New York Seasonal Jobs

Job Title: Specialty Teacher - New Country Day Camp

Division - Department: 14th Street Y – Youth Programs – New Country Day Camp

Job Classification (FLSA): Non-Union – PT/FT (Part-time during pre-camp in May-June, and full-time during camp program in June-August)

Date: February 2022

New Country Day Camp is an open-tent community that celebrates and sustains joyful, outdoor summer experiences where all can thrive. We build meaningful connections with ourselves, each other, and the natural world around us through innovative programming that is rooted in Jewish tradition and guided by universal values. New Country Day Camp is an 8-week, outdoor summer camp for campers in kindergarten-8th grade. NCDC operates M-F, 8am-5pm and provides transportation for staff and campers to and from our campgrounds on Staten Island via multiple locations throughout Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. We have an inclusive camp model, so all campers and staff with disabilities/special needs are given the individual support they need to have a successful summer.

NCDC is a part of the Educational Alliance, a 133-year-old New York institution, is a vibrant, dynamic organization serving New Yorkers from all walks of life. We serve everyone regardless of the language they speak, where they come from, or their socioeconomic status. We believe that everyone should have a chance to live a better life and that arts and culture, education, health and wellness, and social services can help lay that foundation.

JOB PURPOSE

Program Specialists are responsible for creating and implementing high-quality programming for New Country Day Camp. We are currently hiring for the following Program Specialist positions: Art, Build, Cooking, Imagination, Movement, Music, News, Sports, Theater, and Wilderness & Garden.

Program Specialists are passionate about teaching their area of expertise in an informal, outdoor, educational setting.

SCOPE OF INFLUENCE

• Direct client group: Campers ages 4-13

• Directly supervises: Instructional team of Camp Counselors

• Directly supervised by Program Director

• Collaborates with fellow Program Specialists and Program Coordinator

• Mentors 1-2 Counselors-in-Training (14-15 year old staff)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Program Management

• Incorporate NCDC values and seasonal themes rooted in Jewish sensibilities into programming

• Submit lesson plans in pre-camp months to supervisor and consultants

• Develop and execute 35-minute activities for groups of 30 campers at a time grouped by age and inclusive of varying needs and abilities

• Develop and execute week-long, progressive and comprehensive programs for afternoon elective time for 10-40 kids at a time for campers in 4th-6th grades inclusive of varying needs and abilities

• Assist in creating and implementing activities for Kindergarteners and 1st Graders for their independent playtime

• Participate in weekly Shabbat celebrations

• Be actively involved in the development and implementation of NCDC Maccabi Games

• Develop rainy day programming and family day activities over the summer

Logistics

• Supervise campers and staff on a camp bus, riding the bus to and from camp, interacting with caregivers at drop-off and pick-up, conducting camper check-in and check-out on camp’s attendence database.

• Be responsible for overall cleanliness and organization of program spaces and supplies, including adhering to all COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures

• Work with Operations Manager and Program Coordinator to order supplies for program units, as well as maintaining an organized inventory and balanced budget

• Assist campers and counselors in pool changing rooms, lunch service, and other non-program spaces when necessary

• Exhibit and maintain strong time management capabilities

• Actively participate in NCDC’s sustainability and waste management efforts

• Submit weekly elective programming written/photo content to Communications team for camp blog content

• Communicate/consult as needed with Division Supervisors and Support Supervisors regarding camper needs and concerns

• Provide additional support for counselors and campers outside of lesson time as needed and assigned, particularly on days when it is rainy and/or counselors are absent

Leadership and Supervision:

• Supervise one or more Counselors-in-Training who are assigned to work as assistants in your program

• Model professional behavior for campers and other staff at all times

• Attend required days of orientation and training, camp, and staff meetings during the camp season

• Proactively solve problems and motivate colleagues as difficult moments present themselves throughout the camp season; encourage flexibility and understanding as means to achieve common goals

• Establish and promote a commitment to the mission and vision of New Country Day Camp

• Develop clear roles for counselors during programming, with special attention paid to afternoon programming during elective periods

• Conduct daily check-ins with direct supervisee(s) and attend a weekly check-in with supervisor, consultants, and colleagues

• Learn and implement NCDC’s restorative approach to supervision and behavior management

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• 3+ years of experience working with elementary school-age children

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required

• Professional-level experience in their field of expertise

• Previous experience as a supervisor or mentor preferred

• Excellent organizational and oral communication skills

• Ability to interact with children and colleagues of diverse cultural and social backgrounds

• Fast learner with ability to work independently and collaboratively

Role Key Competencies

• Creativity

• Classroom Management

• Teamwork

• Leadership

• Patience

• Flexibility

• Delegation

EEO Info

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status. Educational Alliance takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Below, find descriptions of each Program. These are suggestions based on successful activities from previous summers, but Program Supervisors are encouraged to draw on their individual skills and experiences in their subject area to create programming.

• Art – Guide campers in creative art projects including painting and drawing, textile, clay and wood sculpture, etc.

• Build – Design and provide safe instruction for small woodworking projects, including the use of hand tools and power tools (as appropriate by camper age).

• Cooking - Teach about food and cooking, instruct in kitchen skills, and lead short cooking and food preparation activities. (Note, cooking activities take place outdoors using portable cooktops)

• Imagination - Guide campers through the creation and play of role-playing games.

• Movement - A broad range of physical activities including dance, gymnastics, trampoline, yoga, and more.

• Music - Lead music activities that include collaborative songwriting and performance with campers, giving basic instruction on camp’s band instruments (electronic keyboard, drum kit, guitars, hand percussion).

• News – Lead journalism, creative writing, and photography activities, and oversee the creation of a camp newsletter that is distributed to families.

• Theater – Lead activities including scripted acting, improvisation, playwriting, puppetry, choreography, circus arts and more. Oversee the creation of camper performances for special events like Shabbat celebrations and Maccabi games.

• Sports – Lead large team games and individual sports and events ranging from soccer, kickball, and ultimate frisbee, to jump rope and hoop, track and field, and tennis.

• Wilderness & Garden - Lead hikes and other wilderness activities in our forests, and lead activities in the vegetable and herb garden. This role will also be involved in planning the garden, with the option to participate in preparation and planting during spring of 2022.