Assistant Camp Manager
The Assistant Science Camp Manager will act as an ambassador of Youth Science Institute, demonstrating our mission and values in a positive and professional manner; serving as a role model of YSI's mission to inspire enthusiasm for science and a love of learning. YSI Summer Science Camps are offered to children in preschool (3 ½ years old) up through entering 6th grade, and each camp is designed for and taught to a specific age group. The Assistant Summer Camp Manager will support the Program Manager in the months leading up to and during Summer Science Camp by assisting in the design and implementation of camp programs that meets the needs and interests of the campers and their parents. This position will also be responsible for seasonal staff recruitment, interviewing, and hiring. Creating a collaborative and safe environment in a quality manner for campers by assisting in the daily operation of the summer camp and ensuring the delivery of programs is a main function of the position. Other duties may include joining a camp for additional camper support, providing breaks for the Summer Science Camp team, assisting in opening and closing activities, and supporting set-up and clean-up. They will also be responsible for communication with Summer Science Camp Instructors and with camp parents.
Schedule:
This seasonal position will be scheduled to work Monday through Friday at YSI’s Vasona Park location. Assistant Camp Manager will ideally work all nine weeks of YSI Summer Science Camp. The weeks of camp are June 10 – August 12, 2023. The shift may vary by week, depending on coverage for morning shifts during camp times or afternoon shifts during extended camp times. In the months leading up to the start of camp, the Assistant Camp Manager will generally be scheduled Tuesday – Saturday and will also assist teaching programs Tuesday – Friday. There are additional paid orientation meetings and training sessions required for all camp staff that may be attended by the Assistant Camp Manager.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Positive and enthusiastic customer service with camp families and other visitors.
• Exhibit maturity, diplomacy and common sense in working with parents, children, staff, and other YSI constituents.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of children attending camps.
• Assist Camp Manager in overall support and management of camp staff and in the daily functioning and management of summer camp.
• Provide guidance and support to instructors teaching hands-on environmental, biological, physical, and social science camps and activities in a mostly-outdoor summer camp setting; providing coverage as needed.
• Provide constructive feedback to instructors.
• Contribute to and participate in daily opening and closing ceremonies, all-camp activities, and snack & lunch supervision and programming.
• Supervise preparation and cleanup of camps taught, including returning all kits, curricula, and other items to YSI.
• Help instructors understand and interpret materials and curricula provided by YSI.
• Maintain indoor and outdoor facilities including set-up, clean-up and restocking used items.
• Work with the Program Manager to make sure check-in and checkout times during camp are effectively managed.
• Assist in updating and improving camp materials and curricula provided by YSI.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Program Manager, Education Manager, or Executive Director.
Years of experience:
2 or more years of experience working with children in formal learning settings; examples: teacher, coach, tutor, mentor, teaching assistant, museum guide, interpretive ranger, scout leader, or community volunteer. Prior summer camp experience is a plus.
Education:
College Degree in science, education, environmental studies, or comparable experience.
Certification:
Must have and maintain current certification by a nationally recognized provider of training for adult and child First Aid, CPR, and AED; acquired by end of first 30 days at YSI.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
• Demonstrate professionalism and accountability.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills including excellent customer service skills.
• Computer literate in Word, Excel and PowerPoint programs.
• Acute attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively in a high-functioning team environment, juggle multiple tasks, and respond to changing priorities.
• Openness to feedback and desire to grow professionally.
• Ability to interface daily with children, parents, the public, and YSI staff in a positive, professional manner.
• Excellent people skills and personable, helpful, friendly attitude with ability to listen and respond to questions· Ability to work with, and respond to, the public under pressure.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible as priorities shift, and willing to take on variety of tasks.
• Knowledge of Next Generations Science Standards (NGSS) preferred.
• Passionate and enthusiastic about science education, nature, working with children, and YSI’s mission and values.
• Possess a valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance if using a car to travel to Vasona Park for Summer Science Camp.
• Must be over 18 and undergo criminal background checks, including fingerprints, through the database of the California Department of Justice and the national FBI criminal database. Must also show evidence / verification of a negative TB skin test reading less than four (4) years old.
• Must be able to submit hours worked on an electronic timecard daily
Physical requirements:
• Stand for up to 6 hours.
• Move and lift items up to 30 pounds.
• See 12-point font and distances of 300 feet.
• Walk and hike for up to 1.5 hours and up to 1 mile.
• Run and/or jog on flat and hilly surfaces and navigate a 30-degree slope. Surfaces include but are not limited to grass, gravel, wet and dry surfaces, uneven and/or rocky soil.
• Hear children and adult voices.
• Communicate clearly and be understood by groups of children and adults for periods of up to 6 hours.
• Kneel, bend, and sit occasionally.
• Work in varying conditions (indoor and outdoor).
