Head of Counselors

Northeast Texas, Inc.; Palestine (TX); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meals included

Housing (if applicable)

Paid training & certifications

Invaluable work experience

Job summary

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas is seeking a Head of Counselors for Camp Bette Perot in Palestine, TX. This seasonal role supports the Camp Director, oversees counselor staff, mentors junior staff, and helps coordinate daily camp life for a sleepaway program serving girls aged 7–16.

You will help maintain a safe, inclusive environment, lead program activities, participate in trainings, and address emergencies with composure. Housing and meals are included where available.

Qualifications

• College degree, or within one year of completing degree or equivalent experience.
• Organized, participant-focused, and safety conscious.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
• At least two summers of experience as a camp counselor or similar participant-focused role in a youth camp setting, or equivalent work experience with similar functions and responsibilities.
• Ability to address staff and camper conflicts, concerns, and questions in an equitable and developmentally appropriate manner.
• Willingness to live in camp setting with exposure to wildlife and outdoor environments.

Responsibilities

• Champion a positive, inclusive, caring, safe, and fun camp environment and promote the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law, including serving as a positive role model for youth.
• Lead and participate in camp program activities and administration, including meals, activities, rest, free time, chores, staff trainings and meetings, planning and preparation, and cleanup.
• Assist with staff training and mentoring and work closely with camp administrative staff.
• Assist with coordination of response for any emergencies that arise.
• Assist with weekend operational support as needed, including cultural events for international staff.
• Facilitate positive group relationships, including addressing conflict in constructive ways.
• Adhere to camp schedule and uphold schedules with others.
• Assist in care of campsite facilities, equipment, and supplies, including managing resources wisely.
• Practice all camp safety standards and emergency procedures and uphold them with others.

Skills

Staff coaching

Mentorship

Conflict mediation

Observation & feedback

Leadership

Diversity & inclusion

Education

College degree or within one year of completing degree

Job description

Head of Counselors-Camp Bette Perot-Palestine, TX

Camp and Outdoor Leaders Seasonal Palestine, TX, US

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:

Head of Counselors

Reports To:

Camp Director

Status:

Seasonal

Location:

About Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas:

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX) offers amazing opportunities for talented, forward-thinking individuals who share our vision of helping girls and young women change the world for the better.

Here’s your opportunity to enhance your career while making a difference in girls’ lives and in the world. At Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, you can build a rewarding career in everything from working hands-on with girls, to accounting, human resources and project management, to marketing, research—and more.

Camp Bette Perot, our equestrian camp, offers sleepaway camp for girls ages 7-16. We serve approximately 150 campers per week from a variety of racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Camp community life includes group living, shared meals, daily activities, kapers (chores), and rest. Campers come to camp independently and are cared for by Counselors. Camp is located 20 minutes from the small town of Palestine and 2 hours from the large city of Dallas.

Summer leadership work season runs from the beginning of June to the end of July. Summer leadership work week is typically 13 hours per day for 6 days per week.

Job summary:

Summer leadership staff are responsible for assisting the Camp Director and staff team with daily operations of sleepaway camp, including program coordination for the camp community, summer staff coaching and mentorship, camp values promotion and relationship-building, and general operations and problem-solving support. This position develops relationships with staff and campers and participates fully in daily camp life while serving as a caring mentor, positive role model, and helpful problem solver. The position reports to the Camp Director. Paid staff training is provided at the beginning of the summer and takes place at Camp Bette Perot near Palestine, TX. The position stays onsite in a shared staff bedroom.

• Head of Counselors (21+): Support counselor belonging, development, effectiveness, wellbeing, and growth through staff training and meetings, mentorship and check-ins, observation and feedback, and tokens of encouragement. Oversee counselor staff to ensure that campers have a safe, fun, and enriching camp experience through both structured activities and free play. Assist with mediating conflicts and resolving challenges. Collaborate closely with Head of Program in the coordination and support of daily camp life.

