Camp Carmel Creek - Wilderness Specialist

Wilderness Specialist Camp Carmel Creek is a program of The San Diego Jewish Academy. We create summer adventures filled with joy, growth, curiosity and intention through a unique model combining classic day-camp, the focus of a specialty camp, and the connection of a sleepaway camp. We believe life's most valuable lessons come from independent discovery and perpetual curiosity. That is why we built a summer camp that inspired curiosity by putting kids in charge of their own adventures. Our 4 core values are Joy, Curiosity, Adventure and Community. What You Can Expect To Gain From This Role. We are committed to providing you with the skills to not just be successful at this camp, this summer, but rather we are providing you with skills that you can take into any career path in the future. Role Responsibilities Plan and lead outdoor wilderness programs for campers, including activities like hiking, survival skills, nature exploration, and environmental education. Teach essential wilderness survival skills, including shelter building, fire-making, water purification, navigation, first aid, and outdoor cooking. Lead guided hikes and outdoor adventures, fostering a sense of wonder and respect for nature, while ensuring camper safety at all times. Encourage teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving through group challenges, team-building exercises, and cooperative games in the wilderness. Promote environmental stewardship by educating campers on sustainable practices and the importance of conserving natural resources. Organize and lead camp-wide wilderness activities, including survival skill competitions, scavenger hunts, and outdoor leadership programs. Incorporate relevant outdoor traditions or cultural perspectives (e.g., indigenous teachings, Jewish or Israeli outdoor traditions, etc.) to enrich the wilderness experience. Maintain the safety and well-being of all campers by ensuring all activities are conducted according to safety standards and best practices. Collaborate with other camp staff to integrate wilderness education into camp-wide events, performances, and nature-related theme days. Participate in pre-camp training and ongoing professional development to stay up-to-date with wilderness skills, risk management, and educational strategies. Ensure the proper setup and breakdown of outdoor activities and equipment before, during, and after camp sessions. Qualifications Experience in wilderness education, outdoor adventure programs, or similar fields (e.g., Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, environmental education, etc.). Strong knowledge of wilderness survival skills, environmental education, and outdoor safety protocols. Experience in leading outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, navigation, and survival techniques, with a focus on youth education. Ability to adapt outdoor lessons to different age groups and skill levels, ensuring activities are both challenging and age-appropriate. Leadership skills, including the ability to motivate and inspire campers to engage in teamwork, outdoor challenges, and leadership roles. Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with campers, parents, and staff. Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness First Aid certification (preferred). Ability to work independently and as part of a team in remote or wilderness environments. Background in environmental science, outdoor education, or a related field (preferred). Experience with Jewish, Israeli, or cultural traditions related to the outdoors (preferred). CPR And First Aid Certification (preferred but not required). Must be available for pre-camp staff training and the full camp season. Term of employment Date: June 15th - August 7th, Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. Full-time and part-time opportunities available. Four staff training dates prior to June 15th. (30 hours of online and in person paid training prior to the start of camp) Salary Range: $22-$30 per hour. Our pay scale is based on level of schooling and experience. Employment Requirements SDJA is unable to provide immigration sponsorships such as H1B Visas. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and be willing to undergo both Live Scan background check (for age 18+) and TB screening as part of the hiring process. Compliance and Inclusivity California Compliance Notice In accordance with California law (Education Code 44939.5, as amended by SB 848), applicants for all positions with SDJA are required to disclose all current and former employment with educational institutions. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon the completion of required employment verifications. Statement of Inclusivity and Non-discrimination Camp Carmel Creek is a community of learners who value the rich diversity of its members. We welcome campers and staff with differences based on race, color, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, family structure, and economic background. The Camp will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability who is an applicant or an employee unless undue hardship would result. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on the employment application. If you require reasonable accommodation in the application and/or interview process due to disability, requests must be made in a timely manner. #J-18808-Ljbffr San Diego Jewish Academy