Ropes Director (Seasonal) - YMCA Camp Cosby

YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metro Area; Alabama; On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The YMCA of Greater Birmingham seeks a part-time Ropes Director at Camp Cosby in Alpine, Alabama to oversee challenge course activities and staff safety.

You will mentor staff, enforce policies, plan activities, maintain equipment, and ensure a positive, age-appropriate camp experience for campers and counselors.

This role requires prior leadership, CPR/First Aid certification, and ability to work across diverse teams.

Qualifications

• 2 years of prior experience with children in camping or related youth work.
• Experience as a leader or supervisor.
• Must be able to obtain CPR/First Aid certifications.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.

Responsibilities

• Lead assigned sessions during staff training.
• Support all staff at camp and inspire great leadership with campers.
• Ensure safety, health, welfare and happiness of staff and campers.
• Attend all staff meetings.
• Adhere to ACA, Department of Health and YMCA of Greater Birmingham standards for challenge course activities.
• Manage equipment and logs for ropes and climbing gear.

Skills

Team leadership

Youth program experience

CPR/First Aid

Staff mentoring

Safety awareness

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Camp Cosby - Alpine, AL 35014, Position Type: Part Time, General Functions

In accordance with the Christian principles of the YMCA, this summer position involves ensuring camper safety, well-being, happiness, growth and development during camp activities. The Ropes Director assures all challenge course activities have safe equipment and well trained staff. The Ropes Director is the primary staff member working with the challenge course activity staff and is responsible for supporting staff, upholding and enforcing all policies and procedures, planning activities, gathering supplies, leading activities, building a positive staff culture and being present as a mentor.

Know How:

• Belief in the YMCA Mission and sets an example of high moral standards, Christian character and values.
• An attitude of teamwork and enthusiasm of service to others.
• Have 2 years of prior experience with children in camping or related youth work.
• Prior experience as a leader or supervisor.
• Physical ability to cover entire campgrounds and participate in all camp activities.
• Ability to positively work with staff from different backgrounds.
• Train and mentor staff.
• Know all Camp Cosby and YMCA of Greater Birmingham policies and procedures, adhere to these policies and assure all staff adhere to these policies.
• Must be able to obtain CPR/First Aid certifications.
• Must be 18 years of age or older

Principle Activities:

• Lead assigned sessions during staff training.
• Support all staff at camp and know how to inspire them to be great leaders with our campers.
• Be responsible for the safety, health, welfare and happiness of each staff member and camper in your program.
• Attend all staff meetings.
• Assure ACA, Department of Health and YMCA of Greater Birmingham standards are followed at all challenge course activities.
• Assure all activity equipment is properly cared for, returned where it belongs and reported to the Activities Director if replacement is needed.
• Oversee ropes and climbing gear logs.
• Perform maintenance on equipment as needed.
• Adhere to schedules and planned activities of the camp.
• Support the decision of camp leaders and work in unison with Activities Director and Cabin Life Director to assure a safe and excellent camp program.
• Notify the Cabin Life Director & Activities Director of all incidents, behavior concerns and discipline problems.
• Create an environment that cares for staff and campers socially, emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually.
• Assure there is always a staff member 19 or older within earshot or eyesight of the campers.
• Plan, direct and supervise a safe and fun land program.
• Assist with daily challenge course staff activity assignments.
• Supervise challenge course staff during daily activities and summer in-service trainings.
• Manage the physical facilities and equipment for all challenge course activities.
• Daily documentation and safety observations.
• Evaluate the skills of staff and mentor as needed.
• Assist with other camp activities as needed including, but not limited to check in day, check out day, evening program and meals.

Employees and volunteers who directly supervise children and teens will:

• Adhere to policies related to boundaries with children and teens
• Attend required abuse risk management training annually
• Adhere to procedures for managing high-risk activities and supervising children and teens.
• Report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
• Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.

Effects on End Result

The effectiveness of this position can be measured by a Ropes Director who shows an aptitude to lead in an attitude of enthusiasm of service to others providing a safe and engaging program that builds a positive image of Camp Cosby and the YMCA. Successful completion of this position will result in staff and campers who have greater skills in our challenge course activities.