Camp Programs Assistant Manager

Job Title: Discovery Overnight Camp Programs Assistant Manager

Departments: Camp Programs

Salary Range: $1,058 per week base rate, 10% increase for Spanish speakers

Dates of Employment/Start Date: April 1st, 2024 – August 30, 2024

Reports To: Camp Programs Manager

Housing Available: Depending on Availability

Location: Summit County, CO 80435

About Keystone Science School 

With the outdoors as a backdrop for learning, Keystone Science School inspires curiosity and critical thinking through the lens of science to change lives and strengthen communities. KSS offers a variety of adventure and traditional camp activities within a structured environment designed to allow each camper and participant to understand their potential. In all programs, campers and participants will create lifelong friendships, explore and learn about the natural world, and gain leadership and wilderness skills.  For more information go to keystonescienceschool.org 

With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with raised consciousness in order to impact how we work with clients, as well as how we work together as a team. 

Position Overview

The Seasonal Camp Programs Assistant Manager is a five-month position responsible for the successful implementation of Keystone Science School’s Camp Programs. The Camp Programs Assistant Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day camp operations and staff oversight with support from the Program Manager. Camp programs include but are not limited to Residential Summer Camp Programs, Summer Day Camp Programs, and Offseason Overnight, and Day Programs. The 2 Camp Programs Assistant Managers will each oversee 1 program area; either day camps or overnight camp. As part of the Camp Programs team, the Seasonal Camp Programs Assistant Manager will oversee logistics, develop curriculum, serve as points of contact to clients, collaborate with other administrative staff, support program needs as they arise, and assist in managing seasonal staff. This position will also provide oversight, mentorship, and management to program staff, which includes hiring, training, and coaching. 

Our tagline Science. Adventure. Fun! summarizes what we seek in our employees: passionate about our work, willing to seek adventure, and take risks to improve KSS, and able to laugh along the way. We work hard so we can play hard! 

Job Duties

• 20% Logistics and Planning
• 70% Staff Oversight 
• 10% Customer Service 

Logistics and Planning

• Work with Program Manager to develop and improve programming for all Camp programs; 
• Work with Program Manager to oversee, plan, and improve logistics and systems for Camp programs; 
• Manage employee time cards and hours;
• Maintain high standards of health and safety, and follow Risk Management policies in all Camp activities; 
• Drive a 15-passenger van and successfully complete Van Driver Training; 
• Support the Program Manager to manage the camp budget, including management of a credit card and oversight of other camp credit cards. 

Staff Oversight 

• Lead day-to-day camp operations ensuring that campers are having safe, life-changing camp experiences;
• Act as the bridge between seasonal staff and administrative staff to monitor Camp culture and strive to meet staff needs;
• Provide direct supervision and management to summer seasonal staff; including Program Coordinators and Lead Program Instructors;
• Support Program Manager to oversee program-specific staffing including interviewing, training, coaching, and feedback; 
• Act as afterhours “on-call” administrative staff to assist in emergencies on a rotating basis; 
• Support the Program Managers and Human Resources in the performance evaluation process for program staff. 
• Gather program feedback from seasonal staff;
• Work with Program Manager to schedule program staff and approve vacation and sick time requests as needed; 
• Develop and facilitate staff training with support from the Program Manager;

Customer Service 

• Serve as the Assistant Manager for specific programs, which includes serving as the point of contact for clients and other staff during a program; 
• Partner with the customer experience team to ensure client needs are properly met and communicated to the staff team and clients; 
• Maintain professional relationships with outside contractors and vendors;
• Communicate directly with guardians and other program leads to meet program goals.  

 Other duties as assigned. 

Professional Performance  

• Adhere to all Personnel Policies and Procedures for the organization.
• Maintain professional standards of performance, demeanor, and appearance at all times; act as a “role model” both at and away from the organization.
• Maintain a creative, team-building approach to job performance and seek to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasks.
• Perform all tasks and responsibilities with attention to detail and in a complete and timely manner, complying with organization policies and standards and conforming to the scheduling requirements of the job and program.
• Maintain an awareness of the organization’s mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodies.
• Exercise discretion and professional judgment at all times keeping with the responsibilities carried personally and by the organization for the care and welfare of the clients; act with honesty and integrity in all aspects of the organization’s business.
• Actively strive to upgrade professional skills through engaging in appropriate professional training and experience.
• Actively strive to create and maintain a culturally sensitive, justice-centered, and appropriate environment through communication and interaction that demonstrates respect for diversity, socio-economic and cultural differences and that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.

