Camp Deeny Riback Assistant Director

JCC MetroWest; West Orange (NJ); On-site; USD 64,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Gym membership

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Camp Deeny Riback, a program of JCC MetroWest, seeks an Assistant Director to lead staffing, assist camper recruitment, and support program design. The role requires coordinating staff onboarding, training, and international staff logistics while working closely with the Camp Director to ensure smooth daily operations in a Jewish day camp setting in New Jersey.

The position runs full‑time May–August and 30 hours/week September–April, with a compensation range of $64,000–$68,000 per year and a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, recreation, or related field required.
• 5-7 years’ camping staff experience preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and hire seasonal staff including new hires and prior staff.
• Oversee international staff travel and logistics.
• Deliver staff orientation and training workshops.
• Supervise leadership team and lead daily leadership meetings.
• Assist in camper recruitment, engagement and program design.
• Manage camp operations within budget and payroll during summer.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Program management

Team leadership

Training delivery

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Youth development understanding

Flexibility evenings/weekends

Humor

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education, recreation, or related field

5-7 years’ camping staff experience

Tools

Campminder

Microsoft Suite

Job description

CDR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Camp Deeny Riback (CDR), a day camp located in Flanders, NJ run by the JCC MetroWest, is seeking an Assistant Director. The position is full time from May through August and 30 hours per week from September through April. CDR provides opportunities for campers, families, and staff to connect and grow through summer experiences that are created through a Jewish lens allowing connection to Jewish values, traditions, and a love for the State of Israel while teaching important values and life skills.

The Assistant Director works directly with the Camp Director and is instrumental in the successful day-to-day management of CDR. CDR serves about 500 campers ages 3 years to entering 10th grade with an infrastructure of 200+ seasonal staff members. The Assistant Director takes the lead on staff hiring, while assisting the Camp Director on camper recruitment and engagement as well as program design and implementation.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Staffing Strategy & Recruitment

• Work with Director to review and update staffing model yearly to best serve camp and consider any program changes that would affect staffing needs and reflect in budget.
• Recruit and hire seasonal staff members, including both new hires and staff from prior summer(s).
• Maintain communication with international staff throughout the year.
• Work with Human Resources and onboarding team to ensure all staff are properly onboarded, all forms have been completed, and all eligible staff have been background checked.
• Oversee all international staff travel and logistics.

Staff Training, Supervision & Development

• Support the Director in building an intentional and robust staff orientation week, in addition to other applicable training efforts, including planning and delivering training sessions.
• Run meetings and ongoing training workshops for counselors and other groups of staff.
• Work with Camp Director to supervise leadership team and engage with them throughout the year, including but not limited to jointly leading daily meetings for leadership team.
• Participate in any staffing issues as they arise; submit proper documentation to human resources.
• Support unit leaders as needed.

Camp Operations & Administration

• Support the running of a complex framework of operational systems including medical provision, food service, facility maintenance, and office administration.
• Manage spending to ensure within the budget.
• Assist in processing payroll during the summer season.
• Assist in the proper opening and closing of camp’s physical property.
• Maintain a physical daily presence in and around all areas of camp.
• Assist in the office as needed during camp season.

Camper Experience & Program Support

• Ensure Middle Camp campers are receiving what they need, speak with any staff or parent as needed.
• Be a Jewish role model for camp – educate staff and campers on the Jewish values interwoven through camp. Guide program staff on how to weave Jewish education and values into their camp curriculum.
• Work with year-round camp team in creation of summer calendar including theme days, trips, and special events.
• Work with Director to create a budget for all these activities.

Leadership, Culture & Representation

• Attend annual day camp conferences including but not limited to overnight conferences in October and March.
• Represent JCC MetroWest and Camp Deeny Riback at community-wide events, camp fairs, and open houses.
• Have a strong and motivating presence – get out of the office, proactively get to know campers and staff, monitor and direct appropriate behavior in camp activities, and be a part of camp!
• Ability to stay late at camp, sleep overnight, and attend Sunday events at camp when needed.
• Act in accordance with JCC MetroWest’s internal service standards of respect, kindness, teamwork and communication.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, recreation, or other related fields
• 5-7 years’ experience in camping as a staff member
• Excellent interpersonal (relationship development) and communication skills
• Experience with program management and implementation
• Demonstrated aptitude and willingness to be a visible and active team player
• Good critical and creative thinking skills
• Strong organizational and computer skills including Microsoft Suite and ability to assist in training others
• Ability learn Campminder, the online camp management system that is used to manage all campers and staff
• Mature disposition, creativity, outgoing and energetic personality
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and overnights throughout the summer
• Knowledge of Jewish holidays and customs
• Knowledge and understanding issues of youth growth and development
• Highly organized, attentive to detail and ability to work independently, a self-starter
• Sense of humor and serious interest in having fun

COMPENSATION: $64,000 – $68,000 per year

BENEFITS: Available benefits include health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, free membership in the JCC MetroWest fitness center, 403(b) retirement savings plan, and paid time off

All applicants for employment shall be considered without regard to race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.

Agency Information:

JCC MetroWest has been at the center of our community for 144 years, bringing people together while providing educational, social, cultural and fitness programs. Here at the J, we take every precaution to keep our community safe and healthy, as well as warm, inclusive, and welcoming.