Cooking Instructor, Camp Kaleidoscope, Summer Day Camp

Greater Boston, Inc.; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking enthusiastic Camp Counselors to lead cooking classes for children during summer. This role involves creating a fun and safe environment, guiding children through engaging activities, and fostering a sense of community. With a vibrant and supportive atmosphere, staff will enjoy access to health and fitness facilities, competitive pay, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on young campers’ lives. Ideal candidates will possess strong leadership skills, a passion for cooking, and a desire to inspire creativity in children. Join this rewarding experience and help shape the next generation of young chefs!

Benefits

JCC Health & Fitness center access

Free bus service for staff

Supportive work environment

Competitive starting pay rate

Qualifications

• Preferred high school degree; college degree in cooking or nutrition is a plus.
• 1+ season of experience leading cooking activities for children.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and well-being of campers during activities.
• Lead engaging cooking activities and manage supplies.

Skills

Group management skills

Flexibility and positive attitude

Cooking supplies and equipment knowledge

Safety awareness

Leadership and teamwork

Ability to work with children

Education

High school degree

College degree in cooking or nutrition

Instructor experience

Tools

Cooking tools

Safety equipment

Job description

Share your love of cooking by leading cooking classes for children entering grades 2 - 8 during the summer. Camp Kaleidoscope, the JCC summer day camp in Newton, draws creative campers interested in the arts, science and the outdoors. Camp Counselors and activity specialists guide campers in drama, art, science, sports, swimming and much more as they develop and build self-confidence. The energy of the camp is lively, playful and warm, as both campers and staff develop lifelong friendships. JCC Greater Boston offers free bus service for staff from Cambridge, Brookline, Framingham, Sudbury, and Wayland during the season, making it possible for staff to receive transportation from their home communities if needed.

JCC Greater Boston is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston’s core values - Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Ensure the safety and well-being of campers during activities
• Create a fun/joyful dynamic
• Work in partnership with peers and Camp Leadership to provide a happy, safe and memorable summer for the children
• Lead or co-lead activities
• Prepare and manage supplies
• Plan and implement fun and engaging activities for children in grades K – 8
• Participate in and support supervision of the children during special events and large group activities

Standard staff expectations include:

• Actively create a welcoming dynamic that contributes to an environment where each individual is valued and respected
• Actively participate as an essential team member
• Support JCC Greater Boston’s mission, vision, and values of belonging, joyfulness, collaboration, and transformation, including through role modeling
• Enthusiastically represent the organization, model excellence and achievement
• Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

JOB DETAILS: This is an hourly position with a daily schedule of 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday. Offering great perks, including JCC Health & Fitness center access, a supportive, vibrant in-person work environment, and a competitive starting pay rate of $17 per hour. The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.

This 8 week camp program is June 23 - August 15. While we prefer candidates who are available all summer, we recognize that candidates may have other obligations and are happy to work with your schedule.

Education and Experience:

• High school degree preferred
• College degree, concentration, certification, or equivalent experience in cooking, nutrition, or related field preferred
• 1+ season (summer camp, semester, other) instructor experience planning and leading cooking activities for children
• Customer service experience preferred

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent group management skills
• Flexibility in plans and positive attitude
• Ability to work with a variety of cooking supplies and equipment
• Ability to work with allergy and dietary restrictions as needed
• Enjoy working with children and a strong desire to make a difference every day
• Safety awareness and ability to communicate any issues and concerns with supervisors
• Ability to ensure safety of participants when working with cooking supplies, tools and variety of ingredients and food
• Exhibits leadership skills, including teamwork, patience, flexibility, and diplomacy
• Demonstrates positive attitude at all times
• Commitment to build strong relationships with campers, co-workers, and camp leadership
• Self-starter who takes the initiative
• Ability to manage situations effectively and diplomatically and ask for help, guidance, or clarification when needed
• Must be able to work well with others, building/sustaining collaborative solid relationships

Physical Requirements:

• Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities.
• Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30-40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children’s backpacks, etc.)
• Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly.

ADA Statement: Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.