JCC Day Camp Director

ABOUT THE JCC EAST BAY

The JCC East Bay values hachnasat orchim (providing a welcoming home) for people of all ages and life stages. Inspired by Jewish values, culture, and tradition, we build relationships, foster learning, and offer accessible pathways to Jewish life through programs for all stages of life and for all age groups. After decades of operating our suite of programs in North Berkeley, we recently moved our home for East Bay Jewish life to the East Bay Jewish Community Campus in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland. As part of this move, we are dramatically expanding our programming and activities to spark creativity, nurture identity, and weave together diverse generations, cultures, and organizations—including voices from across global Jewry—into a living tapestry of culture, learning, and kehilla (community) connections. Our flagship campus in the Rockridge neighborhood houses our administrative offices and our award-winning preschool, and while our afterschool programs continue to operate in Berkeley and in several Oakland public schools.

POSITION SUMMARY

This is a full-time, year-round position. The JCC East Bay offers day camps during school breaks and summer camps during summer break. The Camp Director reports to the Chief Jewish Education Officer (CJEO) and is responsible for fostering and maintaining a positive environment for all staff and families (up to 100 children in TK-6th grades). The Camp Director will follow JCC policies and procedures and ACA licensing standards to provide a nurturing and safe environment. This role supervises a team of camp counselors, runs winter, spring and summer camps, and helps to push forward the vision and mission of the JCC East Bay.

Programming

• Guide vision, strategy, and implementation of JCC camps, ensuring Jewish values and cultural opportunities are incorporated.
• Work closely with programmatic partners to implement and engage their approach and content into the camps.
• Create weekly schedule for each group and specialist.
• Develop weekly all-camp programs and Shabbat celebrations.
• Work with camp specialists and counselors to ensure the weekly curriculum is developed and implemented.
• Lead and direct children in large group settings.
• Coordinate field trips, including transportation, admissions, and staffing

Staff Management

• Participate in hiring, supervision, and evaluation of all camp counselors and specialists.
• Develop pre-camp staff training and ongoing training throughout the year to develop and implement camp activities and engage campers through a Jewish lens.
• Work with the Hebrew immersive director to implement curriculum, train staff and maintain the program at the summer camp in the best way possible.
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels; coordinate breaks, float counselors, substitutes.
• Work with staff to set goals and to understand their program expectations and job responsibilities.
• Observe groups and help teachers resolve problems and identify ways to enhance the camper experience.
• Determine and implement camper discipline and behavior management.

Parent Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with parents
• Schedule and conduct information sessions for incoming families.
• Maintain communication about behavioral challenges and any concerns the camp has.
• Participate in opportunities for parent community programs.
• Send weekly updates about camp activities.

General

• Love and appreciation for Jewish day camp and developing meaningful bonds with campers and staff
• Ability to perform at a high level in a fast-paced team environment, and handle and manage multiple projects to meet timelines and deadlines.
• Proactive behavior with leadership and consensus building skills.

• Goal-orientated and pays close attention to detail.
• Commitment to the mission of the JCC East Bay and knowledge of or commitment to learning about the Jewish community, values, and traditions.
• Other duties as determined by the Chief Jewish Education Officer

Administrative

• Work collaboratively with the CJEO to oversee and update annual budget, monthly variance reports, and recruitment tactics.
• Develop and administer policies and procedures.
• Create and maintain emergency binders, attendance sheets, master rosters, groupings, and allergy lists.
• Work with Marketing Manager to develop recruitment and evaluation tools.
• Provide quality photos and text to the Marketing Manager for weekly camp newsletter.
• Support marketing develop and maintain daily social media engagement.
• Confirm sufficient supply and food inventory.
• Coordinate with any outside vendors (specialists, transportation, swimming pool, shows, food service, etc.).

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 3 years of child care or teaching experience.
• 2-4 years of summer camp management and/or program development experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of Jewish life and culture preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; able to motivate small but mighty teams.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications.
• Commitment to the mission of the JCC East Bay.
• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time while adhering to the needs of children grades K-5; ability to respond without delay to needs of young children.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.

The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $80,000 annually. This is a full-time onsite role. Excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, vacation, sick pay, and holidays (including Jewish). This position is not represented by the union.

The JCC East Bay is an Equal Opportunity Employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. JCC East Bay policy prohibits unlawful discrimination in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. The JCC East Bay complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require particular accommodations during the application and interview process, please inform us of your needs so that we can provide accordingly.

Systemic inequities in hiring have caused women, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, and others to apply to jobs only if they meet all of the qualifications. The JCC East Bay encourages you to apply anyway, as no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. We look forward to your application.