Opening for a Summer Recreation Director

Caroga Lake's; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Caroga Lake's is seeking a director for its summer youth program. The role involves directing operations, planning daily and weekly activities, and coordinating with staff and volunteers to deliver educational, recreational, and cultural experiences for youth.

The candidate should have experience supervising youth programs, strong leadership and organizational skills, and the ability to manage records and ensure safety and compliance with NYS requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising staff, volunteers, or youth.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to plan activities and schedules effectively.
• Familiarity with NY State regulations for youth programs.

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise the operation of the summer youth program.
• Plan, organize and implement daily and weekly activities.
• Develop schedules and assign staff responsibilities.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate staff and volunteers.
• Ensure safety and a positive environment for participants.
• Coordinate with schools and community partners.
• Prepare required program reports and documentation.

Skills

Staff supervision

Program planning

Communication

Leadership

Youth development

Record keeping

Behavior management

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree in education, recreation, youth development or related field (preferred)

Job description

Duties

• Direct and supervise the overall operation of the summer youth program.
• Plan, organize, and implement daily and weekly educational, recreational, cultural, and enrichment activities.
• Develop program schedules and assign responsibilities to staff and volunteers.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate summer program staff and volunteers.
• Provide guidance and support to staff in working effectively with children and youth.
• Ensure appropriate supervision of all program participants and maintain a safe, positive, and respectful environment.
• Monitor participant attendance and maintain accurate program records, reports, and required documentation.
• Communicate with parents and guardians regarding program activities, schedules, concerns, and participant needs.
• Address behavioral concerns, conflicts, emergencies, and other issues involving participants or staff.
• Coordinate field trips, special events, guest programs, community activities, and other enrichment opportunities.
• Maintain appropriate supplies, equipment, materials, and program facilities.
• Coordinate with schools, community organizations, municipal agencies, parents, and other community partners.
• Monitor staff performance and ensure that established program policies and procedures are followed.
• Ensure program activities involving youth comply with applicable New York State and federal requirements.
• Ensure youth participating in employment activities are assigned appropriate duties consistent with applicable child-labor requirements.
• Prepare and submit required program reports, schedules, attendance records, inventories, and other documentation.
• Assist with program planning, budgeting, purchasing, payroll documentation, and other administrative responsibilities as assigned.
• Promote positive relationships between the program, families, schools, community organizations, and the public.
• Perform other duties necessary for the successful operation of the summer youth program.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework or a degree in education, recreation, youth development, human services, or a related field is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with children or youth.
• Experience supervising staff, volunteers, or youth is preferred.
• Experience planning and coordinating youth, recreational, educational, or community programs.
• Strong organizational, communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to plan activities, schedules, and program services effectively.
• Ability to supervise and evaluate staff and provide appropriate direction and support.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare required reports.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and handle behavioral issues, emergencies, and sensitive situations appropriately.
• Ability to establish positive working relationships with youth, parents/guardians, staff, community organizations, and public officials.
• Dependable, responsible, organized, and able to work independently.
• Ability to understand and follow applicable New York State regulations, program policies, and safety requirements.
• Must meet any applicable background-check, mandated-reporter, health, safety, CPR/First Aid, or other requirements applicable to the specific program or facility.

Exact minimum qualifications can vary depending on whether the position operates as a children’s-camp, municipal youth program, school-based program, or NYS-funded Summer Youth Employment Program. For example, New York State children’s-camp regulations establish specific qualifications for a camp director, while municipal youth-program positions may use education-and-experience combinations such as a bachelor’s degree plus relevant youth-program experience.