Program Director

Job Title: Program Director  

Organization: Camp Mountain Chai 

Location: San Bernardino National Forest, Angelus Oaks, California  

Season: Summer 2025  

Position Type: Seasonal 

Supervised by: Assistant Director 

Supervises: Assistant Program Director, Head Specialists, Specialist and Campers. 

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 operation as set forth by the American Camp Association (ACA). 

Position Summary: 

Camp Mountain Chai is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to join our team as Camp Unit Leaders for the Summer 2024 season. As the Program Director, you will play a pivotal role in creating a positive, inclusive, and fun camp environment for our campers while ensuring their safety and well-being. You will also supervise and manage a group of middle management positions: Assistant Unit Leaders (AULs), Head Specialists, and Specialists. This position is an excellent opportunity for individuals who are creative out-of-box thinkers and passionate about working with children, promoting personal growth, and fostering a strong sense of community. 

Qualifications/Certifications: 

• Strong background and experience in camping, education, non-profit management, marketing, and/or related fields. 

• Desire and ability to work with children and young adults in a camp setting. 

• Strong organizational, project management, and leadership skills. 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Must have strong English language skills and the ability to read, write, and verbally communicate at an appropriate level to the duties of this position. 

• Ability to work with social media, Microsoft Office Suite, CampMinder (preferred), and the willingness to learn and utilize new software and programs.  

• Ability to take initiative and exercise independent judgment and decision-making.  

• Be a self-starter and able to work with a minimum amount of supervision. 

• Ability to work with a variety of staff members in a calm, always collected manner.  

• Must have leadership skills, and the ability to motivate, manage, and counsel. 

• Ability and willingness to teach and live by Jewish concepts and values in the camp community. 

• Knowledge and commitment to Reform Judaism including prayers, rituals, and holidays.  

• Ability to maximize the skills and talents of staff members at camp. 

• Ability to communicate with, relate to, and serve as an example to all campers and staff. 

• Willingness and ability to take full responsibility for the safety and security of campers. 

• Ability to give and receive guidance, constructive feedback, and support. 

• Minimum age requirement: Graduated from College or equivalent (21+) 

• CPR and First Aid Certification (Training can be provided if needed).  

Job Responsibilities 

1. Camper Supervision and Safety: 

• Directly involved with supervision for all campers and staff in the unit and at specialty areas. 

• Directly responsible for all unit activities to ensure age-appropriateness and quality. 

• Responsible for the health, safety, and happiness of campers at ALL times. 

• Attends and actively participates in camp-wide safety and emergency response training sessions and protocols. 

• Adapt to stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment required.  

2. Mentoring and Role Modeling for Campers and Staff: 

• Serve as a positive role model for campers and staff by promoting CMC’s mission and values.  

• Serve as the primary and direct supervisor for all specialists and campers in the designated unit and at areas. 

• Liaise with the Assistant Unit Head regarding programming for their assigned camper units. 

• Mentor and develop meaningful relationships with campers of all ages. 

• Mentor and develop all specialty area curriculum and program logistics for all campers.   

• Act as a Jewish role model at camp: identity, community, and leadership. 

• Ability to accept guidance, constructive feedback, and support. 

• Ability to ask for help when needed.  

3. Program Activity Leadership: 

• Enthusiastically lead camp programs for all campers between 2nd – 12th grade.  

• Coordinate hours off and days off for Assistant Unit Leaders, Head Specialists, and all specialists.   

• Oversee the facilitation and execution of all-camp programs (Chai’dol, CMC Games, Maccabiah, Embassy, and Banquet).  

• Participate regularly and enthusiastically in all Judaic programming, including Shabbat services, and Pe’ulah. 

• Organize camp-wide Chugim (electives) and review Shabb’options for all campers and staff.  

• Review and provide feedback to unit evening programs led by the Assistant Unit Leaders. 

• Work with the Assistant Director to order necessary supplies and follow session pre-set budgets.  

4. Group Dynamics: 

• Foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity within campers and staff at program areas and evening programs. 

• Help every camper make friends, become acclimated to camp life, grow towards his/her/their potential, and become part of the camp community.  

• Resolve conflict and create a supportive, respectful, and positive atmosphere within specialty areas, all-camp programming, Shabb’options, and Chugim. 

• Coordinate weekly cabin bonding activities and resources to create a supportive environment inside camper cabins.  

• Run weekly effective and informative meetings with the Assistant Director, Assistant Program Director, Assistant Unit Leaders, Head Specialists, and Specialists.  

5. Health and Wellness: 

• Provide basic first aid when necessary, following camp health and safety policies. 

• Promote good hygiene practices and encourage staff and campers to stay hydrated, eat nutritious meals, shower, change their clothes regularly, etc.  

• Responsible for the cleanliness and care of living space, including pre- and post-camp inventory of the cabin. 

• Ensure that all specialty areas are fully equipped with an updated first-aid kit before each session, during, and at the end of each week.  

6. Communication: 

• Maintain open and effective communication with the CMC full-time team, summer Leadership team, Assistant Unit Leaders, Specialists, and medical team.  

• Maintain open and transparent communication with campers, specialists, and staff related to specialty area programs, expectations, and timelines.  

• Communicate with the Assistant Director regarding performance and challenges. 

• Able and willing to work with a variety of staff members in a calm, always collected manner. 

• Responsible for writing staff evaluations for Head Specialists and other supervised specialists. mid-session (1 week in) and at the end of each session throughout the entire summer.  

• Responsible for writing two blogs each session to update parents on what is going on at camp. The Staff Experience Director will work with you on deciding on the topics.  

• Responsible for creating a camper red flag list after each session for the Camp Director. 

• Responsible for setting up one-on-one supervisor check-ins and meetings on a weekly basis.  

• Communicate effectively with medical staff, RN, and/or Doctor about any potential medical situations or need for assistance.  

• Charge walkie-talkie daily so that the Leadership team always has open two-way communication all times.  

• Use the CampMinder platform daily to check bulletins, leave notes, and document parent phone calls.  

7. Environmental Stewardship: 

• Instill in campers and staff a 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 and part of the Leadership team 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 Leadership orientation and staff week.  

• Co-Lead Specialist Training week. 

• Be a member of the Leadership Team, attending daily meetings and participating in the formulation and implementation of camp policy. 

• Participate regularly and enthusiastically in all camp day-to-day programs and special events. 

• Follow CMC’s Shmira Gedolah guidelines and be on or at minimum two times per session. The Full-time team and programming team will determine what days you are on for.  

• Assist with Shimira coverage in cabins during Staff Oneg on Friday night, and Saturday night and as needed.  

• Submit supervised staff evaluations at each session and by the end of summer.  

• Assist with the closing down of camp and all specialty areas at the end of each session and summer. This includes providing inventory lists, and organizing end-of-summer inventories by specialty area and the program closet so that we are prepared for the next summer.  

• Assist with end-of-summer inventory for related camp locations and areas. 

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, often while leading campers on hikes, nature walks, and field trips.  

• The ability to sit for extended periods, 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 to keep campers engaged and entertained.  

• Spend most 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. 

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.