Not really a job, just a summer job.
As a merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts for the last 8 summers, I have to deal with many kids, usually around the age of 11-13. I particulaly like to teach the Reptile & Amphibian merit badge, as I am a herper by hobby and you'd be suprised how ill informed peeps are in the subject (adults included).
Wednesday is the day I teach requirement 5 (we have them for 50 minute peroids over 4 days), which deals with Reproduction. Since I am a Biology major (and I was naturally knowledgeable about the subject for a long time) I go into more detial than most merit badge instructors (cause of the issue of sex, most try and make it elementray level to avoid problems).
That means I talk of things like:
Amplexus (Frog and toad mating position)
External sex (99% of frogs and toads do it, a majority of salamanders as well)
Spermatophores (Sperm capsules of salamanders)
Asexual reproduction (Some lizards do this)
Sperm Storage (Most lizards do this)
Hemipenis (Involving snakes have 2 penises, one barbed the other the actual penis)
You'd be suprised how all kids (and adults) have had no problem with me discussing this subject. When I first signed up for the job I was worried of kids telling thier adult leaders or parents of what we discussed and for someone out of the hundreds of kids I've told this, I expected someone to be offended or inappropriate. As a college student working towards a biology/secondary education degree (woot senior this year) I found it curious, though I doubt I'll push my luck once I get into private schools.
I mean yeah I get the occascional snicker/wide eyed folks but nothing like "um...sir....should we/they need to know this stuff?"
I remember back in 2005 when I started this I always had in the back of mind that if the issue ever came up, I would simply say "Well it's in the merit badge book". Luckly I've yet to need to use the arguement.....
Another thing, EVERYTHING I have ever had on display (be it lizards, toads, frogs, or snakes) has had some kid or even adults come up to and ask if "so-and-so" was venomous.....yes johnny scout.....carolina anoles are venemous.......the lack of common sense.....ugh.
Also I've learned how fucked up urban kids can be (well more thier fucked up parents probably).....
We sometimes get these troops that really are not troops from urban parts of big cities. These kids, mostly black and hispanic, are given a free week at the camp (Council pays for them) and we have to tolerate them. Sometimes they are good kids in the bunch, and they develop into great troops or even join staff when they get older. But a majority of them are kids that their parents didn't want to deal with for a week and they take it out on us.
In 2006 we had a few urban that had knife fights in the showers, and we had 2 of our biggest "badass" looking staffers have to stay guard outside the showers to "scare" them into not fighting. Also these same troop weren't happy about the concept of something other than their bathroom at home. We have flushable toliets (some camps don't have that luxury) but because they weren't like the bathrooms at home they just "held thier #2's in" until nightfall. Then they'd sneak out crap on to the ground then cover it with rocks or wrap it in their dirty underwear and chuck it over the mesa. By the time we caught on (cause of the smell) to this there was at least 20+ piles of rocks......I hated that afternoon.......
This last summer we had urban kids that had NEVER eaten with a spoon/fork/knife before in their lives......
The image of these kids with clueless looks at the silverware was.......heart breaking......
I mean yeah we always had the fights, the swearing, the stealing, and the "I don't wanna be here attitude" but the last 2 examples are the one's I'll remember for the rest of my life....
Finally I learned how uber lazy people can be......
I don't want to get started on the stupid shit I've had to deal with because someone didn't want to lift a finger.