For accommodations to these activities, staff should submit requests to Executive Director.
This position specification is not an employment contract. YSI is an at-will employer. YSI reserves the right to modify, add, or change this specification for the Summer Science Camp Instructor positions at any time.
Salary range:
$25-$27 per hour depending on experience
To apply:
Please email a completed Employment Application and resume (internal applicants only need to submit resume) to jobs@ysi-ca.org or mail to:
Youth Science Institute
Attn: Program Manager
296 Garden Hill Drive
Los Gatos, CA 95032
This seasonal position will be scheduled to work Monday through Friday at YSI’s Vasona Park location. Assistant Camp Manager will ideally work all nine weeks of YSI Summer Science Camp. The weeks of camp are June 10 – August 12, 2023. The shift may vary by week, depending on coverage for morning shifts during camp times or afternoon shifts during extended camp times. In the months leading up to the start of camp, the Assistant Camp Manager will generally be scheduled Tuesday – Saturday and will also assist teaching programs Tuesday – Friday. There are additional paid orientation meetings and training sessions required for all camp staff that may be attended by the Assistant Camp Manager.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Positive and enthusiastic customer service with camp families and other visitors.
• Exhibit maturity, diplomacy and common sense in working with parents, children, staff, and other YSI constituents.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of children attending camps.
• Assist Camp Manager in overall support and management of camp staff and in the daily functioning and management of summer camp.
• Provide guidance and support to instructors teaching hands-on environmental, biological, physical, and social science camps and activities in a mostly-outdoor summer camp setting; providing coverage as needed.
• Provide constructive feedback to instructors.
• Contribute to and participate in daily opening and closing ceremonies, all-camp activities, and snack & lunch supervision and programming.
• Supervise preparation and cleanup of camps taught, including returning all kits, curricula, and other items to YSI.
• Help instructors understand and interpret materials and curricula provided by YSI.
• Maintain indoor and outdoor facilities including set-up, clean-up and restocking used items.
• Work with the Program Manager to make sure check-in and checkout times during camp are effectively managed.
• Assist in updating and improving camp materials and curricula provided by YSI.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Program Manager, Education Manager, or Executive Director.
Years of experience:
2 or more years of experience working with children in formal learning settings; examples: teacher, coach, tutor, mentor, teaching assistant, museum guide, interpretive ranger, scout leader, or community volunteer. Prior summer camp experience is a plus.
Education:
College Degree in science, education, environmental studies, or comparable experience.
Certification:
Must have and maintain current certification by a nationally recognized provider of training for adult and child First Aid, CPR, and AED; acquired by end of first 30 days at YSI.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
• Demonstrate professionalism and accountability.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills including excellent customer service skills.
• Computer literate in Word, Excel and PowerPoint programs.
• Acute attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively in a high-functioning team environment, juggle multiple tasks, and respond to changing priorities.
• Openness to feedback and desire to grow professionally.
• Ability to interface daily with children, parents, the public, and YSI staff in a positive, professional manner.
• Excellent people skills and personable, helpful, friendly attitude with ability to listen and respond to questions· Ability to work with, and respond to, the public under pressure.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible as priorities shift, and willing to take on variety of tasks.
• Knowledge of Next Generations Science Standards (NGSS) preferred.
• Passionate and enthusiastic about science education, nature, working with children, and YSI’s mission and values.
• Possess a valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance if using a car to travel to Vasona Park for Summer Science Camp.
• Must be over 18 and undergo criminal background checks, including fingerprints, through the database of the California Department of Justice and the national FBI criminal database. Must also show evidence / verification of a negative TB skin test reading less than four (4) years old.
• Must be able to submit hours worked on an electronic timecard daily
Physical requirements:
• Stand for up to 6 hours.
• Move and lift items up to 30 pounds.
• See 12-point font and distances of 300 feet.
• Walk and hike for up to 1.5 hours and up to 1 mile.
• Run and/or jog on flat and hilly surfaces and navigate a 30-degree slope. Surfaces include but are not limited to grass, gravel, wet and dry surfaces, uneven and/or rocky soil.
• Hear children and adult voices.
• Communicate clearly and be understood by groups of children and adults for periods of up to 6 hours.
• Kneel, bend, and sit occasionally.
• Work in varying conditions (indoor and outdoor).
For accommodations to these activities, staff should submit requests to Executive Director.
This position specification is not an employment contract. YSI is an at-will employer. YSI reserves the right to modify, add, or change this specification for the Summer Science Camp Instructor positions at any time.
Salary range:
$25-$27 per hour depending on experience
To apply:
Please email a completed Employment Application and resume (internal applicants only need to submit resume) to jobs@ysi-ca.org or mail to:
Youth Science Institute
Attn: Program Manager
296 Garden Hill Drive
Los Gatos, CA 95032
