Summer Leadership Development Program Specialist
Job Summary:
The Leadership Program Specialist is responsible for the mentorship of 16-18 year old campers in the Leader-In-Training (LIT) and Junior Counselor (JC) programs who are interested in developing their leadership and career skills. Over the course of the summer, they will plan, facilitate, and evaluate intentional leadership development activities and trainings for groups of 4-12 participants at any one time. They will also collaborate with other camp staff to create meaningful job-shadow opportunities for participants to share their knowledge and practice their skills as they grow into strong, confident leaders of our camp community and beyond! This is a full-time, live-on-site, summer seasonal position with a pay rate of $275/week with room and board provided. All majors accepted provided required qualifications are met. This position is available as an internship by request.
Principal Responsibilities
- Attend and participate in all pre-camp staff training
- Design, implement, and evaluate high quality leadership programs for LIT/JC campers that are safe, fun, provide an appropriate level of challenge for campers’ ability level(s), meet program quality standards, and lead to established learning outcomes
- Mentor, observe and provide feedback to LITs/JCs to help them grow in their interpersonal, leadership, and job/life skills
- Collaborate with staff across all areas of camp to create meaningful, growth & learning focused, job shadowing opportunities for LITs/JCs and provide intentional evaluation and reflection opportunities
- Live in and participate as an active member of the assigned cabin community, including working as a team with counselor(s) to ensure camper health and safety as well as positive, fun, safe, inclusive, and equitable camper outcomes and experiences
- Supervise and ensure the safety of participants at all times
- Follow and enforces all relevant One Heartland policies and procedures as well as all relevant health and industry regulations such as state of Minnesota and ACA (American Camp Association) standards
- Conduct themself in a professional and friendly manner to ensure positive relations with participants, families, community, volunteers, visitors and staff
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications and Ideal Traits:
- Formal or informal experience working with high school/teenage youth in a non-peer capacity, and excited about the idea of spending the summer with young people ages 16-18!
- At least 20 years old by June 20th
- Passion for incorporating choice into youth-led programs, and creating learning experiences by partnering with young people
- Connection to or knowledgeable about one or more of the populations we serve (LGBTQ+, HIV/AIDS, currently or formerly unhoused) and most importantly a commitment to respectfully work with, and honor the identities or experiences of, our participants from all of these populations.
- Passion for and experience with leadership and/or job skill development
- Prior teaching, activity leading, and/or group facilitation experience
- Ability to plan and adapt programs to meet diverse learning styles & needs
- Strengths in: communication, adaptability, empowering and encouraging others, creativity, organization, resiliency, compassion, patience and understanding, safety-conscious
- Commitment to active inclusion and making sure everyone feels welcome, included, and celebrated
- Current First Aid/CPR/AED certification (certification available during staff training)
- Prior experience working in a residential camp setting preferred but not required
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to tolerate prolonged work hours (including sleeping in a cabin with participants and being responsible for participants during the night)
- Frequently exposed to crowds and high noise levels
- Able to maintain constant supervision of assigned participants
- Must be able to move about camp indoors and out and work in outdoor weather conditions