Summer camp changes lives for the better! Join an amazing community where you will make new friends, develop personal and professional skills, engage your body and your mind in an outdoor environment, overcome challenges, and be the best version of yourself, plus have tons of fun! As part of the team, you will get to make an incredible impact on staff and campers through mentorship, helpfulness, and inspiration. The staff and campers will remember the sense of belonging, friendship, growth, and magic of summer camp for their entire lives. All positions include meals when camp is in session, housing (if applicable), paid training and certifications (if applicable), plus invaluable work experience that prepares you to succeed in future careers.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Champion a positive, inclusive, caring, safe, and fun camp environment and promote the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law, including serving as a positive role model for youth in language, dress, culture of inclusion, behavior, and attitude
• Lead and participate in camp program activities and administration, including meals, activities, rest, free time, kapers (chores), staff trainings and meetings, planning and preparation, and cleanup
• Assist with staff training and mentoring and work closely with camp administrative staff
• Assist with coordination of response for any emergencies that arise
• Assist with weekend operational support as needed, including cultural events for international staff
• Facilitate positive group relationships, including addressing conflict in constructive ways
• Advocate for camper and staff confidence, responsibility, challenge seeking, teamwork, learning, goal setting, relationship skills, coping strategies, and opportunities for personal and group success
• Adhere to camp schedule and uphold schedules with others
• Assist in care of campsite facilities, equipment, and supplies, including managing resources wisely
• Practice all camp safety standards and emergency procedures and uphold them with others
• Work independently and as part of a team to meet camp program and operation needs and to implement solutions to problems that arise
• Participate in staff trainings and meetings as requested
• College degree, or within one year of completing degree or equivalent experience
• Organized, participant-focused, and safety conscious
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism
• Excited about working with youth and young adults of all ages and with variable needs
• At least two summers of experience as a camp counselor or similar participant-focused role in a youth camp setting, or equivalent work experience with similar functions and responsibilities
• Ability to address staff and camper conflicts, concerns, and questions in an equitable and developmentally appropriate manner
• Ability to live, eat, teach, and play respectfully and fruitfully with diverse staff and campers all day, with limited privacy and personal time
• Willingness to live in camp setting with exposure to wildlife, including bugs, spiders, and snakes
• Willingness to be active outdoors all day in variable weather conditions (high heat over 100°F/38°C, high humidity, rain, wind, possible tornadoes) and to walk extensively around camp
• Willingness to role model respect, positivity, smiling, cheerfulness, kindness, patience, honesty, inclusion, good mental hygiene, and accountability and to self-regulate emotions respectfully in a variety of circumstances
• Willingness to listen to learn from and cooperate with others
• Willingness to embrace a simple living environment while staying on camp
• Ability to work long hours all day and all week with possible need to respond to campers / emergencies overnight (staff get personal breaktime each day)4
• Ability to complete full term (all weeks) of camp agreement
• Demonstrate and promote a climate of courtesy, respect and professionalism to coworkers, the volunteers served by this council, and others with whom this job puts them in contact
• Upon employment, employee must register as an adult member in the Girl Scout organization and subscribe to the tenets of the Girl Scout Promise and Law
• Attendance is an essential job requirement defined as having regular, consistent, reliable, punctual and predictable attendance including the ability to work regular hours and shifts, before and after hours, and weekends when required
• Must complete and pass a criminal background check
• Must possess a current driver license within, US driver license preferred

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience attending summer camp or going camping
• Prefer a valid US drivers’ license and meet GSNETX driving record & automobile insurance requirements

Must abstain from:

• Use of tobacco products, herbal intoxicants (CBD, THC, gummies, etc.), vaping and electronic cigarettes, alcohol, illegal drugs, firearms, and fireworks while on camp property or while on duty, plus abstain from possessing on camp property and from returning to camp under the influence of any such substances
• Use of explicit language or harmful language
• Volatile expressions of emotion
• Romantic or sexual activity on camp, no public display of affection
• Wearing clothing that features alcohol, drugs, or harmful topics or language
• Sharing or discussing private, adult issues with campers
• Using (engaging with) cell phone while on duty (Counselor phones can be kept in administrative building and used during scheduled staff break time away from campers, plus we have a radio system for camp communication and emergencies)

Our organization’s cultural values:

• We are relevant.
• We strive for equity.
• We put our stakeholders first.
• We collaborate to get the best results.
• We own our work.

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse, inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected characteristics, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or age.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Use of hands or fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. Ability to reach with hands and arms, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Ability to work both indoors and outdoors. Significant sitting, standing, physical activity, and ability to walk extensively around a large camp property (1,300 acres). Must be able to withstand prolonged work hours. Must be able to thrive in an environment with regular exposure to large groups of youth and high noise levels. Ability to lift and carry and/or move up to 45 pounds.