Program Director
Number of Positions: 2
Reports To: Camp Director
Locations: Camp Woodeden (London, ON) and Camp Merrywood (Perth, ON) each require 1 Program Director
Employment Dates and Compensation:
Pre-season: Jan 2024 – May 2024. 5-10hrs/week, remote, flexible. $20/hr.
Camp Merrywood Onsite: May 2024 – August 2024. $115/day + meals and accommodation
Camp Woodeden Onsite: May 2024 – August 2024. 115/day + meals and accommodation
Overview
At Easter Seals Ontario, we provide overnight camping opportunities for kids and young adults with physical disabilities. Each summer we welcome staff from all over the world and pride ourselves on providing an awesome pre-camp training, so our staff are equipped with all the skills they need to give our campers a great experience. Our camps make many traditional summer camp activities accessible and inclusive, such as swimming, boating, archery, high ropes, and more! Check out our website to learn more about our locations in Perth, Ontario and London, Ontario.
Reporting directly to the Camp Director, the Program Director is an integral part of the Leadership Team and shares responsibility for planning, implementing, and overseeing an inclusive, anti- oppressive, camper-focused camp program and culture. The PD directly supervises the Program Counsellors (except for the pool, waterfront, and challenge course Counsellors), is responsible for overseeing all aspects of camp programs, including the planning and implementation of camp-wide and evening programs, creating the program schedule, and ensuring that all programs are meeting risk management standards and delivering a camper-focused experience.
Summary of Essential Job Functions
- Work as an integral member of the Leadership Team.
- Assists in the recruitment and hiring of land program staff.
- Assists in planning staff training/pre-camp and provide opportunities for staff development throughout the summer and shares responsibility for planning, implementing, and overseeing an inclusive, anti- oppressive, camper-focused camp program and culture.
- Work with the other members of the leadership team to implement a risk management plan.
- Develop program goals that follow Easter Seals Ontario camping goals & objectives.
- Prepare and implement the training program for the program staff.
- Ensures that the camp’s land programs are of a high quality, challenging, creative, and safe for campers of all ages and abilities.
- Conduct ongoing program evaluations to ensure that the programs are meeting the needs of the campers.
- Pro-actively identify and solve problems and areas of concern.
- Meet regularly with the land program staff.
- Remain visible and accessible by participating in camp programs when able.
- Supervise and evaluate the land program staff on a regular basis, both formally and informally based upon their personal goals and job expectations and provide them with a written and oral evaluation throughout their contract.
- Ensure proper completion and timely submission of all reports.
- Be familiar with the Ontario Camping Association standards and Ontario regulations pertaining to recreational camping and those regulations specific to activity areas including but not limited to public pools, archery, sailing, canoeing, high ropes. Ensure that these standards are enforced during program facilitation.
- Adhere to and support all camp policies and procedures as detailed in the Camp Resource Manual and Leadership Team Manual.
- Perform any other duties as assigned by the Camp Director.
Physical Aspects of the Position
- Ability to communicate and work with groups and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff.
- Ability to observe camper and staff behaviour and apply appropriate behaviour-management techniques, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures.
- Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.
- Able to manage lifting, some bending, stooping, and stretching as well as daily exposure to the sun and heat and varying environmental conditions.
- Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.
Minimum Requirements
1-2 years senior camp experience preferred, G Class license or willing to obtain, Experience instructing adaptive sport is an asset. Preference given to those who have studied in a child development related field. Standard First Aid/CPR certification is required prior to the start of the camping season.
Other Considerations
- Work part-time offsite from December – May and full-time onsite from May – August.
- Easter Seals Ontario camps are fully accessible and provide camping experiences to kids and young adults with disabilities.
- Must provide clear background check.
- It is required that all staff be fully vaccinated against Covid19 and follow the health and safety recommendations provided by Provincial and Regional Health Units.
- Camp staff members are required to participate fully in the camp activities. This may include swimming every day, sailing, dressing-up and working with children/youth all day.
- Should be capable of lifting and transferring 15 – 25 kgs in a safe manner.
- June – August eight-day work period, 24 hours/day on call with scheduled breaks throughout the day and three days off between sessions.
- Onsite housing provided for camping season; meals provided during camp sessions.
- Required to be on-call for one of the changeover periods during the summer.
Easter Seals Ontario welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Easter Seals Ontario fosters an environment of inclusivity, empowerment, and safety for participants and staff alike. Easter Seals Ontario is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, colour, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical, mental or sensory ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws of Ontario.
Apply now!
Please note: The approximate time the application will take to fill out is 20-30 minutes, you will be required to submit a resume at the end of the application. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not be hesitant to email Katrina, Recreational Administrator at kvanderkolff@easterseals.org.