campers explore identity, inclusion, social-emotional learning, and their relationships with animals, engaging with concepts such as consent, speciesism, and empathy to ask, “Who am I?”
• The Beyond-Human Perspective
  Campers learn about animal agency, behavior, instincts, physiology, and social life to better understand, “Who are you?”
• The Caregiver’s Perspective
  Through developmentally appropriate lessons, campers explore the Five Freedoms, enrichment, nutrition, and hygiene to answer, “What do you need?”
• The Animal Professional’s Perspective
  Campers gain exposure to animal-related careers and services, including veterinary care, shelter operations, humane investigations, spay/neuter services, TNVR, advocacy, and adoption work, asking, “Is an animal career for me?”
• The Citizenship Perspective
  Campers connect to broader issues such as animal welfare, One Health, inclusivity, volunteering, and community engagement to reflect on, “How are we all connected?”
  

This is a seasonal position offering between 15-40 hours per week. Summer programs run four-five days a week from June through August. This position requires a high level of energy, enthusiasm, creativity, flexibility, and the ability to work with groups of all ages, including campers, caregivers, volunteers, and staff, as well as dogs, cats, and rabbits.

Schedule & Commitment:

• Seasonal position, 15–35 hours per week
• Programs run four to five days per week from June through August
• Teaching may occur on campus or at partner community sites
• Applicants must be available for the following dates/times:
  • Mondays, 6/8–8/10, afternoon sessions
  • Tuesday–Friday, 6/23–6/26, morning sessions
  • Tuesday–Friday, 7/14–7/17, morning sessions

Essential Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Humane Educator, Humane Education Camps Liaison, and other staff to plan and deliver engaging camp lessons
• Attend 1–2 mandatory Camp Staff meetings prior to the start of the camp season
• Prepare, organize, and maintain materials and supplies used in daily camp activities
• Set up and clean up camp spaces at the end of each day
• Supervise and support teen Camp Counselors and adult Assistants, providing clear expectations and feedback
• Deliver approved, developmentally appropriate lessons, including coordinating animal visitors, special guests, and Adoption Floor tours
• Maintain a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment for all participants
• Facilitate a brief end-of-week “Show What You Know” experience for camper families
• Serve as a professional Animal Friends ambassador while on site or in the community
• Track hours worked using the Paylocity system
• Provide written feedback on camps as requested
• Communicate camper concerns promptly and complete Incident Reports when required
• Assist with set up and break down of camp spaces and materials on site and at partner community locations as needed
• Complete additional camp-related duties as assigned

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience teaching Humane Education, SEL, or animal-focused lessons preferred
• Strong classroom management skills required
• Excellent communication and public-speaking skills required
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds, sit or kneel on the floor, and stand for extended periods
• Comfort working around dogs, cats, and rabbits of varying temperaments and medical needs
• Valid driver’s license required
• Current Animal Friends volunteer status preferred
• Experience supervising staff or volunteers preferred

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Flexible, adaptable, and calm in fast-paced environments
• Trained in or open to responsive teaching and culturally responsive pedagogy
• Committed to inclusion and welcoming learners of all backgrounds
• Creative, reflective, and enthusiastic about experiential learning

Required Clearances & Certifications

• Teaching certification or license
• Valid Pennsylvania State Police, Child Abuse, and FBI clearances
• CPR/First Aid certification (strongly preferred)
• Mandated Reporter training (strongly preferred)
  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the primary functions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified to perform the essential functions of this position.