Camp Cherokee Personnel Director

YMCA of Upper Palmetto; Blacksburg (SC); On-site; USD 25,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of Upper Palmetto is seeking a Camp Cherokee Personnel Director to supervise summer camp staff, ensure safety and adherence to standards, and maintain strong parent communication. The role focuses on leadership, training, and daily interaction with campers and staff.

The position requires energy for physically active days, the ability to manage multiple tasks, and the capacity to uphold the camp’s safety and welfare commitments for all participants.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or have completed at least two years of college.
• Must be certified in First Aid and CPR.
• Must attend all pre-camp training, retreats, and opening training session.
• Possess leadership qualities and ability to use sound judgment.
• Good health, enthusiasm, maturity, morale and communication skills.
• Must be able to endure hot temperatures, physical exertion and lift.
• Must be able to walk, run and swim daily.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and manage summer camp staff, ensuring compliance with Camp Cherokee and YMCA standards.
• Communicate staff responsibilities and expectations.
• Assist in staff training and teaching emergency action plans to staff.
• Interact with staff on a daily basis and provide guidance on discipline.
• Communicate issues to Personnel Staff, and Camp Directors.
• Assist in mid-season and end-of-season staff evaluations.
• Support staff morale and serve as a positive role model.
• Oversee camper well-being and safety, including daily camper interaction and cabin observation.
• Coordinate opening/closing day activities and parent communications by email/phone.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Decision making

Public speaking

Education

Two years of college

21+ years old

Tools

First Aid Certification

CPR Certification

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY: To supervise, correct and manage all personnel summer residential camp staff members. Ensure that all summer camp staff members are complying with the standards of Camp Cherokee, American Camp Association and the Upper Palmetto YMCA. Oversee the well-being and safety (physical and emotional) of summer campers at Camp Cherokee. Communicate directly with parents of campers via e-mail and phone calls.

• Supervise and manage summer camp staff, while ensuring their work complies with standards of Camp Cherokee and the Upper Palmetto YMCA.
• Communicate directly with summer camp staff members their job responsibilities and expectations.
• Assist in summer camp staff training sessions and teaching emergency action plans to staff members.
• Interact with staff members on a daily basis.
• Provide direction to staff members who are not following contractual obligations.
• Communicate any issues with the Personnel Staff team, the Executive Camp Director and Associate Resident Camp Director.
• Observe and manage regular area meetings alongside the Boy’s and Girl’s Camp Directors.
• Assist in the mid-season and end of season evaluations for all staff members.
• Creatively manage staff morale.
• Provide role-model behavior, leadership and guidance to younger staff members.
• Oversee the well-being and safety (physical and emotional) of all summer campers at Camp Cherokee.
• Interact and communicate with campers on a daily basis.
• Observe campers during cabin times and ensure that they are following camp rules.
• Using proper and appropriate discipline as needed.
• Communicate important camper issues with summer camp staff members.
• Provide creative surprises for campers as a reward for good behavior.
• Ensure that staff members are holding campers accountable for following rules.
• Communicate directly with parents of campers via e-mail and/or phone call.
• Conduct mass e-mails to parents the week prior to their camper coming to Cherokee. The e-mail should include cabin assignment information.
• Communicate directly with parents any medical or other issues with their camper (behavior, homesickness, etc.).
• Check e-mails and voicemails daily, respond to the parents concerning their camper(s).
• Greet and accommodate parents on Opening and Closing Day.
• Assist other program staff when needed.
• Opening/ Closing Day Responsibilities
• Assist Evening Program Director
• Plan and supervise campers and staff during “bridge” sessions.
• Assist in “OD” Responsibilities.
• Assist with supervision during off site trips.
• Generate cabin assignments for each summer camp session.
• Communicate with parents via e-mail and phone calls, including mass emails a week before each session.
• Be eligible to drive a vehicle from the Upper Palmetto YMCA.
• Additional responsibilities as directed by the camp director team.

Qualifications:

• Must be 21 years of age or have completed at least two years of college.
• Must be certified in First Aid and CPR.
• Must attend all pre-camp training, retreats, and opening training session.
• Possess leadership qualities and ability to use sound judgment.
• Good health, enthusiasm, individual maturity, moral character, team qualities, and communication skills.
• Possess interest in the development of children.
• Must be able to endure hot temperatures, physical exertion, manual labor, behavioral conflicts, and must be able to walk, run, and swim every day.
• Physical requirements of the Personnel Director at Camp Cherokee include endurance during prolonged activities, bending, stooping and lifting. Other physical aspects include the ability to observe, supervise and manage large groups of people (campers and staff) and to create a positive and learning environment.