Animation Instructor, Camp Kaleidoscope, Summer Day Camp

JCC Greater Boston; Newton (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fitness Center Access

Discounts for camp employees' children

Job summary

JCC Greater Boston is seeking enthusiastic art and media instructors to teach animation and cartooning to children entering grades 4–8 this summer at Camp Kaleidoscope in Newton. This hourly role offers engaging activities, a supportive in-person team, and a starting pay rate of $18 per hour.

You will lead hands-on projects in paper, digital, or stop-motion animation, foster creativity, ensure camper safety, and contribute to a lively, inclusive camp culture that helps kids build confidence.

Qualifications

• High school degree preferred.
• College degree or equivalent experience in the specialty area preferred.
• 1+ season instructor experience planning and leading drawing, animation or video and media projects for children.
• Portfolio or examples of projects preferred.
• Customer service experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and lead age-appropriate activities in your specialty area.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of campers during activities.
• Create a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment that encourages skill-building and exploration.
• Work with counselors and camp leadership to provide a cohesive camper experience.
• Maintain, organize, and request necessary supplies and equipment.
• Adapt activities to meet diverse camper needs and abilities.
• Support camp-wide events and large-group programming as assigned.
• Assist with overall camp operations (drop-off/pick-up, transitions, lunch, supervision).

Skills

Enjoy working with children

Passion for art/animation

Ability to plan engaging activities

Group management

Communication & teamwork

Safety awareness

Creativity & flexibility

Positive attitude

Problem-solving

Self-starter

Collaborative mindset

Diplomacy under pressure

Commitment to camper relationships

Education

High school degree preferred

College degree or equivalent experience in specialty area preferred

Job description

Be a role model. Share your passion!Share your love of film, video, animation, comics, cartooning and other multi-media by teaching animation & cartooning classes for children entering grades 4 - 8 this summer. Camp Kaleidoscope, the JCC summer day camp in Newton, draws creative campers interested in the arts, science and the outdoors. Camp Counselors and activity specialists guide campers in drama, art, science, sports, swimming and much more as they develop and build self-confidence. The energy of the camp is lively, playful and warm, as both campers and staff develop lifelong friendships.

Be a role model. Share your passion!Share your love of film, video, animation, comics, cartooning and other multi-media by teaching animation & cartooning classes for children entering grades 4 - 8 this summer. Camp Kaleidoscope, the JCC summer day camp in Newton, draws creative campers interested in the arts, science and the outdoors. Camp Counselors and activity specialists guide campers in drama, art, science, sports, swimming and much more as they develop and build self-confidence. The energy of the camp is lively, playful and warm, as both campers and staff develop lifelong friendships.

Be a role model. Share your passion!Share your love of film, video, animation, comics, cartooning and other multi-media by teaching animation & cartooning classes for children entering grades 4 - 8 this summer. Camp Kaleidoscope, the JCC summer day camp in Newton, draws creative campers interested in the arts, science and the outdoors. Camp Counselors and activity specialists guide campers in drama, art, science, sports, swimming and much more as they develop and build self-confidence. The energy of the camp is lively, playful and warm, as both campers and staff develop lifelong friendships. JCC Greater Boston offers free bus service for staff from Cambridge, Brookline, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Wayland, Framingham, Natick, Needham, Newton and Wellesley during the summer season.

What you will do each day:

Each day, you'll bring art to life, inspiring campers, empowered them with new skills, sparking their creativity, and contributing to a colorful and vibrant camp culture. You'll lead hands-on art activities and help campers explore projects in animation, whether it be on paper, digital, stop motion or beyond! Beyond your specialty, you'll also be part of the camp team: helping with transitions, supporting special events, and ensuring campers feel included and connected.

Why work with us?

At our camps, the best part of the day is simple: the campers. Our staff say their favorite moments are playing games, cheering campers on at swim, creating art together, and bonding over shared interests. Staff describe camp as fun, dynamic, and inclusive. Here, you'll gain leadership skills, make lasting friendships, and create unforgettable experiences - for campers and yourself.

