Camp Program Manager

Camp Program Manager

The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) is seeking a Camp Program Manager to organize and administer accessible and inclusive summer camps for autistic youth and adults in multiple locations. Successful candidates will be organized and effective communicators, with experience in summer camp operations. Exceptional candidates will likely have experience operating recreational programs for people with severe disabilities. This is a hybrid role with remote work and two days per week collaborating with our neurodiverse team at our St. Paul, MN office. This position includes at least 6 weeks on-site at camps during the summer.

AuSM enhances the lives of individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Founded in 1971, AuSM serves Minnesotans, throughout their lives, with a fundamental commitment to advocacy, education, support, collaboration, and community building.

The Camp Program Manager reports to the Program Director and is a member of the Programs and Services Department. This position provides support to and works closely with On-Site Camp Directors. This position's core responsibilities focus on the successful planning and execution of these programs and will require project management, leadership, training, and communication skills. AuSM has provided inclusive and accessible summer camps for autistic people since 1977. This highly visible position offers growth opportunities and significantly influences public perception of the organization.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Manage relationships with On-Site Camp Directors, who are seasonal independent contractors primarily responsible for program delivery and staff supervision.
• Coordinate partnerships with camp facilities and program partners, including Camp Knutson, True Friends, and other vendors.
• Ensure that annual contracts are completed and accurate for dates, services, accommodations, expenses, and staffing.
• Recruit and hire qualified and sufficient staff and volunteers to successfully operate all camp programs, which includes conducting phone interviews, making verbal offers, and monitoring contract agreements.
• Ensure all camp staff undergo background checks and complete any required documentation before, during, and after onboarding.
• Supervise a large group of independent contractors serving as Camp Counselors, Cabin Leaders, Camp Nurses, etc.
• Coordinate supervision of camp staff with On-Site Camp Directors to ensure each seasonal worker receives adequate training, on-site coaching, and documented performance feedback.
• Collaborate with On-Site Camp Directors and program partners to ensure camp programming is adequately planned and ready for the start of the camp season.
• Manage timely payment of expenses, including purchasing materials, approving invoices, and reconciling credit card expenses.
• Communicate with campers, camp staff, parents, and caregivers of campers, third-party payers, and other stakeholders.
• Manage the online registration application forms with Camp Brain and facilitate the enrollment lottery to select campers equitably and place remaining applicants on the waiting list.
• Collect applications for scholarships and fee waivers, then process support requests to allocate funds according to need. Communicate the results of the lottery and waiting list to all stakeholders.
• Review Camp Policies and Procedures annually and implement any required changes that support the continuous quality improvement of the camp programs.
• Work with Camp Nurses to ensure campers receive all prescribed medication, and only prescribed medication.
• Support camper and employee safety by ensuring strict adherence to safety policies and procedures. Document any accidents and injuries that may occur during the camp session.
• Facilitate an annual debrief with On-Site Camp Directors, partners, and other key stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain camp stakeholder information in Salesforce, Camp Brain, Gusto, and any other applicable database.

Marginal Functions:

• Work with the Finance Department to develop and monitor annual camp program budgets.
• Recruit participants for camp programs by assisting the Marketing and Communications Department with developing and distributing of marketing materials and serving as the primary point of contact for the community.
• Coordinate camper registration payments and support the Finance Department to collect third-party payments for campers using public support funding.
• Work with the Finance Department to complete payroll according to a predetermined payroll schedule.
• Develop and implement a program evaluation, training, and continuous improvement strategy to ensure high-quality camp programs.
• Lead camp training sessions or promotional presentations as needed.
• Support sustainable program funding by researching funding opportunities, supporting proposals, and submitting report narratives and program data to the Advancement Team.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements and all applicable local, state, and federal regulations related to the operation of the summer camp programs.
• Work with the Marketing and Communications Department to set up secure private access to photos taken during camps via the Cluster Photo Sharing application. Coordinate the exclusion of any participants who have not provided consent for photography and multimedia.
• Support other departments in the execution of events hosted by the organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• At least 3 years of prior experience in youth development, recreation, disability services, or autism-related functions.
• Ability to establish a strong rapport with various stakeholders, including verbal or written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, including attention to detail, project planning, time management, and analysis.
• Excellent customer service and project management skills.
• Excellent Mac computer skills, including Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Understanding of camp operations and programs.
• Knowledge and understanding of autism and the disability community.
• Fraud and Waste Prevention: Candidate must not be included in the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE) or the Minnesota Excluded Providers List.
• Safety of Children and Vulnerable Adults: Candidate must pass a criminal background check.

Preferred Skills

• Direct experience working with AuSM Summer Camp Programs is highly valued.
• A bachelor's degree or comparable experience is preferred but not required.
• Inclusive values and experience working with the neurodivergent community.
• Demonstrated success working independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and disability justice.
• Demonstrated good judgment and cultural competence to support communicating with a diverse range of individuals.
• Proficiency with Salesforce and web-based database applications.
• Experience seeking and writing grants and managing budgets preferred.

Position Details

• Includes 6 weeks on-site at camp during the summer.
• St. Paul, MN
• Full-time, non-exempt
• Hybrid position with remote work and two in-person days per week.
• Comprehensive benefits include:
• Flexible work schedule in a hybrid work environment.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Optional health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending accounts (FSA) for health or childcare costs.
• Basic term life insurance.
• Short- and Long-term disability insurance.
• 401k retirement plan.
• Up to 35 days off per year (15 vacation days, 6 sick days, 12 holidays, and 2 personal days).
• Opportunities for advancement.

About the Autism Society of Minnesota

Established in 1971, the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. AuSM seeks to enhance the lives of all who are a part of the Minnesota autism community, with a fundamental commitment to advocacy, education, support, collaboration, and community building.

At AuSM, equity and inclusion are central to our mission. Bringing diverse perspectives together supports strategic creativity for meeting challenges and focusing on growth. We strive to develop a workplace that reflects the communities we serve – in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical ability, neurodiversity, and ethnicity. We value our team members and want everyone to feel confident in bringing their full, authentic selves to work.

AuSM employs many people with disabilities and understands that qualified applicants may require reasonable accommodations to be successful. If you have a disability that requires accommodation for the interview process, please request accommodations by contacting us at View email address on click.appcast.io.