What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director, Camp Harlam position at Union for Reform Judaism?
POSITION TITLE: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, URJ CAMP HARLAM
Location: Remote/Online/In person meetings, as needed / Other: In residence at camp during summer
Organization:
- URJ (default)
Employment Type:
- Full Time, Benefits Eligible
Departments: Camps and Immersives – Camp Harlam
Reporting to: Associate Director, Camp Harlam
Salary Range: $45,000 - $55,000 plus competitive benefits package
Level/Salary Grade: Subject Matter Expert 1 / 4
THE ROLE
The Union for Reform Judaism’s (URJ) Camp Harlam seeks a dynamic and passionate Assistant Director to help create a vibrant summer camp and year-round youth and family engagement experience. The Assistant Director plays a vital role in the success of the URJ’s mission to create communities of belonging that build confidence and character of young people, so they are inspired as leaders to make the world a better place and pursue lifelong engagement in Jewish life. The Assistant Director manages camp’s marketing and communication strategy and offers day-to-day oversight of the camp experience, operations, recruitment of campers and staff from a wide range of backgrounds and development of young people as confident leaders of self and others in partnership with lay and staff leaders across the URJ.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
The Assistant Director will report to the Associate Camp Director and is responsible for the following:
CAMP LEADERSHIP
- Serve as a member of camp’s professional team and partner with colleagues on designated projects.
- Support and manage programmatic components of summer and year-round camp experiences.
- Support all Jewish Life programs, initiatives, and efforts on a year-round basis. This may include a role with various activities related to the daily schedule, Shabbat programs, congregational outreach as well as support of the URJ’s year-round youth engagement efforts.
- Assist in the mobilization of campers, families, and staff towards year-round URJ social justice and priority programs.
- Support the emotional well-being of campers and staff throughout the summer in relation to the systems established by the camp to support these efforts.
- Serve as a member of the URJ Camping System’s camping cohort and its national staffing team. Whenever possible, provide support and assistance to national efforts and initiatives of the URJ Camping System and the URJ in general, and play an active, visible role on the regional and national scene. This will include opportunities for professional development and training.
- Maintain a consistent presence as a leader within the camp community with respect to role modeling of institutional and racial equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI) principles, Jewish values, supervision and accountability for all rules and procedures, and dedication in all respects to the URJ and camp’s mission and vision.
- Support URJ org-wide priorities.
CAMPER ENGAGEMENT, RECRUITMENT & RETENTION
- Recruitment and retention of Year-Round Program Participants and Campers.
- Assistance with scheduling, coordination, marketing, and facilitation of congregational visits and home visits/parlor meetings throughout catchment area. This includes travel during weekends.
- Provide tours of camp during the summer and off-season.
- Maintain communications, correspondence, and provide excellent customer service for all campers, families, and various program participants to assure the highest level of customer service and program retention at camp as well as other URJ experiences/programs.
- Manage individual family conversations regarding special circumstances and accommodations.
- Participate in the creation, planning, coordination and execution of camp programs and retreats, both summer and off-season, and the initiation and/or follow-through with projects for the benefit of camp, which may be related to existing areas of operations or new ideas.
PROGRAMMING
Supervise development and implementation of Camp Harlam’s summer program, including all Program Departments, special events, daily and session calendars.
- Coordinate with professional staff and leadership team to ensure safe and successful ongoing supervision and implementation of summer program, including evaluation of value and impact of all experiences.
COMMUNICATION & OPERATIONS
- Develop and implement marketing and communications strategy, including both year-round and summer tasks, targeting audiences that include but are not limited to current families, prospective families, staff, alumni, donors, congregational and community partners and the general community.
- Maintain camp website, blog, and social media presence assuring positive, engaging image with a focus on recruiting and retaining campers and staff.
- Maintain ongoing and direct community with current and potential camp families and staff.
- Create newsletters, manuals, and letters that effectively communicate camp messages with camper families, staff, and other stakeholders.
- Support Director and Development leaders in marketing and implementation of development agenda, events, and outreach.
