Summer Camp Staff Experience Manager

The JCC Ranch Camp is not just the Denver JCC’s overnight summer camp, it’s also one of the best places to work during the summer. As a staff member, Ranch Camp will become your home away from home as you work to create a community where people can thrive. You’re a hero to your campers; you have the chance to do something you really care about and have a whole lot of fun doing it. Your experience as a staff member is just as important to us as our campers’ experience. That being said: We’re here to serve kids and make sure they are in the safest environment possible while having the time of their lives.  

First and foremost, all our supervisory staff act as a team to support cabin staff.    

All Supervisory Staff Responsibilities  

• Take care of staff and campers by prioritizing the physical, social, emotional health, safety, and well-being.  

• Work as a team with the supervisory team to make sure every day runs the way it’s supposed to by helping to lead meals, participating in all camp programming, supporting and maintaining cabin life, and providing coverage for cabin staff as needed.   

• Create a community that you want to be a part of and that you want campers to be a part of.   

• Include everyone and make sure everyone is included.   

• Jump into the camp life: ride horses, swim, camp, play games, sing songs, roast s’mores, be ready to do everything the campers do!  

• Act as a resource and support staff as they manage camp behaviors using positive behavior management techniques, enforcing appropriate safety policies, emergency procedures, camp rules, and more.  

• Be flexible and adaptable because things change quickly at camp. You have to be able to roll with it.  

• And other duties and responsibilities as assigned: you might need to make your campers’ dreams of a beach themed ice-cream campfire song session come true or become your favorite legendary Pokémon for an evening program.  

Our supervisory team is more than just a support structure. We want you to do what matters to you while you’re at camp.  

Want to spend your summer outside, exploring the back country of Colorado and climbing mountains? We have a job for you. Does spending the morning playing soccer and the afternoon creating art make your heart happy? We have a job for you. Want to design a rocket that can make grilled cheese, but also land on Mars? We probably have a job for you, let’s talk.  

Staff Experience & Wellness Responsibilities 

• Plan intentional, fun, and meaningful weekly staff bonding and wellness activities that support mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health. 

• Act as a mentor and role model, providing staff with MESSH resources, support, and supervision through structured office hours and feedback systems. 

• Build genuine relationships with staff, ensuring they feel valued, supported, and appreciated within the camp community. 

• Create innovative ways to show gratitude and positive feedback, fostering a strong culture of recognition and appreciation. 

• Collaborate on staff training with a focus on self-care, supervision strategies, and MESSH best practices. 

Staff-in-Training (SIT) Program Management Responsibilities 

• Develop and facilitate a structured Staff-in-Training (SIT) program, guiding participants in leadership development, camper care, and activity instruction. 

• Supervise SITs in their bunks and activity areas, collecting feedback from staff, providing coaching and mentorship, and conducting formal evaluations at the end of the program. 

• Plan and lead SIT-specific programming, including evening and night activities, while aligning SIT experiences with the larger staff community and culture. 

• Partner with caregivers to communicate early and often, especially when behavioral challenges arise, ensuring that SITs receive consistent support and guidance. 

• Support summer staff in managing SIT challenges, behaviors, and needs, providing coaching and strategies for working effectively with developing leaders. 

Finally, all staff must be able to attend staff orientations and be available to live at camp for the summer season. While we prefer staff to work for the entire summer, we understand if you can’t and encourage you to apply if you can work at least 5 – 6 weeks of our summer season.     

Physical Demands and Working Environment  

Physical Demands: This job requires the incumbent to have operative auditory and visual functioning. Employee must also be able to walk upwards of two (2) miles each day, including use of stairs and uneven terrain.  Employee may also stand, sit in chairs or on the ground, run, and swim. Employee may lift or body block campers when necessary.    

Work Environment: Working conditions may include being in indoor, often loud,  spaces and spending extended time outdoors under the sun. Must have the ability to work in a fast paced, sometimes stressful environment while maintaining the standard of care.  

Qualifications and Requirements   

Basic Qualifications   

• Must be at least 21 years of age  

• Master’s or higher degree in a mental health related field (degree in progress or recent graduates are also welcomed to apply) 

• At least two years' experience in supporting children, teenagers, and/or adult mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health - in proactive and reactive ways  

• Strong oral and written communication skills - must be able to communicate efficiently with staff  

• Maturity and professionalism; must be able to work effectively with their counterparts, coach and support staff working with their campers, address needs of campers discretely, and maintain confidentiality in work with campers, staff, and parents  

• High-level organizational skills  

• Satisfactorily fulfill requirements for employment at the Staenberg-Loup JCC, including: background screening, three references, documentation, and compliance with CDHS law.    

• Must be high-energy, enthusiastic, creative, and open-minded  

Preferred Qualifications:    

• Prior experience working in camping preferred, or prior relevant recreation/youth work experience with young adults between the ages of 17-25  

• Current First Aid and CPR Certifications  

• Must be high-energy, enthusiastic, creative, and open-minded!   

Preferred Qualifications:    

• Previous experience in a camp environment   

• First Aid and CPR Certifications  

Benefits Overview   

This is a seasonal job and is therefore ineligible for benefits.   

Please note: This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive statement of every duty and responsibility which will ever be required of an employee in this position; however, the employee will be held responsible for all duties assigned.   

The Jewish Community Center values diversity and inclusiveness and is an equal opportunity employer.