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Full Time

Youth & Camp Director

Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley 702 North 22nd St., Allentown PA

Job Description

The Youth & Camp Director is responsible for the development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the JCC’s youth and children’s programs, including Camp JCC, the JLounge after-school program, Vacation Camp, and Snow Days. The Youth & Camp Director plays an integral role in building our growing camp program and being an agent for change and positive growth. The Youth & Camp Director must be capable of “switching gears” – being approachable and fun when working with children and parents, and being organized and professional when in the office.

The Youth & Camp Director is a full-time position, reporting to the Program Director. The position requires expertise in working with children in an informal or experiential environment, such as summer camp or out-of-school programs. The Youth & Camp Director supervises staff and works alongside a team of professional colleagues as part of the JCC’s program team.

This position is an excellent opportunity for a mid-career JCC professional (or someone in a related field) who is looking to take a second or third step in their career. We are looking for someone energetic and motivated, with a positive, can-do attitude. The ideal candidate is a creative problem-solver who can work both independently and as part of a team as the situation dictates. To be successful, the Youth & Camp Director will need to be a self-starter, who can set goals and work toward them and takes an interest in their own personal and professional development.

Salary range: $48,000 - $55,000

Benefits include: Health insurance (employer subsidized), vision insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, generous PTO, flexible work schedule, free family membership, and program discounts.

Primary Responsibilities

Management

  • Provide supervision for part-time and seasonal staff members as assigned.
  • Assist in preparing the annual budgets for the youth and camp departments.
  • Help develop a plan for each department’s program in line with the organization’s mission and market demand.

Programming

  • Lead Camp JCC, the JCC’s summer camp program (50% of the time during the school year, 100% of time during the summer). This includes:
    • Creating a camp culture instilled with spirit, positive energy, and a commitment to the organization’s values.
    • Growing program offerings, camper enrollment, and departmental revenue through enhanced marketing, outreach, relationship-building, programming, recruitment, and sales.
    • Serving as the camp director during the summer and supervising the camp leadership team consisting of year-round and seasonal employees.
    • Overseeing the planning of all programmatic aspects of camp, such as field trips, special days, activity areas, and Shabbat.
    • Being responsible for all aspects of camper safety.
    • Acting as the primary liaison with parents.
    • Maintaining rooms and spaces inside and outside the building utilized by camp and coordinating facility usage with building services staff.
       
  • Plan and execute select programs and events throughout the year (25% of time during the school year), including classes and special events. This includes, but is not limited to Vacation Camp, special events, and family engagement programs
  • Supervise the JCC’s after-school program, called JLounge (25% of time during the school year). This includes:
    • Providing direct supervision for staff and serving as the primary backup when help is needed due to staffing shortages or staff time off.
    • Helping to promote the program and recruit new students.
    • Building relationships with parents, schools, and community leaders.
    • Oversee recruitment, hiring, and supervision of staff members.

Administration

  • Ensure compliance with all DHS and Keystone STARS regulations and guidelines for the JLounge and Vacation Camp programs including children and staff files.
  • Ensure operations are in compliance with the American Camp Association and all local (City of Allentown) and state regulations pertaining to the operation of a summer day camp.

Leadership

  • Take an active interest in career growth, including learning new skills, staying current on industry trends, and constantly innovating and taking calculated risks.
  • Hiring, recruiting, interviewing, and evaluating youth and camp staff. Planning and executing staff orientation and ongoing training, scheduling staff, and leading staff meetings and trainings.
  • Participate as a member of the JCC’s program team, providing support to co-workers.
  • Conduct personal outreach to JCC members and participants, building relationships and leveraging them to encourage repeat and cross-department business.
  • Regularly assess local competition to determine brand positioning and opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Minimum two years of professional experience working with children, preferably in an informal/experiential environment (such as summer camp or out-of-school programs)
  • Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent computer skills, including the Microsoft Office suite, and the ability to learn new systems quickly
  • CPR, AED and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain)
  • Knowledge of the JCC field and Jewish culture, traditions, and celebrations, or willingness to learn

Salary will be commensurate with education, qualifications and experience.