Camp Hoover Director

THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER COLUMBUS • Blendon Township, OH

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Camp Hoover Director leads all aspects of the summer experience at Camp Hoover, the JCC's outdoor day camp featuring waterfront and pool programming, ropes, archery, and traditional camp adventure. This position is responsible for camper wellbeing, staff development, program quality, and site readiness throughout the summer season. As a member of the camp leadership team, the Director also serves in year-round capacities alongside colleagues in the Children and Camp Services department, including camper recruitment and retention, family engagement, staff hiring, and support of school-year programming such as JClub Afterschool, School's Out Days, and Parent's Night Out.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred in education, recreation, social work, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Familiarity with American Camp Association (ACA) standards and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) licensing requirements, or willingness to learn them quickly.
• Two to five years of leadership experience at a day or overnight camp, such as assistant director, unit head, program director, or a comparable supervisory role.
• Demonstrated success supervising, training, and developing seasonal staff.
• Strong judgment in camper behavior management, risk management, and emergency response.
• Excellent communication skills with parents, staff, colleagues, and community partners.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage schedules, logistics, and competing priorities during a fast-paced season.
• Comfort with Jewish culture, holidays, and values, and enthusiasm for bringing them to life in a camp setting.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain before the start of the summer season.
• Proficiency with standard office technology and registration or camp management software.
• Successful completion of a background check required.

Responsibilities

• Know the individual needs of every camper, including health conditions and allergies, and ensure staff are educated and prepared to support them.
• Communicate with camper families in a professional and timely manner regarding injuries, concerns, and questions.
• Support counselors in managing camper behavior and provide fair, consistent consequences and disciplinary follow through.
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new and returning summer staff, and contribute to hiring and termination decisions.
• Develop and lead staff orientation and in-season training that prepares each team member to lead successfully and grow professionally.
• Maintain supportive, professional relationships with staff and respond to individual needs throughout the summer.
• Provide ongoing coaching and guidance to counselors and conduct formal performance reviews at midsummer and at the close of the season.
• Maintain Camp Hoover staff attendance, schedules, and timecards.
• Model and implement the Jewish values reflected in the Camp mission.
• Design creative, thoughtfully planned programming that challenges and excites campers while teaching new skills.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of all summer program schedules to ensure smooth daily operations.
• Ensure program staff have the guidance, training, and skills needed to create and deliver engaging programs.
• Oversee certifications for ropes and archery staff.
• Ensure safety procedures for every program area are taught and upheld all summer.
• Partner with the Aquatics Department to schedule lifeguards for pool and waterfront activities.
• Conduct an annual review of ACA and DCY standards and ensure full implementation.
• Collaborate with the Director of JCC Camps and the Facilities Manager on ongoing maintenance and capital needs, and submit work orders as needed.
• Work with the Aquatics Department to ensure the pool and waterfront are properly prepared, maintained, and closed from the start to the end of summer.
• Ensure grounds and facilities remain clean, safe, and well maintained throughout the season.
• Create and sustain a strong, positive Camp presence in the community to attract new families, retain returning families, and meet annual registration goals.
• Coordinate with the Director of JCC Camps and the Marketing Department on camper recruitment, including camp fairs, community events, synagogue and school presentations, and marketing materials.
• Develop new ways to keep current campers and families engaged during the school year.
• Participate in the planning and delivery of JClub Afterschool, School's Out Days, Parent's Night Out, and other Children's Department programming.
• Position includes occasional weekend engagement, including but not limited to camp fairs, Hoover family days, seasonal rentals, and family programs.

Benefits

• health coverage
• retirement plan
• paid time off
• Complimentary JCC membership
• Professional development opportunities, including conferences and training through the camp and Jewish communal network.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager