Director of J&R Day Camp

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the JCC's flagship day camp program, including camper and staff recruitment, family engagement, staff development, daily programming and operations, facilities and budget management, and community partnerships. The Director will also provide supervisory oversight to the JCC South Hills Day Camp Director, ensuring a consistent standard of excellence, safety, and Jewish values across both camp locations. Maintains summer assignment at J&R Day Camp.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Vision:

• Leads the overall vision, culture, and daily operations of J&R Day Camp, ensuring camp experiences align with the JCC's mission, strategic priorities, and the Sheva Lenses.
• Identifies opportunities for new camp offerings, partnerships, and innovative program models.
• Serves as a visible, hands-on presence during the camp season, modeling expectations for staff and building relationships with campers and families.
• Supervises the Director of JCC South Hills Day Camp, ensuring alignment of programming quality, policies, and organizational standards across both campuses.
• Serves as an ambassador for J&R and JCC Day Camps, energizing direct reports, colleagues, camp staff, families, alumni, volunteer leaders, donors and other stakeholders about the value of camp.
• Engages with the JCC Youth & Camp Committee and assist in the development of meeting agendas and committee updates as needed.
• Prepares reports for the JCC Board as requested and maintains availability to the members.

Camper Recruitment & Family Engagement:

• Designs and executes a comprehensive camper recruitment strategy to meet or exceed enrollment goals, including outreach events, open houses, tours, and community partnerships.
• Represents J&R and JCC Day Camps at community events, fairs, and partner organizations to raise visibility and drive enrollment.
• Develops retention strategies that keeps families engaged and returning year over year, including regular communication, family programming, and responsiveness to family needs.
• Collaborates with JCC program directors and the Marketing department to develop a strategic camp marketing plan to best ensure successful recruitment and retention of campers.
• Serves as the year-round primary point of contact for questions, concerns, and feedback while striving to continuously improve the camper experience.
• Monitors enrollment trends and proactively implements growth initiatives.

Program Development & Quality:

• Ensures J&R Day Camp provides safe, engaging, age-appropriate, and inclusive experiences.
• Oversees the development of camp themes, activities, special events, trips, and enrichment opportunities.
• Maintains a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Integrates Jewish values, community-building, and opportunities for personal growth into camp programming.
• Implements regular surveys to measure the overall quality of the camp experience and whether camp programs meet the needs of campers and families.

Staff Recruitment, Supervision & Development:

• Develops and implements strategies for the recruitment, hiring, training, and oversight of all year-round and seasonal J&R Day Camp staff.
• Builds and delivers a comprehensive J&R Day Camp staff training program, including topics such as camper supervision, activity planning, effective teamwork, behavior management and inclusion practices, and emergency procedures.
• Establishes clear performance expectations and conducts regular staff evaluations, providing coaching, feedback, and professional development throughout the non-camp and camp seasons.
• Implements regular surveys to measure the overall staff experience at J&R Day Camp and identifies opportunities for improvement while ensuring a steady pipeline of new and returning seasonal staff.
• Fosters a positive workplace culture throughout J&R Day Camp grounded in accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Ensures compliance with all employment practices and organizational policies.

Operations & Risk Management:

• Oversees all operational aspects of camp, including scheduling, transportation, food service, facilities use, and camper health and safety.
• Develops and implements camp policies, procedures, and emergency protocols in accordance with American Camp Association (ACA) standards and applicable state licensing requirements.
• Partners with JCC Security in risk management planning, emergency preparedness, and incident response procedures.
• Maintains accurate records and reporting systems.

Inclusion & Neurodiverse Support:

• Serves as a subject-matter resource for supporting neurodiverse campers and campers with varying social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
• Implements and oversees the use of Positive Behavior Support (PBS) strategies across camp programming, ensuring staff are trained and equipped to apply them consistently.
• Partners with families, specialists, and internal support staff to develop individualized accommodation plans as needed.
• Champions a camp culture where inclusion is embedded in all aspects of camp operations and program design.

Fiscal Management & Fundraising:

• Develops and manages the camp operating budget, monitoring revenue and expenses to meet financial targets.
• Analyzes enrollment, staffing, and operational data to support decision-making.
• Identifies opportunities for earned revenue growth and operational efficiencies.
• Partners with the JCC's development team to support camp-related fundraising initiatives, including donor cultivation and grant reporting.

General Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates experience recruiting and engaging families in a service-oriented environment.
• Demonstrates experience training staff in and applying Positive Behavior Support strategies, with meaningful experience serving neurodiverse populations.
• Possesses a working knowledge of Jewish traditions, practices, and culture.
• Works effectively with other key JCC departments to provide effective and efficient service delivery.
• Ability to define problems, develop solutions, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to manage and balance a variety of responsibilities in a fast-paced environment under tight time constraints.
• Ensures adherence to and integration of the agency core values (shared lenses) Masa (reflection, return & renewal), B’Tzelem Elohim (dignity and potential), B’rit (belonging & commitment), Hit’orerut (amazement & gratitude), D’rash (inquiry, dialogue & transmission), K’dushah (intentionality & presence) and Tikkun Olam (responsibility).
• Recognizes that the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh gathers individuals representing diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and practices.
• Creates a warm and welcoming environment.
• Maintains a high degree of organization and attention to details.
• Adheres to Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh policies and procedures.
• Actively supports and participates in continuous intra-departmental and agency-wide quality improvement processes. “Everyone, Every Day, Closer to Better”.
• Actively promotes and maintains agency customer service standards.
• Ensures compliance with all state, federal and local regulating agencies.
• Generates necessary reports and documentation as needed and/or required.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to operate personal computers (hardware and software).
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required.
• Ability to travel, as needed.
• Ability to perform other related duties, as needed and/or required.

(These responsibilities are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed.)

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

While performing the above duties, this position routinely requires handling persons and/or objects and moving safely throughout the building. This position may include walking, sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling. This position requires communicating, either verbally or in writing. This position frequently requires moving items weighing up to 25 pounds. This position occasionally requires moving items weighing up to 50 pounds. Must be able to complete all essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Supervises Full Time, Part Time and/or Seasonal Personnel

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Supervision from Chief Program & Innovation Officer

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Recreation, Social Work or related field with advanced degree preferred with at least 5 years of camp, youth development or related program leadership experience, including direct staff supervision. ACA Camp leadership certification preferred.

CERTIFICATIONS:

PA Criminal History Clearance

PA Child Abuse Clearance

FBI Clearance

PA Mandated Reporter Training

First Aid/CPR Certification

Equal Opportunity Employer

Please submit resume and cover letter to:

Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

Attn: Human Resources Department

5738 Forbes Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15217