Fieldston Summer Camp Assistant Director of Operations

Who we are

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves a diverse community of about 1,700 students on two campuses - one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and the other in Manhattan.

What is essential about working at our school

The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of equity and inclusion deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace diversity of ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs and seek a student body and faculty that reflect the pluralism and socio-economic diversity of metropolitan New York. We affirm both our differences and commonalities, and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives, and see the world beyond the self. 

We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in a diverse environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality. 

Fieldston Future Leaders Camp
The Fieldston Summer Camps have created valuable summer experiences for both campers and instructors! We are a six-week summer day camp for rising PreK through 8th-grade children. Both morning and afternoon sessions specifically cater to each camper’s interests. Fieldston Future Leaders Camp is a nurturing and safe environment filled with a fun and exciting way of learning. We have a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, math, and design-based programming that is experiential and project-based. All of our programs cater to leadership development, confidence building, and creativity because we recognize that each child has the potential to make an impact on the world.  

Position Summary

The Fieldston Summer Camp Assistant Director of Operations is an important part of our camp leadership and will be essential in upholding the camp mission while supporting the implementation of stellar and safe summer programs. The Assistant Director of Operations will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the summer camp, primarily focusing on coordinating field trips, managing associated logistics, and managing various aspects of daily camp operations.

The salary for this position is $13,000 and is from March 10, 2025-August 1,2025.

Please note that this is an onsite role and is not performed remotely. Ethical Culture Fieldston School retains its right to modify job duties in accordance with changing operational needs.

Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Assistant Director of Operations will be:

Field Trip Coordination

● Planning, organizing, and coordinating all aspects of field trips for campers, including transportation, activities, and any necessary permissions or paperwork;

● Collaborating with the camp director, coordinators, and counselors to ensure field trips align with the overall camp program;

● Working closely with vendors, transportation providers, and other external partners to ensure that all logistical elements are in place.

Daily Attendance and Schedule Management

● Working closely with the camp office administrator to maintain a daily attendance record for all campers and staff;

● Collaborating with the camp director and counselors to develop and manage the daily schedule, ensuring a balance of educational and recreational activities;

● Communicating important information, updates, and changes in schedules promptly through proper channels.

Special Events Coordination

● Planning and coordinating special events within the camp, such as theme days, talent shows, or guest speaker sessions;

● Collaborating with the camp director to integrate these events seamlessly into the camp program.

Resource Management

● Managing camp resources, including supplies, equipment, and facilities;

● Coordinating with the camp Office administrator to ensure timely procurement of necessary materials for daily activities.

Training and Development

● Assisting with orientation, training, and mentorship of summer camp staff;

● Having a collaborative approach with other colleagues, including sharing resources and communicating about camp and students;

● Serving as a model for best practices, offering coaching and guidance, assisting with planning and delivering professional and leadership development training, and contributing to both formal and informal program and performance evaluation;

● Attending all required camp meetings accordingly;

● Implementing strategies to recruit and hire skilled candidates for summer positions;

Risk Mitigation

● Overseeing the operations of specialty areas, including the sports fields and pool;

● Working in tandem with the nurse and director to ensure all health and safety protocols align with Department of Health codes and standards;

● Reviewing, updating, and creating risk mitigation policy for general emergency action plans;

● Maintaining accurate record keeping, including but not limited to managing incident and accident report protocols and proper documentation procedures;

● Ensuring confidentiality of student information as necessary;

● Monitoring safety and ensuring adherence to policies as they pertain to the supervision of campers and staff;

● Staying calm and leading during emergencies;

● Maintaining compliance with all school policies, state regulations, and educational standards and

● Performing other related projects and duties as needed and assigned.

Position Requirements
The successful incumbent will possess:

● A Bachelor’s Degree or some college-level coursework;

● At least 3 years of previous leadership experience working in a summer camp, academic, or enrichment based program setting of elementary and middle school aged children;

● Previous experience overseeing and managing the daily operations of a camp or similar educational/ recreational program;

● The ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with faculty, administrators, students, parents, and the overall community;

● Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make effective decisions in dynamic situations;

● Must be a highly motivated individual committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion;

● The ability to be innovative and collaborate with others;

● Proficiency in MS Office, G-Suite and database applications;

● Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail;

● Confident and able to manage physical and emotional risk and safety for all campers and staff;

● A self-starter who is able to work independently and is able to shift priorities and prioritize when necessary;

● Ability to maintain confidentiality in matters of sensitivity;

● Ability to develop and teach workshops;

● Ability to coach and give feedback when necessary to camp staff and campers;

● A positive attitude and the ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback;

● CPR and First Aid Certification or willing to obtain;

● Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance; and

● A deep respect and appreciation for diversity in all of its forms.

To apply:
All candidates should visit our employment page at www.ecfs.org to apply. Please submit a resume along with an email and phone contact information of three professional references.

EEO
ECFS is an equal opportunity employer. Our goal is to be a diverse community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan New York City area, our students, and families. We aim to align our hiring process with our mission and institutional goals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable  local, state, or federal laws. ECFS takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance all qualified candidates.