Assistant Director - Camp Experience

Job Description

Job Description

Assistant Director, Camp Experience – Camp Seneca Lake Job Description

REPORTS TO:

Executive Director – Camp Seneca Lake

COMPENSATION:

$60,000 to $80,000 annually

DEPARTMENT: 

Camp Seneca Lake

DIRECT REPORTS: 

Unit Heads, Camper Care Director, SIT Director (Summer) 

LOCATION: 

September 1 – May 31: Rochester, NY or remote from Northeast

June 1 – August 31: Penn Yann, NY

CAMP SENECA LAKE MISSION

For generations, Camp Seneca Lake has been the place where Jewish lives are shaped and Jewish leaders emerge. At CSL, we step away from the pressures of daily life to build courage, develop skills, and form friendships that last far beyond summer. Jewish identity is celebrated, kids become who they want to be, and community is carried home. 

Camp Seneca Lake serves youth and teens entering grades 3-12. Each cabin consists of 6-12 campers, staffed by at least 2 college-aged counselors. 

A MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY

The Louis S. Wolk JCC of Greater Rochester is more than an institution. It is a living, breathing reflection of what community can be—diverse, vibrant, welcoming, and resilient. It is a place where a child takes their first steps, a teen finds their voice, an adult discovers new purpose, and Jewish life, culture, and connection to Israel flourish across generations. It is a place to learn, connect, celebrate, and, most importantly, belong.

OUR VALUES

• Kehillah | Community
  
  
  We are stronger together. We nurture meaningful relationships.
• Hachnasat Orchim | Welcoming and Belonging
  
  
  Every person who walks through our doors belongs. 
• Chesed | Compassion
  
  
  We lead with kindness, empathy, and care for one another.
• Kavod | Honor and Respect
  
  
  We have each individual’s dignity and unique journey.
• Shmirat HaGuf | Being our Best Selves
  
  
  We care for body, mind, and spirit – for ourselves and others. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

Please Note : This is not an entry-level role, we are looking for an experienced professional (see below under Education and Experience) with 7-10 years of relevant experience. That experience doesn’t necessarily need to be in Jewish overnight camping, though it is helpful! Candidates with experience at the higher end of the range are more likely to be hired at the higher end of the pay scale.

As a member of the CSL management team, the Assistant Director, Camp Experience focuses on delivering a positive and meaningful experience for campers and staff, providing leadership for the hiring, training, engagement, and day-to-day supervision of seasonal staff, and for the oversight of camper wellbeing and behavioral support. 

During the summer, this role directly manages the Unit Heads and SIT Team and works closely with the CSL Executive Director, Assistant Director of Programming & Logistics, and Family Experience Manager to run the day-to-day functions of camp. This role also manages the Camper Care Director during the summer. 

During the off-season, this role leads staff recruitment and hiring, staff orientation planning, and staff culture initiatives to set up a successful camp season. This role also partners closely with the Family Experience Manager on post-enrollment family communications, and with the Camper Care Director and Health Center Director on camper physical and emotional wellbeing needs. This role does not own camper recruitment, but takes over the management of each camper’s experience once they are enrolled, overseeing bunking, behavioral and culture concerns, special needs, special diet coordination, etc. 

This is a full-time, year-round position. Summers are spent at camp in Penn Yan, NY, and private living quarters are provided.

HOW I WILL CONTRIBUTE

Camper Experience Responsibilities (Year-Round)

• In conjunction with the Camper Care Director and Health Center Director, develop and refine protocols for identifying and accommodating campers with medical, emotional, or behavioral needs prior to arrival
• Consult with parents, mental health professionals, and other appropriate individuals, in conjunction with the Camper Care Director, to determine appropriate accommodations prior to campers’ arrival, communicate to families, and document plans.
• Maintain and continuously improve camper documentation standards and escalation protocols
• Plan and host webinars for enrolled families (e.g., communications, SIT program, Senior Camper webinar, etc.) 

