Day Camp @ The JCC - Group Leader

Job Description

Job Description

Together with our community, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (MMJCCM) creates opportunities for people to connect, grow, and learn within an ever-changing Jewish landscape. The MMJCCM imagines Jewish life that is diverse and engages meaningfully with its values, culture, and ideas in everyday lives.

The MMJCCM is looking for enthusiastic, patient, and positive Group Leaders with a genuine love for working with children. Group Leaders are responsible, motivated individuals with a strong passion for early childhood development and learning. In this leadership role, they oversee the daily activities and well-being of their campers while guiding and supporting co-counselors in planning and leading camp programs. Group Leaders work closely with their co-counselors and the Leadership Team to create a warm, safe, and nurturing environment for young campers as they begin their camp experience.

The Day Camp @ The Marlene Meyerson Jewish Community Center of Manhattan (the JCC) is a joyful, Jewish summer camp for children ages 3-10 on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. Our staff come from diverse backgrounds and all share the same enthusiasm and motivation for working with children. Staff are responsible for creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging camp experience, and serve as positive role models and team players for campers and staff.

The Day Camp @ The JCC is in session for the following dates:

Leadership Orientation: Any 3 evenings between April 2026 and June 2026.

All Staff Orientation: June 9th, 2026 to June 15th, 2026 on a varying schedule.

Camp: June 16th, 2026 to August 14th, 2026 during the hours of 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday-Friday.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead groups of 15–18 children, supported by 3–4 co-counselors, through a structured daily schedule of camp activities.

• Serve as a positive role model for campers and staff-particularly bunk staff-by actively participating in activities, using strengths-based language, and applying effective classroom management strategies.

• Ensure the safety and well-being of all campers by consistently modeling and upholding the camp's hands-on, child-centered approach.

• Maintain meaningful and consistent communication with families through emails, phone calls, and meetings to share updates on group activities, camper progress, and any successes or challenges that arise.

• Collaborate closely with the Care + Inclusion Team, specialists, and directors to support each camper's unique strengths and needs.

• Communicate camper involvement, progress, and concerns with directors as needed.

• Participate in weekly all-staff meetings to support collaboration and program success.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

REQUIREMENTS

• Currently working in, or having professional experience in, Education, Special Education, Child Care, Psychology, or Social Work

• One to two years of experience working with young children in a school, camp, or child care setting

• Master's degree preferred

• Demonstrated experience communicating and collaborating with families

• Highly organized with strong time management and planning skills

• Comfortable sharing ideas, plans, and feedback clearly and collaboratively with a team

• Strong engagement and relationship-building skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with children

• Previous experience working in a camp or similar setting preferred

COMPENSATION

This position offers a compensation of $5,500-$6,300 (commensurate with experience).

The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, marital status and civil partnership/union status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other characteristic as established and protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Any job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.