Summer Camp Unit Head

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities or requirements of this position. Employees are expected to perform other functions as assigned or requested to further support the organization’s mission.

Position Summary

This is a temporary position in the Youth Department of Jewish Long Beach and Alpert Jewish Community Center. The Camp Counselor is responsible for the health and safety of the children in his/her care, continuing the Guidelines of the Jewish Long Beach and Alpert JCC Youth Program, and to propagate a positive experience for campers allowing them to grow emotionally and developmentally.

Essential Duties

• Guide campers in positive group experiences, which may include planning a full range of activities for groups during the camp day. Setting up weekly group schedules with the Youth Department Associate and Youth Programs Manager. Helping to plan programs/activities to ensure pro-active and productive time for the campers.
• Mandatory attendance at staff training week (June 17th,2024-June 21st, 2024) and any supplemental staff trainings as assigned.
• Attendance at weekly staff meetings, camp management meetings, and any other additional supervisory conferences.
• Serve as the head counselor for one's group while also building relationships with all summer camp staff.
• Serve as a resource to assist summer camp staff with day-to-day issues and parent communication.
• Assist with the implementation of staff training.
• Routinely communicate with parents of campers and pass on any feedback that is pertinent to their development or building parent-to-staff relationships.
• Serve as a backup for driving in the event a driver calls out.
• Communicate field trip plans and itinerary to camp staff to ensure a smooth day.
• Maintenance of all camp facilities and surrounding areas, fiscal responsibility to Youth Programs Manager, and assumed responsibility in program areas as assigned.
• Lead or support various camp activities even when not the assigned lead for a program. This may consist of standing next to the song leader during morning circle or asking co-counselors how to best facilitate their program.
• Supervision of all campers in group, accountable for attendance, health supervision, and safety of all campers in group. Accountable to the Youth Department Associate and the Youth Programs Manager for all information concerning campers.
• Maintains the highest quality of courtesy, friendliness and service excellence toward members, visitors and other staff. Retains said qualities and acts as a representative of the Alpert Jewish Community Center in and out of building.
• Reacts to change productively and handles other essential tasks as assigned. General responsibilities of all Alpert Jewish Community Center staff include participation in staff meetings, display of courtesy towards current and prospective members, participation in programs or events as required and other staff team functions.
• Camp Counselors are also responsible for their own behavior as a role model. Language, attire, and behavior will be consistent and appropriate to JCC standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Behavioral Expectations

• Clearly communicate the “mission,” ensuring everyone works toward the same goals.
• Create a positive environment where two-way communication, accountability, and strong trust are established.
• Promote teamwork and respect, both internally between staff as well as in community-facing contexts with donors, volunteers, members, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrate the ability to respond with a high degree of responsiveness to the needs and requests of others, internally and externally. Understand the impact of their work on others.
• Deal constructively with conflict and focus on the situation, issue or behavior and not on the person by diffusing situations before conflicts arise, resolving conflicts directly and actively promoting and gaining cooperation from others.
• Accurately provide and receive information in oral and written communications.
• Consistently provide ideas, opinions, or information in an articulate, professional way.
• Actively listen to others and demonstrate understanding of other points of view.
• Willingness and ability to adjust to changing conditions or priorities.
• Take the initiative to identify and act on problems, and lead by example. Consistently make decisions that resolve problems and act decisively when necessary.

Requirements

? Must be able to relate well to children.

? Strong communication skills, both written and verbal are essential.

? Knowledge of, or willingness to learn about, Jewish holidays, traditions and life cycle events.

? React to change productively and successfully manage multiple details and deadlines.

Education and/or Experience

A High School diploma or equivalent required. Previous related experience with camp-age children, a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or successful completion Early Childhood Education Units are preferred.

Language Skills

Excellence in customer service requires the ability to deal effectively with people in a variety of situations in person and in writing. Ability to communicate effectively with individuals or groups of members or employees in English. Ability to read and interpret English language documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports and compose correspondence by hand and/or by computer.

Mathematical Skills

Basic math skills including the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. The ability to ask for assistance to draw valid conclusions as necessary.

Physical Demand

While performing the duties of this job, Summer Camp Unit Head is regularly required to use hands and fingers, handle or feel objects tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, and speak or hear. This person is required to stand and move about the entire building and grounds, as well as off-site area. Due to the nature of the job, it is necessary to be able to pick up a 45 pound child and navigate both classrooms and playground. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and distance vision up to 75 feet.

Work Environment

Primarily the Youth Wing is comprised of offices, game room, teen lounge, homework room and computer lab. Noise level, toys on the floor and clutter will be as are normal to child care environments. Some programs and responsibilities will occur in other parts of the campus or at off-site venues not owned or under the control of the JCC.