Assistant Camp Director - Southold, NY

Cornell University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 8,300 - 9,900; Full time

Job summary

Cornell Cooperative Extension seeks a Camp Director-in-training to oversee camper well-being and staff operations on-site in a board-certified program. You will lead problem-solving for camper emotional health, supervise Unit Coordinators and the CIT Coordinator, and assist with staff hiring, training, and evaluation.

Responsibilities include ensuring safe camp management, coordinating with the Camp Director, and maintaining health and safety standards across all activities and daily routines.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 25 years old or have a Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum 24 weeks of admin or supervisory camping experience.
• Ability to meet acceptable background check standards, if required.
• Must be able to live on site.
• Ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Lead unit staff guidance and communication, including conducting staff meetings, directing staff evaluation processes, implementing performance improvement strategies as needed, and recognizing outstanding performance.
• Direct program staff to seek continuous improvement and achieve excellence.
• Direct and communicate regularly with the Unit Coordinators and CIT Coordinators to identify strengths, concerns, possible solutions, and new program ideas.
• In consultation with Camp Director, take corrective actions to reduce risks and ensure safe camp management.
• Communicate daily with Unit Coordinators and CIT Coordinator to proactively identify and address areas of concern regarding camper health, emotional well-being, and safety; identify and implement strategies to address these concerns for campers, parents, and staff.
• Supervise, direct and evaluate Unit Coordinators and CIT Coordinator.
• Ensure compliance with all camp policies and procedures that protect camper and staff health and safety.
• Support high health and safety standards in all programs, activities, and daily routines.
• Support a community-oriented camp culture that emphasizes acceptance, cooperation, and empathy.
• Ensure staff documents critical incidents through CIMRs (Concern, Incident, and Medical Report).
• Manage post-incidents in consultation with the Program Director workgroup, including resolution with the camper(s) and staff, incident debriefing, and updating policies and procedures resulting from the incident.
• Manage evaluation processes for staff performance, program and youth development outcomes, and camper satisfaction.
• Promote strategies for creating safe, healthy, and supportive environments for campers and how to work with campers experiencing homesickness, conflict, and special needs.
• Serve as the primary contact between camp and parents whenever an incident involving a camper that counselors or coordinators cannot resolve.
• Serve as Camp Director if he or she is absent from camp.
• Implement health and safety guidelines and procedures described in the camp safety plan approved by the Suffolk County Department of Health.
• In consultation with Camp Director, take corrective actions to reduce risks and ensure safe camp management.
• Promote strategies for creating safe, healthy, and supportive environments for campers and how to work with campers experiencing homesickness, conflict, and special needs.
• Serve as the primary contact between camp and parents whenever an incident involving a camper that counselors or coordinators cannot resolve.
• Serve as Camp Director if he or she is absent from camp.

Skills

Staff supervision

Conflict resolution

Program coordination

Staff training

Flexible hours

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Driver's license

Job description

Responsible for camper well-being and successful adjustment to camp. Support a community-oriented camp culture that emphasizes acceptance, cooperation, and empathy. Lead problem-solving and conflict-resolution processes that effectively address campers’ emotional well-being, health, and behavioral issues. Supervise Unit Coordinators and CIT Coordinator. Assist with staff selection, training, and evaluation. Supervised by Camp Director and serves as Camp Director in his/her absence.

Required Qualifications:

- Must be at least 25 years old or have a Bachelor’s degree to comply with NYS Department of Health regulations.

- Must have at least 24 weeks of administrative or supervisory experience in camping or related experience

- Ability to meet acceptable background check standards, if required.

- Must be able to live on site.

- Ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.

- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications:

- College degree or course work in education, youth development, outdoor recreation, physical education, or a related field.

- Valid driver’s license

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction - 45%

- Lead unit staff guidance and communication, including conducting staff meetings, directing staff evaluation processes, implementing performance improvement strategies as needed, and recognizing outstanding performance.

- Direct program staff to seek continuous improvement and achieve excellence.

- Direct and communicate regularly with the Unit Coordinators and CIT Coordinators to identify strengths, concerns, possible solutions, and new program ideas.

- In consultation with Camp Director, take corrective actions to reduce risks and ensure safe camp management.

Management - 45%

- Communicate daily with Unit Coordinators and CIT Coordinator to proactively identify and address areas of concern regarding camper health, emotional well-being, and safety; identify and implement strategies to address these concerns for campers, parents, and staff.

- Supervise, direct and evaluate Unit Coordinators and CIT Coordinator.

- Ensure compliance with all camp policies and procedures that protect camper and staff health and safety.

- Support high health and safety standards in all programs, activities, and daily routines.

- Support a community-oriented camp culture that emphasizes acceptance, cooperation, and empathy.

- Ensure staff documents critical incidents through CIMRs (Concern, Incident, and Medical Report).

- Manage post-incidents in consultation with the Program Director workgroup, including resolution with the camper(s) and staff, incident debriefing, and updating policies and procedures resulting from the incident.

- Manage evaluation processes for staff performance, program and youth development outcomes, and camper satisfaction.

- Promote strategies for creating safe, healthy, and supportive environments for campers and how to work with campers experiencing homesickness, conflict, and special needs.

- Serve as the primary contact between camp and parents whenever an incident involving a camper that counselors or coordinators cannot resolve.

- Serve as Camp Director if he or she is absent from camp.

- Implement health and safety guidelines and procedures described in the camp safety plan approved by the Suffolk County Department of Health.

- In consultation with Camp Director, take corrective actions to reduce risks and ensure safe camp management.

- Promote strategies for creating safe, healthy, and supportive environments for campers and how to work with campers experiencing homesickness, conflict, and special needs.

- Serve as the primary contact between camp and parents whenever an incident involving a camper that counselors or coordinators cannot resolve.

- Serve as Camp Director if he or she is absent from camp.

Coordination/Operation - 5%

- As needed, assist with weekly camper arrival and departure processes, camper orientation, and other functions.

- Assist with staff training during pre-service orientation.

Professional Improvement - 5%

- In cooperation with Supervisor and Executive Director, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan to increase competencies relative to position accountabilities and address changes and Association priorities.

- Collaborate in activities that generally support Cornell Cooperative Extension and perform other duties as assigned.

Health and Safety - Applied to all duties and functions

- Support the Association to maintain a safe working environment.

- Be familiar with and follow applicable federal, state, and local regulations, Association health and safety policy/procedure/requirement, and standards.

- Act proactively to prevent accidents/injuries and communicate hazards to supervisors when identified.

POSITION DETAILS:

Salary: $8,250 to $9,900 per season

Schedule:EXEMPT - Reg: 40 Hours per week

No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available