Program Director Job Description
About Hosmer Point
Hosmer Point is a co-ed, overnight summer camp and outdoor education facility with an emphasis on building community and self confidence. Founded in 2010, our programs have grown each year and now serve over 500 campers ages 8-17 during five summer camp sessions and nearly 1000 students during Spring and Fall team building and environmental education programs. Hosmer Point is part of a larger non-profit foundation with the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, and shares their mission to use sustainable practices and teach environmental stewardship. Our campers represent an increasingly broad spectrum of economic backgrounds, family structures, racial, ethnic, and gender identities, with about 60% coming from within Vermont. We seek to hire staff who will reinforce this continued diversification and support equal access to our programs and continued elimination of prejudices.
Overview:
Hosmer Point is hiring two Program Directors, an Education/Leadership Program Director and a Bridge Program Director. Both positions will begin in the 2021 camp season in order to work with the current Leadership Team to enable a smooth transition of leadership. The new Program Directors will take over full responsibilities at the end of the 2021 camp season. Both positions have potential for future growth.
Season:
Education & Leadership Program Director: Full-time, May 15- October 15 (22 weeks), 5-20 hours/week the rest of the year, depending on skills and employee’s schedule (some tasks could be concentrated into certain periods to allow for blocks of off-time).
Bridge Program Director: June 1 - August 15 (10 - 11 weeks), occasional hours during the rest of the year to attend meetings and continuing education.
Program Director General Tasks:
Serve as an integral member of the Leadership Team, making day-to-day plans and far-reaching decisions about the future of our programs
Assume Director of the Day duties in rotation as the point person for supervision of camp
Plan and implement staff training program before and during training week
Support counselor staff as a point person for concerns and by implementing wellness and continuing education programs during camp
Facilitate and provide observation, feedback, and goal setting meetings throughout the camp season for counselor and instructor staff
Take an active role in instructing camp activities for all ages and participating in evening activity games and ceremonies
Specific Education & Leadership Program Director Tasks:
Lead established LIT and CIT programs for approximately 40 campers per season (16 on camp per session), including competitive application process, pre-camp virtual events and educational materials, and instruction and supervision during camp
Assist with planning, organization, and instruction for student groups in late May, September, and early October
Train, supervise, and provide feedback and support to 2-3 college interns during Fall education programs
Work with other team members to develop and implement winter camper engagement programs, such as reunions, new camper open houses, and virtual activities
[if interested] create social media content to promote camp and engage campers
Assist with counselor hiring decisions and outreach
Participate in weekly Leadership Team meetings year-round
Specific Bridge Program Director Tasks:
Develop and implement our new “right of passage” program for 15-year-old campers, including creation of a new rustic tenting area, and further development of program curriculum for four groups of 16 campers per summer
Create new traditions for the Bridge program, including management of a “solo” overnight experience
Build relationships with area service organizations and plan and facilitate community service projects with campers
Plan and supervise overnight hiking, canoeing, or other trips for Bridge Program campers
Serve as the primary oversight and point person for the Bridge Program, including supervising 4-5 Bridge Program counselors
Participate as one of the primary instructors for Bridge Program activities
Qualifications
Candidates must:
Have a bachelors or masters degree or equivalent life experience in Education, Outdoor Education, or a related field
Be at least 21 years old
Have a Red Cross Lifeguarding certification or be able to obtain such
Be able to confidently use G-suite applications, Zoom, and social media
Be able to commit to at least two seasons in the position
Be willing to live on-site during the 9 week camp season and during overnight group events
Be able to quickly move around 52+ acre campus including steep hills and rough, uneven terrain and trails
Have a valid driver’s license
Be willing to participate in a criminal background check
Have a WFR or ability to obtain (preferred)
Candidates must have significant experience (preferably in a leadership role) with:
Attending or working at a summer camp
Youth educational programs, such as teaching in a school or alternative setting or working with an experiential or outdoor education program
Working with middle, high school, and college-aged youth
Group facilitation
Activity and/or trip planning and curriculum development
Dealing with emergency situations
The ideal candidates will:
Thrive in the intensely communal, active, and long days of summer camp life
Enjoy and feel comfortable working with young people
Posses exceptionally good judgement and have a cool head in an emergency
Relish creatively solving problems and building new traditions as part of a team
Have excellent written and oral communication skills
Feel comfortable putting in (occasionally long) hours on a computer to collaborate with other staff, organize programs, and communicate with campers
Serve as a uniting force, confidant, and dynamo for campers and staff alike
Benefits and Compensation:
Competitive weekly salary based on experience and hourly pay for off-season work
Private room or cabin and all meals during full-time work season
Room and board for family members, significant others, and pets negotiable
Family membership benefits and access to discounted or free classes and rentals at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center
To Apply:
Email cover letter and resume with at least three references to hosmerpointinfo@gmail.com.