Imagination Program Specialist (Teacher), New Country Day Camp

New York, NY, US

New Country Day Camp is an open-tent community that celebrates and sustains joyful, outdoor summer experiences where all can thrive. We maintain a proud legacy as a Jewish camp, comprised of a multicultural community, representing and celebrating the heartbeat of NYC. We build meaningful connections with ourselves, each other, and the natural world around us through innovative programming that is rooted in Jewish tradition and guided by universal values.

New Country Day Camp is a 7-week, outdoor summer camp for campers in kindergarten-8th grade. NCDC operates M-F, 8am-5pm, and provides transportation for staff and campers to and from our campgrounds on Staten Island via multiple locations throughout Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. NCDC is a neurodiverse camp community, and all staff members are responsible for supporting neurodivergent and neurotypical campers and staff to have successful summers.

The Imagination Program Specialist is responsible for creating and implementing high-quality outdoor programming for New Country Day Camp. Campers in this program build worlds, invent characters, solve magical challenges, and bring stories to life through roleplay, collaborative adventures, creative design, and hands-on fantasy-inspired activities.

Program Specialists are passionate about teaching their area of expertise in an informal, outdoor, educational setting. They teach multiple groups of K – 8th grade campers daily, for 30 – 60-minute program blocks each.

Salary: $200 per day

RESPONSIBILITIES Program Management

• Incorporate NCDC values and seasonal themes rooted in Jewish sensibilities into programming.

• Independently develop lesson plans, differentiated by age group and offering adaptations for a variety of needs and abilities. Submit lesson plans to supervisor by an agreed upon deadline for feedback.

• Execute 30 – 40-minute sessions for groups of up to 30 campers at a time, grouped by age and including varying needs and abilities.

• Develop and execute week-long, progressive, and comprehensive units for elective time. Elective sessions are 50 – 60 minutes long and include 10 – 40 campers at a time. Campers in elective units are in 4th – 6th grades and have a variety of needs and abilities.

• Assist in creating and implementing activities for kindergarteners and 1st graders for their independent playtime.

• Participate in and lead portions of weekly Shabbat celebrations.

• Be actively involved in the development and implementation of NCDC Maccabi Games (color war).

• Develop rainy day programming pre-camp and execute programming as needed over the summer.

Logistics

• Supervise campers and staff on a camp bus, riding the bus to and from camp, interacting with caregivers at drop-off and pick-up, conducting camper check-in and check-out on camp’s attendance database

• Be responsible for overall cleanliness and organization of program spaces and supplies

• Work with Operations Manager and Program Coordinator to order supplies for program units, as well as maintaining an organized inventory and balanced budget

• Assist campers and counselors in pool changing rooms, lunch service, and other non-program spaces as assigned

• Exhibit and maintain strong time management capabilities

• Actively participate in NCDC’s sustainability and waste management efforts

• Submit weekly elective programming written/photo content to Communications team for shareable family content

• Communicate/consult as needed with Division Supervisors and Support Supervisors regarding camper needs and concerns

• Provide additional support for counselors and campers outside of lesson time as needed and assigned, particularly on days when it is rainy and/or counselors are absent

• Ensure the proper storage of all program equipment so that it is maintained in good repair, removing any unsuitable program equipment from use immediately

Leadership and Supervision

• Task manage staff when attending your program spaces and 1 or 2 Counselors-in-Training who are assigned to work as assistants in your program.

• Model professional behavior for campers and other staff at all times.

• Attend required days of orientation and training, camp, and staff meetings during the camp season.

• Proactively solve problems and motivate colleagues as difficult moments present themselves throughout the camp season; encourage flexibility and understanding as means to achieve common goals.

• Establish and promote a commitment to the values, mission, and vision of New Country Day Camp.

• Develop clear roles for counselors during programming, with special attention paid to afternoon programming during elective periods

• Conduct daily check-ins with direct supervisee(s) and attend a weekly check-in with supervisor, consultants, and colleagues.

• Learn and implement NCDC’s restorative approach to supervision and behavior management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of experience working with elementary school-age children

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required

• Professional-level experience in field related to the CCG program, such as outdoor education or culinary education

• Previous experience as a supervisor or mentor

• Excellent organizational and oral communication skills

• Ability to successfully interact with children and colleagues of diverse cultural and social backgrounds

• Fast learner with ability to work independently and collaboratively

• Previous experience working with neurodivergent youth is a plus

Limitations and Disclaimers

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

EEO Info

Educational Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

For further information about Educational Alliance, please visit