Camp Tawonga is hiring a full-time, year-round Assistant Director to supervise our wilderness programs, including backpacking, challenge course, teen adventure travel, nature and garden programs. A full job description is below. The assistant director will work September through May in our beautiful San Francisco office, located on the Embarcadero, and will spend the summers up at camp at our 160-acre property nestled in the forest just outside of Yosemite National Park. We are looking for a dynamic team player with skills in staff supervision and training, leadership and role modeling, organization and logistics, creative programming for children, risk management and strong communication skills.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
➢ Responsible for overall supervision of wilderness department at camp including direct supervision of three wilderness department supervisors and indirect supervision of 20 wilderness staff. Must have a clear understanding of all activities, goals, objectives and responsibilities in the following areas: Backpacking, Challenge Course, Teva (Nature) including Garden, and Quests.
➢ Responsible for Wilderness Department staff assignments, observation, feedback and evaluation.
➢ Responsible for Wilderness staff recruitment and hiring, including staff interviews and reference checks.
➢ Overall responsibility for Wilderness staff training.
➢ Manage relationships between Wilderness Department and other departments at camp.
➢ Manage agency relationship with National Parks.
➢ Help plan and lead supervisor and staff training.
➢ Organize and teach at Jewish Outdoor Leadership Training held at Camp Tawonga. Recruit participants, plan trainings, coordinate logistics, and update manual.
➢ Supervise Backpacking program, including risk management, staff, logistics, equipment, and evaluation.
➢ Supervise Quest program including: planning, enrollment, risk management, training Quest leaders, overseeing parent communication regarding Quest and interfacing with outfitters.
➢ Supervise Challenge Course program including: risk management; course construction and repairs, inspections, and equipment; staff training, certification and supervision; establishing LOPs; and evaluating the program structure. Oversee all aspects of the challenge course program.
➢ Supervise Nature and Garden programs at camp. This includes staff training and supervision and ensuring high quality programming. Support the expansion of the farm and garden.
➢ Supervise Tawonga at‐camp transportation program, including risk management, logistics, staff, and evaluation.
➢ Supervise additional departments and staff as needed.
➢ Direct 1‐2 family camps per year and lead other year‐round programming, such as family hikes in the Bay Area, as needed.
➢ Serve as Safety Officer in charge of overall risk management and OSHA compliance. Follow up on Worker’s Comp claims.
➢ Launch Kibbutz Tawonga, a new program for young adults that will live at camp in the fall and spring as a Jewish community engaged in farming, forestry, and woodworking.
➢ Lead Tawonga’s sustainability efforts.
➢ Act as lead contact for site rentals and retreats; direct programs when possible; streamline Tawonga rental process.
➢ Serve on management team with other year‐round directors to ensure excellence in all aspects of operations and program delivery.
➢ Communicate with parents, lead outreach events, respond to parent questions and feedback.
VALUES AND SHARED EXPECTATIONS:
Act as a representative of the organization and demonstrate its goals in a positive and professional manner to all. Demonstrate professionalism and accountability. Take initiative to analyze and solve problems, treat others with courtesy and respect, respond to customer needs, and maintain a high degree of ethics, integrity and confidentiality.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
➢ Demonstrate professionalism and accountability
➢ Flexible, able to meet changing work needs and demands
➢ Able to work collaboratively
➢ Must have a high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations
➢ Must be able to think clearly in emergency situations and to delegate appropriately
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
➢ Minimum of Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education
➢ At least three years relevant experience
➢ Hold current CPR, Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician, Life Guard Training, Challenge Course Advanced Skills and Standards certifications, as well as a California Driver’s License or be willing to acquire these certifications upon hire.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS
➢ Working knowledge of computers (including Microsoft Office, Google Docs and Sheets)
➢ Ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently and accurately
➢ Detail‐oriented and well organized
➢ Must be able to communicate clearly and compassionately with the public
➢ Maintain confidentiality
➢ Ability to work independently and make appropriate decisions in emergency situations
SUPERVISION
➢ General supervision provided by Camp Director
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
➢ Some lifting and carrying up to 40 lbs.
➢ Typing, writing, reading, hearing and speaking
➢ Use hands and fingers to operate equipment
➢ Frequent sitting
➢ Standing, walking, kneeling
WORK ENVIRONMENT
➢ Noise level is moderately quiet
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
➢ Willingness to work evenings and weekends when required
EXEMPT/NON ‐ EXEMPT
➢ Exempt
NORMAL WORKING HOURS
➢ Monday – Friday 9‐5 with flexibility while in San Francisco. While in Groveland at our camp location, the working hours are more demanding.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
➢ This is a full time, year‐round, benefited position. Salary DOE.
How to apply
To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Becca Meyer, becca@tawonga.org.