Other duties may be assigned

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – Minimum Requirements 

• Exceptional Leadership skills and ability to mentor program staff;
• An understanding of education pedagogy and curriculum, and the ability to adapt instruction and lessons to meet a wide variety of learners utilizing different educational philosophies; 
• Experience with risk management as it pertains to outdoor education; 
• Strong work ethic and will work until the job is complete;  
• Motivation to contribute positively to the KSS at-large community;  
• Multi-task efficiently while managing a high-volume workload in a fast-paced, changing environment;  
• Strong command of communication, writing, and organizational skills;  
• Effectively interact with people of diverse backgrounds and different levels of experience;  
• Ability to work in a variety of locations within Colorado and some work outside of Colorado;
• Ability to work in a busy environment with many distractions;  
• Superior customer service skills, with the ability to be creative and think ‘outside the box’;  
• Have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with children;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including days, nights, and weekends.

Required education, experience, and certifications: 

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree;  
• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR certifications, from an approved vendor, or the ability to obtain within the first 90 days of employment; 
• Minimum of  6 months experience managing staff;  
• Candidates will be asked to provide verification of the following: Must be at least 21 years of age. Must have 12 months (1820 hours) of verified leadership in an administrative or supervisory position with groups of children five years of age or older at an organized camp since attaining the age of 18 years. 
• Excellent driving record and a valid driver’s license; Candidates age 20+ with a minimum of 4 years driving experience will be required to participate in and pass Van Driver Training, and they will be required to drive a 15-passenger van; 
• Must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive background check. 

Preferred skills: 

• Experience teaching in outdoor education programs or camp programs;
• Ability to communicate verbally and teach in Spanish; 
• Previous Camp Experience in a leadership role;
• Previous experience as a staff member at Keystone Science School; 
• Experience teaching in a K-12 classroom;
• Experience facilitating rock climbing; 
• Experience facilitating tent-camping and backcountry education programs; 
• Proficiency with Google Drive and CampSite camp management software. 

Work Schedule

This is a full-time, seasonal position.  The typical work schedule will require a flexible schedule, including days, nights, and weekends. Before and after the summer (June – August), the Discovery Overnight Camp Assistant Manager should expect to work 40+ hours per week, typically 9am-5pm. During the summer the Discovery Overnight Camp Assistant Manager should expect to work 70+ hours a week including some evenings to support meetings and programming. 

Work Environment

This position requires the employee to work in close contact with their teammates.  The office space is small and the employee must have the ability to stay focused while others are working in close proximity.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but varies seasonally due to programs and staffing on campus.  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee while performing the essential functions of this job. 

This position may require traveling to off-site programming locations. In most situations, KSS will provide transportation to off-site programming locations. However, staff may be asked to use personal vehicles to travel within Summit County. Any travel mileage in personal vehicles outside Summit County may be reimbursed.

Salary

The salary for this position is $1058 per week base rate, 10% increase for Spanish speakers

Room and Board 

Keystone Science School may provide specified employees housing in Keystone Science School housing facilities to meet programmatic needs. Housing is not guaranteed for all employees and is dependent on housing availability.

KSS staff housing is in rustic cabins, some of which are over 100 years old. Employees can expect to have multiple roommates and tight living quarters as well as a shared kitchen, bathroom, laundry, shower, and common spaces. 

Housing is offered on a first-come-first-served basis according to housing availability at the time of the start date. The Housing fee is $100 – $250 per month depending on accommodation. 

Physical Requirements 

• Able to work a majority of the time outside at high altitude in varying conditions including uneven and slick terrain and unpredictable weather and situations. 

• Physically able to assist participants with recreation equipment during activities.

• Able to lift a minimum of 75 lbs. with assistance.

• Dexterity, auditory and visual acuity to operate computers and phones or mobile devices.

• Auditory and visual acuity to interact with guests, students, and/or clients on a daily basis.

• Able to successfully manage multiple, high-priority tasks in a fast-paced and often times crowded and noisy environment.