Leadership Specialist

POSTION:               Leadership Specialist

REPORTS TO:          Camp Director

Location: YMCA Camp Wakonda

OUR CULTURE:  

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.  We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Program Coordinator at Ozarks Regional YMCA ensures that overnight camping programs meet community needs including supervising existing program activities and supporting campers and their staff. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Oversee campers in the Leader in Training (LIT) and Counselor in Training (CIT) programs
• Plan and implement LIT and CIT programs alongside your co specialist.
• Act as a cabin counselor to LIT’s and CIT’s 
• Evaluate each CIT and report to Camp Director
• Act as an assistant Cabin Coach during weeks where there aren’t LIT’s on camp.
• Coach and support cabin counselors on behavior and cabin management techniques. 

• Assume full responsibility for all the campers in assigned cabin 24 hours a day (excluded assigned time off)
• Participate as a member of the Seasonal Leadership Team

• Attend leadership meetings and trainings

GENERAL CAMP STAFF FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Issued staff shirts are worn on check in and check out days, different shirts are issued for use Monday-Thursday. 
• Be thoroughly familiar with camp emergency procedures. Be familiar with and uphold all safety regulations at camp. A safe atmosphere is the first consideration at all times.
• Write and submit parent letters and Holiday Cards as scheduled.
• Maintain a professional attitude toward staff, campers, parents and supervisors. Enthusiastically contribute to camper and staff morale throughout the summer. Strive to use proper motivational techniques and language in all dealings with staff and campers.
• Assist enthusiastically and participate actively in all camp activities, giving leadership when it is required.
• Attend all staff training sessions and required staff meetings.
• Cares for and maintains camp equipment and property used by the cabin group. Must also strive to ensure the preservation of the natural environment of the camp setting.
• Explains and enforces health and safety regulations.
• Serve as a positive example to others in the areas of self-control, creativity, punctuality, enthusiasm, discipline, willingness to work and learn, and personal grooming.
• Follow emergency procedures directly as the situation dictates.
• Create a positive atmosphere within the cabin group, being aware of each camper’s unique needs, interests and attitudes.
• Submit reports as required, on time.
• Actively participate in recreational and instructional swim periods under the supervision of the Aquatics Specialist and Program Coordinator
•  Supervise and guide various activities for the campers.
• Help with camp set-up and tear-down each week and as assigned.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

• Collaboration
• Program/Project Management

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years of working in an overnight camping setting preferred
• Must be 18 years old with high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be available between May 18^th-August 15^th, 2025
• Must be able to reside on camp from May 18^th-August 15^th, 2025
• Must be able to attend weekly leadership meetings on Sunday’s at 11:00am 
• Must be able to align with and demonstrate the YMCA four core values on a consistent basis 
• CPR Pro & First Aid Certification required within first 30 days (training can be provided)
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Commitment to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• This is a safety-sensitive position: 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.
• The employee needs sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions and to safely supervise program activities.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment. 
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

BENEFITS:

Excellent benefits include seasonal housing, all meals provided during hours of camp operation, free membership and discounted YMCA childcare and other programs. The incumbent will exhibit the core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in all aspects of their work with the YMCA