BB Camp Unit Director

Camp Shalom at the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches is looking for talented, passionate individuals to join us and commit to giving our campers their best summer ever!  

If you love working with kids and have experience doing so, we want to talk to you about being a Unit Head this summer! To learn more about what you'd do, we hope you'll continue reading and submit an application. 

JOB SUMMARY:

Besides having the best summer yet, you'll have fun and get paid for it! Ultimately, you're doing your job if campers are having fun, and their safety and well-being are the priority at all times. The main focus of a Unit Head is to provide guidance and support to immediate staff and campers in a specific unit. This position involves a combination of leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills. You'll be provided a schedule by the Unit Head to help lead your day-to-day responsibilities around camp and have many opportunities to collaborate with other staff in planning fun activities for the campers. Work is generally June – August, Monday – Friday as directed by the summer camp schedule each year. Look below for some specific responsibilities and expectations of this position:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensures campers and staff are safe and protected while participating in each activity.
• Lead and supervise a group of campers and staff, typically divided by age or program.
• Provide guidance, support, and positive role modeling for campers to encourage personal and social development.
• Implement daily camp programs and activities, ensuring they align with the overall camp objectives.
• Maintain a safe and secure environment for campers by enforcing safety rules and protocols.
• Be aware of any health or behavioral issues among campers and take appropriate action, including communication with parents and camp management.
• Work collaboratively with other unit leaders, counselors, and camp staff to ensure a cohesive and positive camp atmosphere.
• Attends camp orientation, open house, staff meetings, field trips, late nights, and overnights as required.
• Address and resolve conflicts or issues within the unit, promoting a positive and inclusive camp culture.
• Complete necessary paperwork, such as attendance records, incident reports, and evaluations.
• Assist in organizing and executing special events or themed days within the camp schedule.
• Be prepared to respond calmly and effectively in emergency situations, following camp protocols and procedures.
• Plan and facilitate age-appropriate activities to be used when needed. (i.e., for rainy days and high heat index days)
• Maintains adherence to all company policies and procedures, including agency safety requirements. Request safety-assistance devices, including requesting additional assistance before moving or lifting any excessively heavy and/or awkward objects.
• Must work the days and hours to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks and be punctual and timely in meeting all performance requirements, including but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines.
• Performs additional duties as agreed upon by the supervisor and by camp needs.

POSITION RELATIONSHIPS:

The position requires occasional internal interaction with employees, parents, supervisors, officers, board members, and other agency personnel and community members. You would be responsible for maintaining positive, courteous, and professional relationships with families and children enrolled in the youth and camp programs, all JCC staff, professional staff from other related agencies, and the greater community.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• A LOVE for working with children and having fun!
• Some college experience is required.
• Formal or informal childcare experience is preferred, but not required.
• Previous youth group or camp experience is a plus.
• Ability to speak fluent English, understand it as well as read and write.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Tasks involve the ability to exert moderate physical effort which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (up to 75 lbs.), bending, stooping, stretching, squatting, and sitting.
• Must possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.
• Must have visual and auditory ability to keep track of multiple campers and to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to camp activities.
• Effective and clear communication is essential between campers and staff.
• Ability to complete written paperwork such as notes home, incident reports, etc.
• Noise level can be moderate to loud.
• Frequent exposure to outside elements, such as sun exposure, heat, humidity, and rain.

SALARY RANGE:

• Summer stipend commensurate with experience.
• Continued employment is dependent upon the availability of funding resources.

BESIDES GETTING A PAYCHECK AND HAVING FUN, WHAT ELSE DO YOU GET WHEN YOU WORK AT CAMP?

           WORKING IN THE CAMP ENVIRONMENT CULTIVATES MANY NEW SKILLS...

• ORAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS
  You will be required to communicate effectively with people at every level of the organization — campers, fellow staff, camp directors, and parents.
• CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING
  You will be challenged to think on your feet — from resolving child health and safety issues to facilitating a group of campers in creating and putting on a skit.
• INTERPERSONAL AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS
  You will model professionalism and compassion by managing a group of campers while contributing to the growth and development of each participant.
• COLLABORATIVE SKILLS
  You will receive on-the-ground, practical, real-life training in how to work with a team and help build the culture of your camp community.
• CREATIVITY
  You will develop innovative and fun ways to engage an audience of two to 200.

WHY SHOULD YOU WORK AT OUR JCC CAMP?

The Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches is committed to a passionate, member and community-centric culture where team members are encouraged to contribute and collaborate leading to a highly engaged JCC family.

Recognizing and investing in our greatest asset, our staff. In addition to providing an engaged work environment, we take pride in the many offerings to our JCC Camp Staff as shown below: 

• Competitive Pay
• Staff Discount on our Programs
• Professional Development

OUR JCC IS A PLACE FOR ALL PEOPLE

The Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches does not discriminate against employees or clients based on race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, or any other characteristic protected by Federal and State law. A non-discrimination clause concerning employment opportunity is incorporated in the Personnel Manual. The Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.