The Role
Supports the Senior Program Director in operating YMCA Camp Cosby, including seasonal staff hiring and supervision, volunteer management, scheduling, budgeting, compliance, program quality, camper and family relations, marketing, fundraising, inventory, and community partnerships. The role helps deliver year-round and summer programming, maintains safety and ACA standards, manages staff culture, and serves as Manager on Duty. It requires onsite residence, outdoor camp work, and participation in CPR, first aid, lifeguard, and ropes training.
Summary Generated by Built In
Love camp? Make it your career.
At YMCA Camp Cosby, summers are full of campfires, lake days, and kids discovering who they are. Behind every great summer is a leader who assists with building the staff team, shapes the programs, and makes sure every camper and family feels at home. We’re looking for that person.
As Assistant Program Director, you’ll be a key leader for the summer resident camp program as well as supporting Cosby year-round, working alongside the Senior Program Director and Program Director to run safe, high-quality programs and build a staff culture people want to come back to every summer. If you’ve worked at camp and thought, “I could do this for real,” this is your next step.
What you’ll do under the direction of the Sr. Program Director:
- Lead and mentor summer staff. Assist to Recruit, hire, train, and coach seasonal staff, and help create a culture where they grow as leaders. You’ll directly supervise the teen program leaders and the summer media team.
- Run the teen leadership programs. Own the Counselor-in-Training and Leader-in-Training programs, helping teens grow into the next generation of camp leaders.
- Make programs great. Review and improve programs for safety, fun, and quality, bring in new ideas, and keep Cosby aligned with American Camp Association standards.
- Tell Cosby’s story. Build the annual marketing calendar and create content for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, email, and the Cosby Timbers newsletter.
- Build relationships with families. Stay connected with campers and parents all year, gather their feedback, and help bring them back summer after summer.
- Support the bigger picture. Help with the budget, fundraising, volunteers, and year-round retreats and outdoor education. You’ll also serve as Manager on Duty when needed.
Why you’ll love it
- Free onsite housing at camp
- Competitive salary
- Comprehensive benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage with significant employer contribution
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Generous retirement plan with 12% employer contribution once eligible
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- YMCA perks:
- Free YMCA membership for you and your household
- Significant discounts on YMCA programs, including childcare, after-school programs, and summer camps
- Supportive team culture where you’re part of something bigger
- Real opportunities to grow your skills and your career with the Y
- Work that matters, where you help shape kids’ summers and lives every day
What you’ll bring
- A bachelor’s degree in recreation or a related field
- At least 2 years of programming and supervisory experience in camping or a related field
- A passion for youth development and building great teams
- Strong communication skills and comfort working with families, staff, and community partners
- Organization and initiative, plus the ability to juggle a lot during the busy season
- Comfort with Microsoft Office, CRM databases, and social media
- CPR/AED and First Aid certification, or willingness to get certified
- Willingness to complete lifeguard and ropes course training
- Ability to live onsite and work outdoors on uneven terrain in all kinds of weather, and lift up to 50 pounds
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in recreation or a related field
- At least 2 years of programming and supervisory experience in camping or a related field
- Customer-service orientation and demonstrated commitment to excellence
- Ability to communicate effectively with varied customers and manage multiple tasks and deadlines with minimal supervision
- Experience working with families and handling conflict resolution
- Public relations and community relations experience
- Knowledge of group processes and ability to work harmoniously with staff and families
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM database software, and web applications
- Strong accuracy and attention to detail
- Self-directed approach, initiative, and ability to meet deadlines in a time-sensitive environment
- Strong project management and time management skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with a team
- Current CPR/AED and First Aid certification, or ability to complete certification
- Willingness to complete lifeguard and ropes training
- Ability to live onsite; housing is provided
- Ability to frequently stand and walk on uneven terrain in varying weather
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
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The Company
What We Do
The YMCA is a worldwide youth organization focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, aiming to put Christian values into practice by developing a healthy body, mind, and spirit.
