Program Instructor

Program Instructor 

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Job Title: Program Instructor 

Region/Location: Colorado, Rocky Mountains  

Department:  Camp, OPP 

Occupational Job Group: Summer Camp 

Pay Range: $510/week plus food and lodging (valued at $200) 

Reports To: Program Supervisor and/or hiring manager 

Date: May-August (exact dates TBD) 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Terms: Seasonal, Full Time, Onsite 

Supervisory Responsibility: None 

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GENERAL PURPOSE: The Program Instructor is responsible for planning, directing, and implementing general and specialized camp programming for groups of campers during overnight and troop day camp sessions at a Girl Scouts of Colorado (GSCO) camp property. This position is responsible for the care and keep of assigned areas as well as all equipment therein. Additionally, this role supports the property, hospitality, operational, program, health, & cabin leadership team as needed as part of the camp team. A primary function of this, and every other job at camp is to ensure that each member, guest, and visitor receives the highest caliber of service. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES ***(Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job) 

General Responsibilities 

• Provide and/or support emergency procedures during on-site and off-site trip incidents.  

• Provide and/or support health and wellness practices.  

• Provide support as necessary to all operational, cabin leadership, and health staff.  

• Support the work of the site, kitchen, and housekeeping staff as needed. 

• Responsible for the care & management of camp and program equipment, including storage, maintenance, and usage in coordination with fellow team members. 

Program Responsibilities 

• Plan, direct, implement, and evaluate a variety of camp programs for groups of campers during overnight, troop day, and family camp sessions.  

• Develop and direct a program of activities based on specialty themes, which provides opportunities for campers to plan programs, experience variety, challenge, and progression suitable to their age, readiness, and ability. 

• Actively participate in various general and specialized camp programs. 

• Responsible for the cleanliness, care, maintenance, and inventory of assigned areas, equipment & program materials.  

Camper Leadership & Supervision  

• Provide support in camper leadership and supervision, while acting ‘in loco parentis’ as an active member of the camp staff. 

• Support fellow staff in the leadership and supervision of Program Aide campers. 

• Support & counsel campers in daily living, camp activities, and developing peer relationships.  

Staff Leadership & Supervision 

• Provide staff education in the delivery of programs conducted by various staff members.  

• Support the work of fellow program staff, working in tandem as a team. 

• Train & orient of proper use of assigned areas, equipment, and materials. 

• Verify staff competence before assigning them supervisory role. Monitor their performance throughout the season.  

Administration  

• Manage administrative responsibilities in a timely, independent, and detail-oriented manner.  

• Work on the development, review, and assist in the creation of daily, weekly, and activity schedules, in cooperation with other staff, based on camp program, camper planning, and camp goals.  

• Provide accurate logs, forms, inventory, and record keeping. 

• Provide & participate in camper and staff feedback forms as necessary for the overall camp’s strategic planning.  

• Participate in regular staff meetings and training for planning purposes, communication resolutions, and carrying out assignments.  

• Coordinate and communicate schedules to campers & staff as necessary.  

• Carry out ongoing observations to assure that goals and expectations of leadership & program delivery are positive and appropriate. 

• Interact with digital systems including WorkBright, Slack, Instagram, & Facebook.  

• Respect the confidential nature of all information pertaining to staff, volunteers, and campers. 

• Follow policies, procedures, and standards set by the American Camping Association, Girl Scouts Safety Activity Checkpoints, Colorado Department of Health and Human Services, and other certifying industry organizations. 

PRIMARY CROSS-FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

• In accordance with the philosophy of Girl Scouts of Colorado, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description. 

• Support the efforts and commitments of Girl Scouts of Colorado in pluralism and diversity throughout the organization and within each community served. 

• Embrace diversity and inclusiveness by contributing to positive relationships between diverse racial, ethnic, and social groups in the Council as a whole and between employees and volunteers. 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS 

Education and/or Formal Training  

• High school diploma or GED and at least one year of college or equivalent work experience. 

• Must have current OR willingness to obtain the following certifications: First Aid/CPR, Child Abuse Mandated Reporter, Universal Standard Precautions, Medication Administration, USA Archery Level 1, and possibly WFA/WFR, Lifeguard, and Small Craft Safety Facilitation.  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience 

• Experience working with children.  

• Preferred experience working in an outdoor program and/or camp setting. 

• Experience teaching or facilitating a variety of programs/activities for children. 

• Working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.  

• Experience in leadership of children, peers, or staff.  

• Willing to provide innovative and engaging program development and facilitation in an informal, outdoor setting. 

Additional Requirements 

• Must be able to pass a criminal background check acceptable to GSCO standards. 

• Must be at least 18 years of age.   

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED  

• This position works with program related equipment in areas such as hiking, hot elements, archery, and other outdoor skills activities. 

• This position occasionally works with farm equipment and in an outdoor setting that includes domestic farm animals such as horses, pigs, rabbits, chickens, goats, etc.  

• Subject to injuries from falls, accidental strikes, cuts from equipment, etc. 

• Computer and related software, telephone, copiers, and equipment commonly found in an office environment.  

• Handheld radios.  

• As directed, golf carts, owned and leased vehicles, including 15-passenger vans.  

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES  

• Camps are at altitudes of 8,000-9,500 feet.  

• Ability to work non–traditional hours including evenings, weekends, extended overnight periods and extended work hours, up to 22 hours per day. 

• Required daily, frequent exposure to highly stimulating and loud environments.  

• Program activities are carried out in the out-of-doors often in inclement weather. 

• Willing to be on-call at all times, for health, emergency purposes, camper supervision, and program implementation. 

• Required to live on-site in shared housing with fellow staff; and campers assigned/required for supervision. 

• May require extensive walking/hiking >2miles/day over uneven and unpaved terrain.  

• Able to carry, lift and/or transfer at least 50 pounds. 

• Ability to hear, listen, see, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, bend, use hands & fingers to handle or feel, reach with hands & arms, and balance. 

• Must have interpersonal skills/behaviors (i.e. working with individuals with a range of moods & behaviors in a tactful, congenial personal manner, so as not to alienate, or antagonize them).  

 ***Employee signature below indicates the employee's understanding of the requirements, essential duties & responsibilities of the position. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Please contact your supervisor/manager or HR with any questions. 

GSCO will make reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with known disabilities and employees whose work requirements interfere with a religious belief, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship or a direct threat to the Girl Scouts of Colorado. If you need such accommodation, contact your supervisor or Human Resources immediately to begin the interactive accommodation process.