Job Title: Head Specialist—Song Leader
Location: San Bernardino National Forest, Angelus Oaks, California
Position Type: Seasonal
Supervised by: Full-time Team, Directors
Supervises: Music Specialist. Supervises campers at music-related specialty areas.
About Camp Mountain Chai
Camp Mountain Chai is a premier Jewish summer camp nestled in the scenic beauty of the San Bernardino National Forest in Angelus Oaks, California. Our mission is to provide a vibrant, safe, and inclusive community where campers can grow, learn, and create lasting memories while embracing Jewish values and traditions. We are committed to upholding the highest standards in camp management and operations set forth by the American Camp Association (ACA).
Position Summary
Camp Mountain Chai is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to join our team as a Seasonal Head Specialist—Song Leader for the Summer season. As a Head Specialist—Song Leader, you will play a pivotal role in creating a positive, inclusive, and fun camp environment for our campers and staff while ensuring their safety and well-being. This position is an excellent opportunity for individuals who are passionate about working with children, promoting personal growth, and fostering a strong sense of community. You will supervise and manage the specialists in the Music area as well.
Qualifications/Certifications:
- Minimum age requirement: 21+
- Prior experience in music/singing and playing the guitar; preferably in a teaching or leadership role with knowledge of Jewish music.
- Has previous experience playing music in a camp setting, Youth group, Jewish congregation, and/or similar setting.
- Has strong experience in camping, education, and/or related fields.
- Desire and ability to work with children and young adults in a camp setting.
- Ability to creatively plan and schedule programs and activities, and to maximize the skills and talents of staff members under your direct and indirect supervision.
- Ability to communicate with, relate to, and serve as an example to all campers and staff.
- Ability to work with a variety of staff members and campers in a calm, always collected manner.
- Willingness and ability to take full responsibility for the safety and security of campers.
- Ability to accept guidance, constructive feedback, and support.
- CPR and First Aid Certification (Training can be provided if needed).
Job Responsibilities
1. Camper Supervision and Safety:
- Always maintain a high level of safety for all campers throughout the day, at the music program area, and during music-related programming (Shabbat services, Choose Your Own Tefillah, Havdalah, Opening and Closing Campfire).
- Build a strong and positive relationship with all campers.
- Responsible for the health, safety, and happiness of campers at ALL times.
- Attend and actively participate in camp-wide safety and emergency response training sessions and protocols.
- Shmira (camper supervision) at night as assigned.
2. Mentoring and Role Modeling for Campers:
- Serve as a positive role model for campers, promoting CMC’s mission and values.
- Act as a role model for the entire CMC community.
- Help every camper make friends, become acclimated to camp life, and grow toward their potential.
- Facilitate age-appropriate activities at the music specialty area that encourage personal growth, self-esteem, and character development.
- Ability to accept guidance, constructive feedback, and support.
- Ability to ask for help when needed.
3. Program Activity Leadership:
- Ensure that the music area is conducted safely and in accordance with ACA guidelines.
- Oversee the day-to-day running of the music area and music-related programs.
- Directly responsible for the set-up and tear down of music-related equipment and program supplies after each cabin activity period.
- Responsible for properly storing all music-related equipment at the end of the day in the music closet. The Head Song Leader is responsible for ensuring that the area is properly organized.
- Responsible for planning sessions, preparation, and implementation of all cabin activity periods and Chugim (elective) programs relating to the activity area.
- Responsible for creating a schedule for music staff (who leads which activities, what elements are open, who is the point person, and who has an hour off).
- Lead and participate regularly and enthusiastically in all Judaic programming, including Shabbat services, Choose Your Own Tefillah, and Havdalah.
- Collaborate and effectively communicate with Jewish Educator on Shabbat services and Havdalah set list. Work together to create a meaningful and sacred experience.
- Assist musically with each summer’s Cornerstone Fellows to help lead the Opening and Closing Campfire. The Cornerstone Fellows will provide you with a set list of what to learn and perform.
- Lead weekly song sessions for all campers and staff to promote engagement and camp ruach (spirit).
- Support programs planned by the music staff and ensure quality and age-appropriateness.
- Support CMC’s all-camp programs (CMC Games and Maccabiah) with music-specific programs.
