Specialty Camp Head Counselor

Congo Camp; Falls Church (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The Congo Camp in Falls Church, VA seeks a Specialty Camp Head Counselor to lead on-site behavior management and coach staff across one-week themed camps (Arts, STEM, Cooking, Athletics, Drama). You will ensure safety, inclusivity, and timely transitions, while handling escalations and family communications.

You’ll supervise counselors, maintain accurate incident and behavior documentation, coordinate daily activities, and ensure compliance with Virginia licensing standards.

Qualifications

• Experience leading youth programs (camp, school, or recreation).
• Strong staff coaching skills with clear feedback and accountability.
• Pediatric First Aid/CPR certification or ability to obtain.
• Organized and excellent communicator with ability to move between rooms/sites.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive behavior management support and coach counselors in real time.
• Lead daily kickoff/closeout huddles and set expectations for transitions and dismissal flow.
• Triage and de-escalate challenging behaviors; implement accommodation strategies with Inclusion Coordinator.
• Support counselor-planned activities by ensuring safety, timing, and group management.
• Communicate promptly with families on behavior or safety matters per Site Director guidance.
• Oversee accurate documentation: incident/accident reports, behavior notes, and follow-up actions.
• Monitor facilities and equipment; address hazards and sanitation protocols, especially in Cooking activities.
• Meet or exceed ACA practices and Virginia child day program licensing standards.
• Be punctual, prepared, and flexible; may be reassigned to meet program needs.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Communication

Behavior support

Safety protocols

Education

First Aid/CPR certification

Job description

About the role

The Specialty Camp Head Counselor is the on-site lead for behavior management and staff support across one-week themed camps (Arts, STEM, Cooking, Athletics, Drama). Counselors plan and lead activities; you coach them to keep groups safe, inclusive, and on schedule, and you take the lead on escalations, documentation, and family communication. This is a supervisory role that reports to the Sleepy Hollow Elementary Site Director.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive behavior management support and coach counselors in real time.


• Lead daily kickoff/closeout huddles; set expectations for transitions, ratios, room setups, equipment checks, and dismissal flow.


• Triage and de-escalate challenging behaviors; implement accommodation strategies in partnership with the Inclusion Coordinator.


• Support counselor-planned activities by aligning safety, timing, and group management; coordinate coverage and breaks.


• Communicate promptly and professionally with families on behavior or safety matters, in alignment with Site Director guidance.


• Oversee accurate documentation: incident/accident reports, behavior notes, follow-up actions, and parent contacts.


• Monitor facilities and equipment; address hazards/maintenance needs; uphold sanitation and allergy/food-handling protocols (esp. Cooking).


• Meet or exceed ACA practices and Virginia child day program licensing standards.


• Be punctual, prepared, and flexible; perform other duties as assigned by the Site Director or designee.


• Understand that duties/schedules may be adjusted by the Camp Director (or designee) to meet program needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading youth programs with a focus on behavior support (camp, school, after-school, recreation).


• Strong staff coaching skills: clear feedback, modeling, and supportive accountability.


• Pediatric First Aid/CPR (or able to obtain and maintain); MAT a plus.


• Organized, calm under pressure, and an excellent communicator; able to move between rooms/sites and lift/move supplies.

Eligibility:

Must be 21+ by the first day of employment and able to pass required background/screening checks per School and Virginia regulations.