Camp Lead Manager

City of Hilliard; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Hilliard is seeking a Camp Lead Manager under the Recreation Department to oversee daily operations across Rec Camp sites. You will lead Camp Managers, supervise staff, and develop training to ensure a safe, engaging, and consistent camp experience for children aged 6–11.

You will partner with the Camp Director to maintain consistent procedures, address operational concerns, and provide proactive supervision and leadership across all sites.

Qualifications

• Completed or receiving a degree in education, child development or a related field.
• 2 years or seasons of summer camp experience
• Extensive Knowledge of youth recreation, day camp operations, and age-appropriate programming for children ages 6-11
• Knowledge of staff supervision, training, behavior management, and camper safety.
• Ability to lead and train staff in a professional and engaging manner.
• Ability to supervise, coach, and support Camp Managers and other staff.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to changing situations.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with the Camp Director and Recreation staff.
• Ability to build positive relationships with staff, campers, families, and community partners.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution-focused in challenging situations.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the overall leadership, daily operations, and administration of Rec Camp across all sites.
• Provide leadership and support to Camp Managers; lead staff training and development.
• Coordinate staff supervision, scheduling, and communication.
• Develop and lead staff training, in-service training and professional development.
• Support Camp Managers in ensuring safety, behavior management, and camper engagement across sites.
• Monitor operations and propose improvements to the Camp Director.
• Maintain documentation, incident reporting, attendance, staffing, and daily procedures.
• Ensure consistency of programming and activities across sites; step in to cover staffing shortages.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Staff supervision

Problem-solving

Team player

Emergency planning

Organizational skills

Public interaction

Education

Degree in education/child development or related field

Job description

Under the direction of the Recreation Supervisor and Recreation Program Manager, the Camp Lead Manager assists with the overall leadership, daily operations, and administration of Rec Camp. This position provides direct leadership and support to Camp Managers, leads staff training and development, and works alongside the Camp Director to ensure a safe, organized, engaging, and consistent camp experience across all camp sites.

Assist the Camp Director with the day-to-day operation and oversight of Rec Camp across all camp sites.

Provide leadership, guidance, and support to Camp Managers, ensuring consistent expectations, procedures, and programming.

Serve as a key point of contact for Camp Managers regarding daily operations, staffing, behavior concerns, parent concerns, and other camp issues.

Assist the Camp Director with staff supervision, scheduling, communication, and problem-solving.

Develop, coordinate, and lead staff training, in-service training, and professional development throughout the camp season.

Help establish and reinforce staff expectations related to safety, supervision, professionalism, behavior management, inclusion, and camper engagement.

Assist Camp Managers with addressing staff performance concerns and implementing appropriate corrective action when needed.

Support the development and implementation of camp policies, procedures, systems, and operational standards.

Monitor camp operations and identify areas for improvement, communicating recommendations to the Camp Director.

Assist with the management of camper behavior, accommodations, incidents, emergencies, and parent concerns.

Support Camp Managers in ensuring proper documentation, incident reporting, attendance, staffing, and daily operational procedures are completed.

Help oversee the quality and consistency of camp programming and activities across sites.

Step in to provide direct operational support at camp sites as needed, including coverage for staffing shortages or challenging situations.

Assist and implement school year camps during the non-summer months.

Work collaboratively with the Camp Director, Camp Managers, counselors, and other Recreation staff to maintain a positive and inclusive camp environment.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge of principles and techniques of planning, organizing, and conducting recreational activities.

Considerable knowledge of various recreational programs and current trends in the industry.

Must be able to be a team player and able to work well with others.

Good verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to supervise, direct, instruct, and solicit cooperation from others in the performance of their daily work assignments and duties.

Ability to exercise independent judgement, discretion and to provide leadership.

Ability to answer inquiries, resolve complaints, and communicate with the public in an effective, tactful courteous, and professional manner.

Ability to implement Emergency Action Plans and emergency response plans.

Lead by example and model professionalism, accountability, and strong communication.

Build strong working relationships with Camp Managers and camp staff.

Maintain consistency in expectations and procedures across all camp sites.

Be proactive in identifying and addressing operational concerns.

Support Camp Managers while allowing them to maintain ownership of their individual sites.

Communicate significant concerns and recommendations to the Camp Director in a timely manner.

Be willing to step into different roles and locations based on the needs of the camp program.

Minimum Qualifications:

Completed or receiving a degree in education, child development or a related field.

2 years or seasons of summer camp experience

Extensive Knowledge of youth recreation, day camp operations, and age-appropriate programming for children ages 6-11

Knowledge of staff supervision, training, behavior management, and camper safety.

Ability to lead and train staff in a professional and engaging manner.

Ability to supervise, coach, and support Camp Managers and other staff.

Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to changing situations.

Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with the Camp Director and Recreation staff.

Ability to build positive relationships with staff, campers, families, and community partners.

Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution-focused in challenging situations.

Physical Requirements:

Must be physically capable of sitting, standing, reaching, twisting, bending, walking, lifting and kneeling, grasping, and repetitive motions to perform the essential job functions.

Must be able to verbally communicate for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.

Must maintain visual acuity and hearing necessary for observing general surrounding and activities.

The worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions. The worker may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.

Must possess the physical ability to remain outdoors for a sustained period throughout the course of the summer.