4. Group Dynamics:
- Serve as the primary, direct supervisor for all specialists in the designated area.
- Foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity among campers at the specialty area.
- Build a strong and positive relationship with every camper who comes to the music area.
- Help every camper make friends, become acclimated to camp life, grow towards his/her/their potential, and become part of the community.
- Resolve conflicts and create a supportive, respectful, and a positive atmosphere within the group.
- Create a safe space for campers who are unable to accomplish their desired task.
- Participate in and help plan unit, divisional, and all-camp programs as needed.
5. Health and Wellness:
- Provide basic first aid when necessary, following camp health and safety policies.
- Check the first-aid kit every week to ensure that it is fully stocked. Do this weekly.
- Directly responsible for the cleanliness of the music specialty area, tech equipment, and music closet including pre- and post-camp inventory.
- Communicate effectively with medical staff, RN, and/or Doctor about any potential medical situations or need for assistance.
- Document and report any incidents or issues ASAP by filling out accident/injury reports.
6. Communication:
- Communicate regularly with the CMC full-time team regarding music area infrastructure, and music staff about any potential challenges that might exist.
- Maintain open and effective communication with the CMC full-time team, summer Leadership team, Unit Heads, and fellow staff members.
- Able and willing to work with a variety of campers and staff members in a calm, always collected manner.
- Write evaluations for music specialists in the area at the end of each camp session/summer, as well as program reports and specialty evaluations.
- Charge walkie-talkie daily so that the full-time team always has open two-way communication.
7. Environmental Stewardship:
- Instill in campers and staff respect for nature and the environment. Lead by example in eco-friendly practices (picking up trash around camp, keeping CMC clean, recycling paper and/or soda cans, putting lost items in the lost and found bin).
- Ensuring that campers and staff do not leave their mark by adding graffiti to camp property. This includes the inside and outside of cabins and all buildings.
8. Responsibilities as Staff at Camp Mountain Chai:
- Adhere to the goals, mission, and camp rules set by Camp Mountain Chai.
- Act as a role model in camp for the entire camp community.
- Participate in the mandatory pre-summer Specialist orientation and staff week.
- Participate regularly and enthusiastically in all camp day-to-day programs and special events.
- Lead regular supervisory meetings (one-on-ones) with music specialists.
- Write staff evaluations for music specialists at the end of each session and throughout the summer.
- Schedule meetings with individual music staff to give session evaluations before the end of sessions 1,2 and 3.
- Attend unit staff tickets and weekly all-staff meetings as assigned.
- Assist with Shmira for cabins on a weekly basis and during staff Onegs and Staff meetings.
- Directly responsible for the cleanliness and care of living space, including pre-and post-camp inventory of the cabin.
- Assist with the closing down of camp at the end of each session and summer.
- Assist with end-of-summer inventory for music area and additional areas at camp.
- Return music closet key at the end of the summer to Assistant Director.
Physical Demands
- The ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 35 pounds, such as coolers, program equipment, and camping supplies.
- The ability to frequently stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, and crawl, especially when assisting campers with various activities.
- The ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time, often while leading campers on hikes, nature walks, and field trips.
- The ability to sit for extended periods of time, especially when instructing campers in arts and crafts, storytelling, and other sedentary activities.
- The ability to operate machinery and equipment, such as camp grills, canoes, and archery equipment, with proper training and safety precautions.
- The ability to work in a variety of environments, including indoors, outdoors, and in confined spaces, such as tents, cabins, and camp buses.
- The ability to work in a variety of weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and sun exposure.
- Swim and/or pass a swim test to ensure the safety of campers during water activities.
- Maintain attention and high levels of energy or excitement for extended periods of time to keep campers engaged and entertained.
- Spend a majority of the time outdoors and tolerate a variety of weather conditions, including heat, humidity, and insects.
- Be able to bend, stretch, twist, or reach out to assist campers with various activities, such as tying shoelaces, helping with bathroom needs, and participating in physical games.
- Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm when demonstrating activities, providing instruction, or assisting campers with various tasks.
Camp Mountain Chai is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We value diversity in our workforce and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.
Please note that this job description is not all-encompassing. Other duties may be assigned, and the requirements of this position may change at any time.