Assistant Camp Director | Behavioral Specialist | Washington, DC

DEAN Adventure Camps; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 53,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Paid training

Background check reimbursement

Referral bonus

Lunch and snacks

Employee discounts

Career growth

Job summary

DEAN Camps in Washington, DC is seeking an Assistant Site Director of Operations, Logistics & Behavior Support for a full-time, on-site summer role. You will oversee daily logistics, family communication, and behavioral coaching for 40+ staff across a busy camp environment.

You’ll partner with the Site Director to ensure safety, continuity, and high-quality participant experiences, while mentoring staff and maintaining DEAN’s culture of kindness and reliability.

Qualifications

• Experience leading summer camps or youth programs (200+ kids/week).
• Ability to coach and mentor 40+ seasonal staff.
• Strong communication with families and staff.
• Comfort in fast-paced, semi-structured environments.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily logistics and oversee supplies/inventory.
• Craft daily parent/family updates and maintain DEAN’s reputation for care.
• Lead behavioral support and coach staff with empathy and accountability.
• Model calm leadership and reinforce behavioral expectations.
• Maintain logs and early intervention for camper needs.
• Be visible and engaged during camp operations.
• Mentor team members to uphold DEAN’s culture of kindness.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Coaching staff

Conflict resolution

Communication

Adaptability

Organized

Detail-oriented

Mentoring

STEAM activities

Tools

Airtable

Slack

CampBrain

Job description

DC Assistant Site Director

Operation, Logistics, Behaviors

Who We Are

At DEAN Camps, we create life-changing opportunities for young people to discover their passions, explore endless possibilities, achieve meaningful goals, and navigate thrilling adventures, all while developing character and skills that last a lifetime.

Guided by our core values of Compassion, Trust, Growth, and Creativity, we foster an environment where learning, discovery, and personal development thrive. Our vision is to inspire generations of resilient, compassionate, and confident individuals who contribute positively to their communities and the world.

We operate across DC, MD, NJ, PA, and VA, offering all-inclusive programs that make summer exciting for children and easy for families. Learn more: DEAN Camps.

What Makes You a Great Fit

This job is ideal for experienced camp program directors, recreation directors, youth program leaders, and childcare professionals who excel in semi-structured, fast-paced, and high-energy environments.

• Leadership & Team Experience – At least 2 years working in summer camp leadership, education, recreation, or youth development, with programs serving 200+ children per week. You have supervised and mentored staff, resolved conflicts, and built team morale across a team of 40+.
  • Support, manage, and coach counselors, in tandem with the Site Director, throughout the day
  • Help identify performance concerns and provide real-time feedback, redirection, and support
  • Reinforce DEAN expectations, procedures, culture, and standards
  • Support the Site Director to delegate responsibilities and keep the team moving effectively
  • Support campers who need additional behavioral or emotional support
  • Program coverage when needed (transitions, lunch/recess, arrival, breaks, dismissal, or other areas based on daily needs)
• Organized, Detail-Oriented, & Process-Driven – You are experienced in managing scheduling and reporting systems (such as Airtable, Slack, and CampBrain) to ensure clear communication and visibility across the team.
• Adaptability & Quick Thinking – You thrive in fast-paced environments and solve challenges with ease, without waiting to be asked.
• Active Engagement & Dedication – You bring a positive, motivating approach and a strong dedication to supporting program participants and colleagues, ensuring everyone feels safe, engaged, and supported daily.
• Strong Communication – You lead with clarity, empathy, patience, intentionality, and collaboration. You accept feedback from supervisors well, using it as fuel for your professional growth.
• Excited to Learn & Lead Activities – You are adept at jumping into various hands-on activities during unforeseen circumstances/absences or team member breaks, including, but not limited to:
  • STEAM: innovation labs, woodworking, sewing, fiber arts, and cooking.
  • Creative Play: Engaging with our youngest campers (aged 4–5) in STEAM, baking, and dance movement.

What You’ll Do

As an Assistant Site Director of Operations, Logistics & Behavior Support, you’ll help ensure camp runs safely, smoothly, and with a strong sense of care. Partnering closely with the Site Director, you’ll oversee daily logistics, streamline systems, and provide steady leadership that fosters creativity, and skill-building for both campers and team members alike. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Manage camp operations by coordinating daily logistics, overseeing supplies and inventory, and supporting site setup and breakdown to maintain a safe, structured environment.
• Support family communication by helping craft daily updates, responding to parent inquiries, and maintaining DEAN’s reputation for care, consistency, and professionalism.
• Lead behavioral support by coaching 40+ seasonal team members through tough moments, identifying, de-escalating, and documenting camper incidents with empathy and consistency.
• Coach team members in real time, modeling calm leadership, reinforcing DEAN’s behavioral expectations, and promoting proactive strategies rooted in empathy and accountability.
• Document and communicate effectively by maintaining logs, collaborating on family updates, and ensuring early intervention for camper needs.
• Be visible and engaged throughout the camp day, supporting transitions, assisting with group activities, and stepping in wherever needed to ensure smooth operations.
• Foster DEAN’s culture of kindness and reliability by mentoring team members, addressing challenges constructively, and ensuring every camper and team member feels supported, included, and inspired.

Schedule and Requirements

• This is a full-time, on-site seasonal role from June 14th – August 13th
  • Hours: camp operates 7:30am–4pm
  • Ability to commute to: 3825 Wisconsin Ave, Washington, DC 20016
• Willingness to submit required health records to partner host sites prior to employment, in compliance with organizational and state health requirements.
• Physical capacity to lift up to 50 lbs, respond rapidly to safety emergencies, and maintain an active presence in dynamic outdoor and noisy environments under varied weather conditions, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Must have valid First Aid & CPR certification.

Perks and Benefits

• Pay range: $1,175-1,225 per week
• FLSA Status: This is a seasonal full-time, exempt position under the FLSA.
• Paid training: Pre-Summer remote training on: leadership, operations, and DEIB, plus in-person team and logistics training during the week of June 7th.
• All required background checks and certifications fully reimbursed.
• Referral Bonus: Earn $50 per hired referral, with no referral limits.

• Daily perks: Lunch, snacks, coffee, and parking + Monday breakfast

• Employee discounts on camp rates for family members, outdoor gear, art supplies, electronics, and more.

• Career growth: Gain resume-building experience, letters of recommendation, and networking opportunities.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

DEAN Camps is an equal employment opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Hiring decisions are based on job-related qualifications and business needs and are made without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.