Summer Camp Director

The City of Whitefish, Montana is actively recruiting for the Summer Camp Director position for our Parks & Recreation Department.  We welcome your inquiries and encourage you to apply!

One of the fastest growing cities in Montana, Whitefish is consistently rated one of the best small towns in America and was named one of the top 25 ski towns in the world by National Geographic. It is located on the shores of Whitefish Lake and the base of Big Mountain – home to Whitefish Mountain Resort. Whitefish also boasts over 36 miles of natural surface single-track mountain biking and hiking trails with 10 trailheads, golfing, world class dining, two professional live theater companies, and is only thirty minutes from Glacier National Park.  

This position will remain open until filled. 

This position will be filled on a "seasonal" "temporary" or "short-term" basis dependent upon the applicant's availability and timeframe worked, past and present.  This position will be filled to work for the approximate time period of June 2025 - August 2025. 

For assistance with online application process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 406-863-2464 or email HR@cityofwhitefish.gov.

EOE-AA-M/F-VET-DISABILITY

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

Assist the Recreation Programmer in organizing, coordinating, implementing, and supervising day camp activities for youth.  Provide quality customer service and maintain positive public relations.  Ensure safety protocols are established and enforced. Serve as first point of contact for summer camp facility.  Serve as the lead employee for camp staff. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

The Camp Director works under the direct supervision of the Recreation Programmer and under the indirect supervision of the Recreation Coordinator, or Parks & Recreation Director or designee. 

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Leads Camp Counselors and volunteers and supervises program participants.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are typical for this classification.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned. 

It is expected that every employee should be on time, fully prepared, every day that the employee is scheduled to work. 

Coordinates with Parks and Recreation department staff in the development and implementation of the summer day camp program.   

Assists in the preparation of staff work schedules and duties; studies and standardizes procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations; creates records, reports, and statistics for summer camp employees and activities. Assists camp employees in planning, organizing, implementing, and monitoring daily activities such as games, supervised swimming, field trips, physical fitness, arts and crafts, team building, and outdoor skills. 

In the absence of camp employees, Director will assume responsibilities or adjust employee schedules to accommodate camp need. 

Supervises Camp Instructors in the preparation and execution of weekly activity calendar, ensuring age-appropriate and cost-effective activities.  

Supervises Camp Instructors and Camp Counselors during the summer camp program.  Provides daily constructive criticism and support for employees in a positive, solution-focused manner.  Issues written and oral instructions to employees; assigns duties and examines work for quality and conformance to City of Whitefish policies and procedures.  Issues verbal or written employee disciplinary actions per City policy. 

Performs administrative tasks such as vendor contract confirmation, final daily attendance reports, cancellations and refunds, completion of Accident/Incident reports, filing, and storage of confidential employee and youth medical information. 

Acts as a role model for children by displaying appropriate behavior at all times and strategically creating a safe, inclusive environment for all participants.   

Maintains youth discipline as necessary, in accordance with City policies, to achieve camp objectives.  This may include, but is not limited to, use of behavior prevention   structures and procedures, established and consistently reinforced expectations for behavior, positive reinforcement strategies, and plans for youth suspension or removal from camp.   Director is responsible for mentoring camp staff in Parks and Recreation behavior management plans and supervising implementation of those plans thereafter. 

Monitors use of recreation equipment to ensure it is used in a capacity in accordance with its intended use. 

Responds to public inquires or complaints and documents such interactions to provide the Recreation Programmer information to consider in pursuit of continually improving camp. 

Maintains active CPR and 1st Aid Certification for duration of employment.  Responds to and documents circumstances requiring CPR or 1st Aid.  Follows the City of Whitefish Emergency Action Plan diligently as well as the Parks and Recreation Department Accident/Incident protocols. 

Performs a variety of other miscellaneous duties as assigned by City superiors. 

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

Performs a variety of miscellaneous duties such as answering phone, typing correspondence, picking up supplies needed for activities, conducting arts/crafts activities for children, making logistical arrangements for an array of camp activities, helping set up tables and chairs for classes, etc.  

COMPETENCIES:

1. Exhibits behavior consistent with the mission, vision and values of the City of Whitefish.  

2. Furthers the mission, vision, and values of the City through excellent customer service, creative problem solving, decision making and stewardship of City resources.  

3. Provides teaching, mentoring and motivation to other employees within the organization through the sharing of knowledge, skills and information.

4. Demonstrates emotional intelligence in day-to-day work, employee and youth behavior correction and public interactions. 

5. Initiates cost-effective actions to improve operations, employee performance, and morale. 

6. Demonstrates a commitment to provide and require of subordinates excellent customer service. 

COMMUNICATION:

1. Communicates effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing, with subordinates, supervisors, the Department Director, and all City employees. 

2. Works cooperatively with all City employees toward the common goal of providing high quality services to the public by exhibiting excellent customer service to all age groups, employees, and participants regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, physical or mental abilities, nationality, or first language.

MANAGEMENT:

1. Participates in development and mentoring of subordinates to achieve a cohesive work unit consistent with the City’s mission, vision, and values. 

2. Is accountable for the delivery of fiscally responsible, quality services in line with City and department budgets, mission, and expectations. 

3. Effectively manages concurrent assignments to ensure fulfillment of all projects, tasks and responsibilities early or on time.  

4. Suggests and carries out procedures to assure the highest standards of risk management, employee and participant safety, and emergency plans. Ensures compliance of employees and participants with City safety policies.  

5. Performs all job duties in compliance with the established regulations of the City of Whitefish.    

6. Demonstrates accountability for completion of work assignments in the absence of a department supervisor; provides timely feedback to supervisors on progress of work activities.  

7. Assists in the development of efficient operating procedures, policies, rules and regulations. Handles other responsibilities and duties as assigned or needed.

8. Handles other responsibilities and duties as assigned or needed.

Education and Experience: 

1. Completion of a two-year college or university degree and two years of experience in community center management, summer camp management, or classroom teaching; or
2. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Considerable knowledge of recreation and/or education philosophy, planning and administration; considerable knowledge of the equipment, operations and staff supervision used in a comprehensive summer day camp program.
2. Documented certification in CPR and 1st Aid, or ability to become certified.
3. Valid Montana Driver’s License, or ability to obtain one before first day of employment.
4. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; proficiency in data entry and report compilation.
5. Ability to develop and direct varied activities involved in a summer day camp program.
6. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, other agencies, participants, community leaders, parents/guardians and the public.
7. Ability to communicate effectively in English orally and in writing.
8. Ability to plan, supervise, and evaluate the work of paid employees and volunteers.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Valid Montana driver's license or ability to obtain one before first day of employment.  1st Aid and CPR certification or ability to obtain certification before first day of employment.  Must not appear on any State or National sex offender registry. 

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT REGULARLY USED:

Personal computer, including word processing software; calculator; copy and fax machine; telephone; cellular phone; portable radio; automobile; bicycle; variety of recreation equipment; semi-skilled or unskilled labor tools such as hammer, level, screwdriver, Allen wrench. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, direct sunlight, cold and/or wind, dust, pollen and other allergens. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office and loud when at the camp center or on field trips. 

SELECTION GUIDELINES:

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.  

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. 

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.  

The City of Whitefish is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.  The City of Whitefish does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, creed, political idea, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity and/or expression in its hiring or employment practices.

Salary : $21 - $28