This is what our staff say are the best parts of working at JCC Camps:

• Bonding with the campers
• The activities
• Free swim
• Leadership opportunities
• Making close friends with co-counselors and camp staff

Primary responsibilities include, and are not limited to:

• Plan, prepare, and lead age-appropriate activities in your specialty area
• Ensure the safety and well-being of campers during activities
• Create a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment that encourages skill-building and exploration
• Work in partnership with counselors and camp leadership to provide a cohesive, positive camper experience
• Maintain, organize, and request necessary supplies and equipment
• Adapt activities to meet the needs and abilities of diverse campers
• Support camp-wide special events and large-group programming as assigned
• Assist with overall camp operations as needed (drop-off/pick-up, transitions, lunch, supervision, etc.)

Standard staff expectations include and are not limited to:

• Actively create a welcoming dynamic that contributes to an environment where each individual is valued and respected
• Actively participate as an essential team member
• Support JCC Greater Boston's mission, vision, and values of belonging, joyfulness, collaboration, and transformation, including through role modeling
• Enthusiastically representing the organization, model excellence and achievement
• Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

This is a great chance to join JCC Greater Boston's respected and valued, people-orientated workplace of diverse community services providers, which is rapidly growing!

JOB DETAILS: This is an hourly position with a daily schedule of 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday. Offering great perks, including JCC Health & Fitness center access, a supportive, vibrant in-person work environment, and a competitive starting pay rate of $18 per hour. The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.

About JCC Greater Boston

Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, diverse community by nurturing meaningful, lasting relationships. Through our network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs, health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes, JCC Greater Boston provides highly valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends.

JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where their talents and contributions are appreciated. In our recent employee survey, staff rated their direct management and organizational alignment experiences close to 90% positive. If you want to upgrade your working experience and have a better work-life balance, we encourage you to explore becoming part of the JCC team!

The JCC is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston's core values: Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation, which we hope resonate with all.

To learn more about what makes JCC Greater Boston a wonderful place to work, please visit our careers page at https://www.bostonjcc.org/careers/

JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• High school degree preferred
• College degree, concentration, certification, or equivalent experience in specialty area preferred
• 1+ season (summer camp, semester, other) instructor experience planning and leading drawing, animation or video and media related projects for children
• Portfolio or examples of projects preferred
• Customer service experience preferred
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC's discretion to meet minimum criteria.

Skills and Abilities:

• Genuine enjoyment of working with children and helping them grow
• Passion and expertise in your specialty area (arts, sports, music, cooking, science, etc.)
• Ability to plan and lead age-appropriate, engaging, and inclusive activities
• Excellent group management skills
• Strong communication, teamwork, and collaboration skills with campers and staff
• Safety awareness and ability to manage risks during activities
• Creativity, flexibility and patience to adapt activities for diverse camper needs
• Positive, energetic attitude and commitment to fostering an inclusive, joyful camp environment
• Proactive problem-solving and willingness to ask for guidance when needed
• Self-starter who takes the initiative
• Must be able to work well with others, building/sustaining collaborative solid relationships
• Ability to manage situations effectively and diplomatically and ask for help, guidance, or clarification when needed
• Commitment to build strong relationships with campers, co-workers, and camp leadership

Physical Requirements:

• Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities
• Ability to work in variety of weather conditions for extended periods of time in case of rain, heat, humidity, cold, or other environmental factors to ensure the supervision and safety of campers in our care.
• Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30-40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children's backpacks, etc.
• Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly.

ADA Statement:

Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Benefits

In addition to offering rewarding work and great career opportunities within our mission-driven, values-driven, and family-centric environment, JCC Greater Boston proudly offers employees the generous benefits listed below.

JCCGB Perks! Each seasonal employee is eligible for access to JCC Greater Boston's top class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton! Seasonal access to the JCC Fitness Center includes:

• Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal-Sidman JCC during active seasonal employment
• Free or discounted enrollment for camp programs may be available for camp employees' children based on availability

Benefits are subject to review and change by the Organization, and plan documents are the primary determinant.

A Great Place to Work!

JCC Greater Boston is consciously evolving as a great place to work! In our recent 2023 employee engagement survey, at least 88% of our staff gave us top ratings on:

• Supportive colleagues
• Team camaraderie
• How their managers treat them
• Individual autonomy
• Knowing what their work contributes to and how it impacts others
• Pride in working for the JCC
• Program and service quality
• Holding ourselves accountable

Our staff and leadership bring experience, excellence, and commitment to everything we offer and we are dedicated to a culture where all our employees may thrive. Our culture is built on our values, driven by our mission, and nurtured through the expert contributions of our professionals.