Director of Staff & Community Engagement

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Staff and Community Engagement is a cornerstone of the EKC year-round team. This position combines ownership of Camp's technology systems and staff experience with strategic responsibility for program logistics, community partnerships, staff recruitment, and rental/off-season business development. This role manages the systems, people, and relationships that keep Camp running smoothly year-round, while driving Camp's Jewish community partnerships, non-summer programming, and rental growth strategy. This position is based in Pittsburgh and maintains residency at Emma Kaufmann Camp during the summer months from late May until late August.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Staff Recruitment, Hiring Compliance:

• Leads recruiting, hiring, and onboarding for all seasonal summer staff, rental staff, and head staff, including all required JCC onboarding paperwork.
• Partners closely with JCC's Human Resources department to ensure all documentation, clearances, and hiring processes are completed accurately and on time.
• Facilitates onboarding for international staff and manages related compliance requirements.
• Collects and maintains required paperwork from staff and vendors, including clearances, certifications, and insurance certificates, and tracks staff certifications to comply with WV Department of Health and ACA standards.
• Develops and implements a staff recruitment plan to meet the seasonal needs of rental partnerships and family programs, and facilitates staff engagement and retention through off-season events across EKC's geographic markets.

  Staff Engagement:

• Partners with the JCC's Chief People & Culture Officer and Camp Director to develop and implement sustainable strategies related to scheduling, workload, communication, staff well-being, and the overall employee experience.
• Serves as the primary liaison between EKC and the Chief People & Culture Officer, translating organization-wide people practices into approaches that are relevant and effective within the unique environment and demands of camp.
• Builds meaningful channels for staff feedback and engagement, using employee input and operational insights to identify opportunities, address concerns, and continuously improve the staff experience.
• Collaborates with the Camp Director to assess staff needs, prioritize areas for improvement, and implement practical solutions that strengthen staff engagement, retention, and overall effectiveness.
• Monitors the effectiveness of staff support practices throughout the season and recommends adjustments based on staff feedback, operational needs and emerging challenges. 
• Addresses staff concerns, including bunking, time off, complaints, and personal concerns.

Program Logistics, Facilities & Transportation:

• Supervises the Program Area Supervisors in the Summer and works alongside the Camp Director and Assistant Director to hire, train, and prepare those in these roles for the summer.
• Oversees identified program spaces during non-summer months, ensuring equipment functionality and adequate supplies for summer, and ensures appropriate maintenance and preparation of program spaces and facilities.
• Serves as the liaison for daily communication with EKC support services related to cleaning and facilities, and organizes pre- and post-Camp setup and breakdown/cleanup, including hiring staff for these areas.
• Supports logistics for outside vendors, trips, and activities utilized by the EKC Summer Program team, including bookings, payments, and travel coordination.
• Oversees all transportation logistics as it relates to opening and closing days, daily out-of-Camp trips, and non-summer travel needs and coordinates the acquisition of rental vehicles and equipment.

  Community Partnerships, Rentals & Between Season Business:

• Manages EKC program logistics for the Israeli/Warsaw Camper program in collaboration with Pittsburgh's partnership communities of Karmiel/Misgav (Israel) and Warsaw (Poland).
• Manages the RootOne Grant Program, supporting Staff in Training (SIT) participants in meeting program requirements to receive travel vouchers.
• Expands and increases rental opportunities, in partnership with the EKC Director, serving as the primary contact for rental groups while managing inquiries, bookings, schedules, payments, insurance, and contract needs, and builds and maintains strong working relationships with rental group partners.
• Coordinates, plans, and implements non-Camp season programming, and leads strategic planning for non-summer events and program logistics.
• Assists and supports all efforts to provide meaningful Jewish experiences for the EKC community, including Campers, staff, and families.
• Supports EKC's Friends and Alumni Network engagement.

Technology & Camp Systems:

• Supports the management of EKC's website, keeping content current and reflective of Camp's programs, partnerships, and community.
• Manages EKC's technology infrastructure and supports the team in using our systems effectively.
• Coordinates Camp technology needs, including iPads and other in-Camp devices.
• Utilizes the Campanion App (via CampMinder) to support parent and staff communication, including forms, newsletters, updates, and photos.

  Camp Culture & Community:

• Fosters a creative and spirited (Ruach) Camp culture in collaboration with the Camp Director.
• Assists in creating aspirational arcs in program areas and living units throughout Camp.
• Maintains certifications as a lifeguard, ropes course/zip line operator, and ski boat driver, as needed.
• Participates in all-staff meetings and works across departments as a key member of Camp's leadership team.

General Responsibilities:

• Works with a broad range of people — campers, families, staff, vendors, and agency leadership.
• Applies working knowledge of Jewish traditions, practices, and culture.
• Collaborates effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals, while independently managing tasks and projects to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality results.
• Applies working knowledge of Camp management platforms and website management and supports others in using them effectively.
• Develops direct reports and builds an engaged, dynamic team.
• 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 seasonal and/or part time personnel

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Supervision from Camp Director

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in business, education, recreation, hospitality, Jewish studies, social work or a related field is required (advanced degree is preferred) with at least 2 years of professional experience in Camping services, operations or a related field.

CERTIFICATIONS:

PA Criminal History Clearance

PA Child Abuse Clearance

FBI Clearance

PA Mandated Reporter Training

First Aid/CPR Certification

Equal Opportunity employer

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to:

JCC of Greater Pittsburgh

Attn: Human Resources

5738 Forbes Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15217