WHO YOU ARE & KEYS TO SUCCESS (THE MUST-HAVES):
To be successful in this job, you excel in the following areas:
Organizational Knowledge. Understanding of the mission and vision of the organization. Ability to connect the dots between the camp’s strategic vision and reality by maintaining an awareness of the big picture and focusing on how to bring that to life with campers, families, and staff – during the summer and school year. Ability to connect that knowledge to the intricacies of its general operations and functions. Beyond just the internal camp community, be well-versed and willing to learn more about in the general Jewish camping field, the URJ camp system, URJ congregations, and other related partners.
Time Management, Organization, & Flexibility Skills. Ability to assess needs and opportunities for success and must be willing to make changes “on the fly” as necessary, in partnership with the Director and other professional staff. Able to manage projects and maintain organizational skills in a multi-tasking environment.
A “Can Do” Attitude. Has an outlook that is positive, assertive, and flexible. Highly motivated self-starter, willing to try new things and ask for help. Comfortable making mistakes and learning from them. Able to take on challenges with a sense that “I can do it”! A go-getter attitude and personality will help propel the team and the camp to the next level!
Communication and Customer Service. Comfortable speaking with various individuals as the camp community (including guardians of campers, staff members, alumni/ae, lay leaders and other supporters) is comprised of a diverse set of individuals. Open and effective communication and a relatable and professional manner with internal and external stake holders. Strong presentation skills which include a high level of comfort, confidence, and enthusiasm in front of groups of children and guardians. Ability to represent camp effectively and professionally and the URJ via telephone, e-mail and face-to-face communication and able share the vision for the camp and its program.
Enthusiasm and Wow! Has excitement, energy, and drive to make camp successful. A great candidate will be able to stand in front of large groups of adults and children to inspire the magic of camp and ignite sparks of curiosity and interest about Reform Judaism in the hearts of young people and their families. In a collaborative work setting, will love suggesting and listening to great ideas and quickly get to work implementing them. During the summer, excitement and energy for all the camp activities and for being around kids and staff will propel this person to work hard and have fun!
REDI Experience (Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion). Demonstrated experience prioritizing and executing on Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (i.e., ableism, LGBTQ Inclusion, antiracism, etc.) priorities.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Occasional in-person meetings, as needed.
- Live in residence at camp during summer.
- Weekend and evening travel for staff and camper recruitment.
ABOUT US
Every team member at the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) plays an essential role in our mission to create a whole, just, and compassionate world. Our team is creative, thoughtful, and innovative. Each member of the team is empowered to make meaningful contributions to achieving our shared goals. Our diverse team is made up of individuals with different skills and backgrounds and every team member is willing to take risks as well as take action to develop and create big ideas for the future of the Reform Movement. While this position focuses on a particular area of work, every team member is a vital part of our overall success.
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) provides vision and voice to build strong communities that, together, transform the way people connect to Judaism and change the world. We acknowledge that due to racism, ableism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression, that our communities are not whole until everyone experiences a sense of belonging within the Jewish community. As the largest Jewish movement in North America, we stand for a Judaism that is inclusive and reflective of a wide range of identities and accept the responsibility of dismantling oppression both inside and outside of our communities. Through camping, youth experiences, programs, information sharing, and networking opportunities, our over 850 congregations and 15 residential camps create opportunities for our communities to enhance their capacity to build and expand community, engage in meaningful and authentic Jewish life, deepen Jewish learning, energize worship, pursue social justice and develop inspired leadership. Together, our employees and stakeholders, are creating Reform Judaism of today.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please include a one-page cover letter along with your resume, outlining your skills and experience and how you meet the essential functions and qualifications of the position. We look forward to hearing from you! Apply Online. Alternatively, please mail your resume and cover letter to: Union for Reform Judaism, Attn: Talent Management, 633 Third Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10017.
The URJ strives to be a welcoming and inclusive environment that is committed to creating a diverse environment. We promote strenuous policies and practices of equal opportunity and diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals including those of any race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations. The URJ encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with and individuals who identify as LGBTQ .
Salary : $45,000 - $55,000
Assistant Director: Camp Care
BridgePoint Associates -
Ottsville, PA
Horsemanship Director -All-Girls Summer Camp
Mt Gilead Camp & Conference Center -
Stroudsburg, PA
Summer Camp Staff/Kitchen Assistant (Female)
Mt Gilead Camp & Conference Center -
Stroudsburg, PA
