Lead Camp Counselor: OSU-Cascades Summer Academy 2025

Oregon State University; Oregon (IL); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits at a prominent educational institution, where you can take on the role of Lead Camp Counselor. This position is vital for the successful operation of the OSU-Cascades Summer Academy, a two-week camp designed for high school students. You will lead and mentor a team of counselors while ensuring a safe and engaging environment for campers. Your leadership, communication, and organizational skills will shine as you manage activities, resolve conflicts, and foster a sense of community. This is a unique chance to make a positive impact on young minds while gaining valuable experience in a dynamic and supportive setting.

Benefits

Room and Board during Summer Camp Sessions

Training in Child Safety and Leadership

First Aid/CPR Certification

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in high school or college and pursuing a program of study.
• Demonstrated leadership and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a liaison between camp leadership and counselors.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of all campers.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational Skills

Conflict Resolution

Time Management

Teamwork

Education

High School Enrollment

Undergraduate Enrollment (6 credit hours)

Graduate Enrollment (5 credit hours)

Job description

Position Information

Job Title: Lead Camp Counselor

Appointment Type: Student Employee

Job Location: Oregon State University – Cascades, Bend, Oregon

Position Appointment Percent: 100%

Appointment Basis: 12 months

Pay Method: Hourly

Pay Period: 16th - 15th of the following month

Pay Date: Last working day of the month

Min Hourly Rate: $14.70 (Standard); $13.70 (Non-Urban); $15.95 (Portland Metro)

Max Hourly Rate: $21.00 (Standard); $20.50 (Non-Urban); $21.50 (Portland Metro)

This recruitment will fill two (2) part-time Lead Camp Counselor positions within the Event Services Unit at Oregon State University – Cascades, located in Bend, Oregon. The Lead Camp Counselor plays an essential role in the smooth operation of OSU-Cascades Summer Academy, a two-week residential and day youth camp for high school students entering grades 10-12. Acting as a liaison between camp leadership and counselors, the Lead Camp Counselor supports task delegation, camper conflict resolution, schedule/time management, and activity facilitation. This position requires strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, along with a commitment to creating a safe, positive, and engaging environment for all campers and staff. Lead Camp Counselors are expected to work 5 hours per week during the Spring 2025 training period and up to 40 hours per week during the Summer Academy camp sessions (July 20-25 and July 27-August 1). This is an academic year/summer (April 2025 – August 2025) position open to OSU-Cascades students.

Position Duties

• Leadership and Team Support:
• Serve as the primary liaison between camp leadership and counselors, ensuring clear communication and effective task delegation.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to counselors, fostering a collaborative and inclusive team environment.
• Support counselors in preparing and executing activities, ensuring they are equipped to meet program goals.
• Camper Engagement and Safety:
• Ensure the well-being and safety of all campers by addressing conflicts and behavioral concerns in a timely and professional manner.
• Build positive relationships among campers, promoting a sense of belonging and mutual respect.
• Serve as a role model for professionalism, enthusiasm, and inclusivity in all camper interactions.
• Residential Supervision:
• Live on-site during residential sessions in assigned single rooms/apartments to provide overnight supervision and emergency support.
• Oversee camper check-in and check-out processes, ensuring smooth room assignments and move-in logistics.
• Enforce curfews and overnight safety protocols, maintaining a secure and respectful residential environment.
• Program Facilitation and Logistics:
• Lead and supervise a variety of camp activities, including educational, recreational, and team-building sessions.
• Coordinate daily schedules and transitions between activities, ensuring smooth program execution.
• Adapt activities as needed to accommodate diverse camper needs and interests.
• Administrative and Logistical Duties:
• Maintain accurate records, including attendance, incident reports, and activity evaluations.
• Communicate regularly with camp leadership regarding challenges, successes, and opportunities for improvement.
• Contribute to post-session evaluations to enhance future programming.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study.
• Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment.
• Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard:
• High School student: Regularly enrolled in a high school or participating in a home-schooling program.
• Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate student: 6 credit hours per term.
• Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term.
• Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School: 5 credit hours per term.
• Graduate international student officially admitted to Graduate School: 9 credit hours per term.

*International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered “full-time” by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A reduced course load is approved by the Office of International Services (OIS), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and walk/stand for extended periods.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to be reliable, punctual, and adaptable.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
• This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.
• This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal History Check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions, and those in Youth Programs may have additional Criminal History Checks every two years.

Preferred (Special) Qualifications

• Be a current full-time Oregon State University student, OR OSU-Cascades student OR degree partnership student with OSU-Cascades and COCC with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher.
• Previous experience as a camp counselor in day or residential camp settings.
• Experience in K-12 education (e.g., student teaching, classroom aide) or professional childcare.
• Possess First Aid/ AED / CPR certification from the American Red Cross or another recognized provider (or willingness to obtain during Spring 2025 training).
• Possess Entry-Level Program Staff certification from the American Camp Association or another recognized provider (or willingness to obtain during Spring 2025 training).

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

• During the Spring 2025 training period, this is a part-time (5 hours per week) position with a set schedule designed to accommodate class commitments.
• During the Summer Academy camp sessions (July 20-25 and July 27-August 1), this is a full-time (40 hours per week) position, and includes a live-on requirement in the OSU-Cascades residence hall.
• Duties include a mix of physical and sedentary tasks, such as standing or walking for extended periods, lifting and moving materials, and working in office or outdoor settings.
• Work may occur in varying weather conditions and requires evening and weekend availability during camp sessions.

Compensation

• This position is paid at a standard rate of $19.00/hour, up to 5 hours/week during the Spring 2025 training period. The student employee submits a timesheet for supervisor approval on the 15th of each month and receives their paycheck on the last day of the month.
• This position is paid at a standard rate of $21.00/hour, up to 40 hours/week during the Summer Academy camp sessions (July 20-25 and July 27-August 1). Incumbents are also compensated with room and board during the summer camp sessions.

Anticipated Hiring Schedule

• Application Period: February 3-28
• Interview Period: March 3-14
• Offer Date: March 17
• Summer Camp Sessions: July 20-25 and July 27-August 1

Provided Training

Students will complete online and in-person training, including:

• Child abuse prevention and reporting.
• Information technology security.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Child safety and protection protocols.
• Leadership and communication skills.
• Team-building facilitation.
• Professional boundaries and ethical considerations in youth programming.
• Emergency response and safety procedures.
• First Aid/ AED / CPR certification through the American Red Cross.
• Entry-Level Program Staff certification through the American Camp Association.

Posting Number

P11794SE

Number of Vacancies: 2

Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: 04/14/2025

Anticipated Appointment End Date: 08/29/2025

Posting Date: 02/03/2025

Full Consideration Date: 02/28/2025

Closing Date: 06/20/2025

Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search: Competitive / Student - open to ALL qualified/eligible students