Camper Experience Responsibilities (Summer)

• Directly supervise the Unit Heads and the SIT Director, providing coaching, performance management, and day-to-day leadership
• Support and supervise the Camper Care team, performing regular evaluations
• Accountable for camper bunk assignment decisions, as well as staff cabin assignments 
• Accountable for reviewing forms and preparing camper files prior to each session, in partnership with the Camper Care Director and Health Center, to assess and anticipate campers’ needs and communicate those needs to Unit Heads and bunk staff 
• Serve as the primary point of escalation and decision-making for camper discipline matters
• Work closely with Unit Heads, Directors, and Health Center staff to monitor the physical and emotional wellbeing of campers, including leading daily Health Center Meeting and accountability for ensuring all post-meeting parent communication is done appropriately 
• Debrief and provide support and guidance to campers and/or staff after camper crises, disclosures, or stressful/traumatic events (in conjunction with Camper Care team)
• Ensure Unit Heads provide on-going guidance and support to staff responding to camper adjustment issues, separation anxiety, bullying, teasing, homesickness, or other mental health concerns (in conjunction with Camper Care team)
• Provide on-going support to staff in determining the appropriate response to campers’ behavioral, emotional, or mental health needs
• Accountable for creating proper documentation of camper issues and relevant communications with staff, coordinating with the Camper Care Director and Family Experience Manager on parent-facing communication

Staff Experience Responsibilities (Year-Round)

• Own the screening, interviewing, hiring, assignment, and supervision of bunk counselors and other seasonal staff, working in partnership with JCC HR and the Assistant Director of Programming and Logistics 
• Manage the staffing budget and salary scale, working closely with the Executive Director
• Accountable for managing the process for hiring international staff, including contracts with agencies, interviews, and communications with candidates, and support with questions and travel logistics
• Review, edit, and update the Staff Handbook annually, in coordination with the Executive Director and JCC HR
• Collaborate with JCC HR to ensure accurate payroll information is provided for summer staff
• Convene and lead the Staff Advisory Council on an ongoing basis, ensuring consistent follow-through year-round
• Accountable for owning the planning and execution of General Staff Orientation, in partnership with the Executive Director 
• Develop and implement an annual staff communication and engagement plan to maximize staff engagement and retention, including social media posts, newsletters, in-person visits to nearby colleges, and staff focus groups

Staff Experience Responsibilities (Summer)

• Participate in the development and delivery of leadership staff orientation; create and deliver staff development programs throughout the summer
• Lead the preparation and presentation of pre-camp staff meetings and trainings
• Plan and implement staff activities (recreational, educational, mentorship) to enhance staff engagement, growth, and overall staff experience
• Facilitate and communicate staff housing assignments 
• Work with the Executive Director and SIT leadership team to develop SIT curriculum, accountable for making sure SIT experience is implemented successfully 
• Manage staff schedules (e.g., departure for planned absences) and coordinate days-off
• Ensure adequate staffing for all CSL programs, including Family Camps and rentals (other than Health Center staffing which is managed by the Health Center Director)

General Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the CSL management team, partnering closely with the Family Experience Manager and the Assistant Director of Programming & Logistics
• Participate in the creation and implementation of camp policy as needed
• Participate in annual summer wrap-up with the Executive Director to identify areas of strength and opportunity relating to staff and camper experience

QUALIFICATIONS

Key Competencies for Success:

• Confidence, leadership, and poise to appropriately manage the responsibility for the health and safety of campers, at all times during the camp season
• Sound judgment and composure in escalated camper behavioral or mental health situations
• Ability to lead, hire, supervise, motivate, and inspire young, energetic, and less experienced staff to help them find their strengths
• Experience designing and delivering staff training, orientation, or professional development programs
• Excellent interpersonal skills for communication and relationship building with the CSL team and JCC colleagues
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including staff, families, and campers
• Well organized and able to prioritize work, problem solve, and meet scheduled deadlines under pressure
• Self-motivated and able to work both independently and as a team member
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule with ability to live at camp during the summer and work evenings and weekends
• Interest in and/or a commitment to learning Jewish history, culture, and traditions in the context of the JCC and Camp Seneca Lake 

Education and Experience