Unit Head

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF DENVER

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The JCC Ranch Camp is the Denver JCC’s overnight summer camp and a place to work during the summer. As a staff member, Ranch Camp will become your home away from home as you work to create a community where people can thrive. You’re a hero to your campers; you have the chance to do something you really care about and have a whole lot of fun doing it. Your experience as a staff member is just as important to us as our campers’ experience. We’re here to serve kids and make sure they are in the safest environment possible while having the time of their lives. All supervisory staff act as a team to support cabin staff. Our supervisory team is more than just a support structure. We want you to do what matters to you while you’re at camp. The Unit Head partners with the Camper Care team and works with a specific age range (Chalutzim (2nd – 4th graders), Metapsim (5th & 6th graders), Toshavim (7th & 8th graders), and Tiyulim (9th grade and above)) throughout the summer to ensure camper and staff needs are met daily. They work in conjunction with the camp administrative team, develop a unit identity, and directly supervise unit staff members, coaching them on managing campers’ struggles and behaviors. Responsibilities also include reviewing daily Camper Bunk Notes, planning and leading staff training, managing cabin dynamics, coordinating with program management for feedback and evaluations, and designing unit-based programming. Unit Heads are expected to be positive, resourceful, and approachable leaders. The Tiyulim Unit Head also takes a leadership role in preparing, outfitting, and supervising all trips programs. All staff must be able to attend staff orientations and be available to live at camp for the summer season, with a preference for working the entire summer but encouraging applications for at least 5 – 6 weeks.

Requirements

At least two years' experience working with children and/or teens in a formal or informal educational, recreational, or therapeutic setting
Bachelor’s degree or degree in progress or equivalent experience in a childcare setting
Valid driver’s license and ability to transport campers using company vehicles as needed
Strong oral and written communication skills - must be able to communicate efficiently with staff
Maturity and professionalism; must be able to work effectively with their counterparts, coach and support staff working with their campers, address needs of campers discretely, and maintain confidentiality in work with campers, staff, and parents
High-level organizational skills
Satisfactorily fulfill requirements for employment at the Staenberg-Loup JCC, including: background screening, three references, documentation, and compliance with CDHS law
Must be high-energy, enthusiastic, creative, and open-minded!
Ability to attend staff orientations and be available to live at camp for the summer season (at least 5 – 6 weeks of our summer season)

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a camp environment
First Aid and CPR Certifications

Responsibilities

Take care of staff and campers by prioritizing the physical, social, emotional health, safety, and well-being.
Work as a team with the supervisory team to make sure every day runs the way it’s supposed to by helping to lead meals, participating in all camp programming, supporting and maintaining cabin life, and providing coverage for cabin staff as needed.
Create a community that you want to be a part of and that you want campers to be a part of. Include everyone and make sure everyone is included.
Jump into the camp life: ride horses, swim, camp, play games, sing songs, roast s’mores, be ready to do everything the campers do!
Act as a resource and support staff as they manage camp behaviors using positive behavior management techniques, enforcing appropriate safety policies, emergency procedures, camp rules, and more.
Be flexible and adaptable because things change quickly at camp. You have to be able to roll with it.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned, such as making campers’ dreams come true or becoming a legendary Pokémon for an evening program.
Partner with the Camper Care team and work with a specific age range throughout the summer to ensure camper and staff needs are met daily.
Work in conjunction with camp administrative team to ensure camper needs are being met by communicating closely with camper care staff, camper leadership, and bunk/program staff.
Develop a unit identity to ensure each individual camper within their unit feels like a part of something greater than themselves.
Directly supervise unit staff members in their role as cabin counselors and help coach them responding to campers’ struggles and behaviors as they arise during the session.
Review daily Camper Bunk Notes (filled out by madrichim and collected daily) to track campers’ physical and emotional health, cabin social dynamics, and overall camper wellbeing.
Plan and lead staff training with Camper Care counterpart.
Manage and support positive staff and camper cabin dynamics within designated units.
Coordinate with program management team to regularly provide feedback to staff and facilitate the formal evaluation process with direct supervisees.
Design and implement unit-based programming that supports unit identity and community building regularly during the camp session.
Act as a positive, resourceful, and approachable leader for designated unit.
Take a leadership role in preparing, outfitting, and supervising all trips programs (Toshavim trips, TASC, Pack N’ Ride, and Teen Village) (for Tiyulim Unit Head).
Attend staff orientations and be available to live at camp for the summer season.