Job Details

SummerWorks Lead Counselor

School Overview

Rowland Hall is an independent school in Salt Lake City serving approximately 1,000 students in preschool through twelfth grade. Driven by our vision of developing people the world needs, we believe in a transformational education that gives students agency and purpose, connects them to their global community, and empowers them to make the world a better place for all. 

Rowland Hall sets the standard for teaching and learning excellence through our academic and co-curricular programs, including experiential learning opportunities, artistic self-expression, and a competitive athletic program that challenges students inside and outside the classroom. We foster curiosity, compassion, joy throughout the learning process, and graduate young adults who know how to think critically and are inspired to make a difference. 

Located near the base of the stunning Wasatch Mountain Range and adjacent to the University of Utah, a world-class research university and medical center, Rowland Hall attracts a diverse community of families. The school focuses on recruiting and retaining high-quality employees by offering extensive professional development opportunities, competitive salaries with local districts and market rates, and a close-knit, supportive community. 

Position Summary

The Lead Counselor plays a key role in creating a fun, supportive, and engaging summer experience for both campers and staff. This position mentors and guides a team of counselors, helps plan and facilitate activities, manages camper dynamics, oversees field trips, and collaborates with parents. While actively engaging with campers, the primary focus is on supporting and empowering the counselor team rather than serving as a front-line counselor. This role requires strong leadership, creativity, adaptability, and a commitment to fostering a positive camp environment.

Primary Job Responsibilities

Staff training:

• Play an active role in pre-camp staff training and weekly staff meetings, both in planning and execution
• Connect with the counselor team and build strong team dynamics
• Facilitate daily age-group check-ins

Staff supervision:

• Supervise age division counselor team
• Address staff concerns or performance issues promptly, professionally, and supportively, ensuring they are approached within 24 hours in a constructive and solution-focused manner
• Quickly report staffing issues that arise to Director and Assistant Director of SummerWorks, within 24 hours
• Serve as a role model and mentor
• Facilitate 1:1 weekly staff self-evaluation process for each member of your age-group team

Activity Planning & Co-Facilitation: 

Will work alongside staff to plan and implement activities, providing training and support. As the summer progresses, staff will gradually take on more responsibility for these activities.

• Create age-group weekly activity calendars
• Check-In/Check-Out, 15-minute time frames
• Coordinate and lead morning announcements
• Plan and facilitate den time and Friday Finale activities
• Provide support during all transition periods, including field trip transportation, snack times, and other downtime throughout the day

Parent Communication:

• Communicate with families about camper illness, injury, behavior issues, authorized pick-ups, positive highlights of the day, etc, at camper check-in and check-out
• Be available as needed to meet with families to address specific concerns or issues
• Help collaborate and plan weekly age-group calendars with the administrative team 

Camper and schedule information: Lead counselors will know all of the information below for campers in their age groups (grades ranging from 1st-8th), will relay necessary info to counselors, and will serve as the go-to person if this info needs clarifying.

• Camper allergies and other pertinent medical info
• Authorized pick-up people
• Specialized den assignments, per parent request or by necessity
• Camper birthdays
• Daily and weekly den schedules
• Den rosters
• Specialty activity rosters
• Staff assignments and break schedules

Camper support:

• Aware of all behavior issues and dynamics that arise within your age division 
• Explain SummerWorks expectations for campers and the safety rules to counselors and assist in explaining these to the campers every Monday and throughout the week
• First line of support for counselors 

Field trip management: 

• Communicate field trip logistics with the director and assistant director of SummerWorks and share necessary information with age group staff
• The Lead Counselor is responsible for ensuring all necessary items are prepared before departing for each field trip, including camp t-shirts for all participants, first aid kits, camper water bottles and snacks (if needed), field trip forms (if required), medications (if applicable), charged and operational cell phones, and name tags with campers assigned to small groups with designated staff
• Explain bus and field trip expectations
• Ensure on-time departure and return
• Check out with the administrative team prior to departure
• Review bus evacuation procedures with drivers to ensure readiness in case of an emergency

Staff Morale: 

• Participate in all-camp staff morale activities (staff buddies, staff breakfasts, dress-up days, Friday Finales, daily kudos, etc.) 
• Recognize and highlight your staff at weekly staff meeting
• Encourage staff to share ideas and offer feedback
• Serve as a mentor and role model for all staff by demonstrating professionalism, maintaining a positive attitude, upholding personal and professional boundaries, discouraging gossip, addressing concerns within 24 hours, and escalating significant issues to the Director of SummerWorks

Skills and Requirements

• College degree preferred; diverse backgrounds and experiences are valued
• 1-2 years of experience working with children in grades 1st-8th
• CPR certification required (training provided)
• Experience working in a camp or daycare setting is preferred
• A passion for education and child development is essential
• Ability to sustain positive relationships with children and their families
• Flexible, positive, enthusiastic attitude and demeanor
• Effective communication skills and ability to work as a team player
• Open to personal growth and willingness to help others grow
• Ability to plan, lead, and supervise activities
• Ability to provide support and supervise 2-4 counselors
• Excellent interpersonal skills

The requirements listed below 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 regularly required to:

• Work comfortably and effectively in outdoor environments, including direct sunlight and varying temperatures.
• Supervision of pool activities is a component of this role, which may include entering the pool periodically. However, reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with specific needs or limitations that prevent them from entering the water.
• Move easily around classrooms, the Rowland Hall McCarthey campus, and off-site locations for field trips to support various activities
• Contribute in an organized and productive manner as a team member of the SummerWorks program
• Lift up to 10 lbs of boxes to prepare/clean up from activities
• Communicate appropriately and effectively with constituents, including students, families, and colleagues

Additional Information

This is a seasonal, non-exempt position. SummerWorks has mandatory paid staff training on June 5, 6, & 7, 2025. Camp season begins on Monday, June 9, 2025, and ends on Friday, August 8, 2025; camp staff work 8:10 am - 4 pm daily. There will be no camp on June 19, July 4, and July 24 & 25. CPR and First Aid certification is required. SummerWorks offers CPR and First Aid training prior to the start of camp.

For more information about the school and SummerWorks, please visit www.rowlandhall.org

Equal Employment Opportunity

Rowland Hall is an equal opportunity employer and, as such, believes that each individual is entitled to equal opportunity without regard to sex, color, race, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal or state anti-discrimination laws. Rowland Hall’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, promotion, training, discipline, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.