Camp Cherokee Personnel Director

YMCA; Blacksburg (SC); On-site; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Upper Palmetto YMCA operates Camp Cherokee, and this role supervises the summer camp staff while ensuring adherence to ACA and YMCA standards. You will oversee camper safety and well‑being, and communicate directly with parents by email or phone.

The position requires leadership, a strong sense of responsibility, and the ability to guide staff through training sessions and daily operations at Camp Cherokee.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or have completed at least two years of college.
• Certified in First Aid and CPR.
• Attend all pre-camp training, retreats, and opening training session.
• Possess leadership qualities and ability to use sound judgment.
• Good health, enthusiasm, maturity, and communication skills.
• Ability to supervise staff and ensure camper safety daily.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and manage summer camp staff, ensuring compliance with Camp Cherokee and the Upper Palmetto YMCA.
• Communicate staff responsibilities and expectations daily.
• Assist in staff training and teaching emergency action plans.
• Interact with staff and provide direction for non-compliant behavior.
• Communicate issues with camp leadership and directors.
• Observe and manage staff meetings and mid/end of season evaluations.
• Assist with opening/closing day, trips, and cabin assignments.
• Interact with campers daily and enforce camp rules.
• Maintain camper safety and respond to medical or behavioral concerns via parents.

Skills

Leadership qualities

Communication skills

Team leadership

Discipline and safety supervision

Education

Two years of college

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.