ABOUT EDEN VILLAGE WEST
Eden Village West is an organic farm-to-table residential Jewish camp in Sonoma County, California with a 6-week overnight summer program. Our 3rd-11th grade campers enjoy farming, wilderness and homesteading skills, culinary arts, music and sports as they become empowered to promote a more environmentally sustainable, socially just, and spiritually connected world for all. We expect all of our staff to support, uphold and encourage our mission, which is:
“Rooted in the Jewish vision of creating a more
environmentally sustainable, socially just, and spiritually connected world,
Eden Village West is dedicated to providing campers with an incredible summer experience while empowering them to promote a vibrant future for themselves, their communities, and our planet.”
- We are all part of a small staff that upholds an entire community. You are part of a team, and may be asked to do a variety of tasks that are not listed on this document.
- It is your duty to ask for help when you need it, share feedback abundantly and in a timely manner, and be welcoming, open and receptive to receiving critical feedback.
- You’re asked to practice clean communication, in line with the “Pick A Door” guideline for community living:
In the face of any conflict, concern or upset, I will: EITHER 1) take effective action within 24 hours, OR 2) genuinely let it go completely. Pick one of these doors – no stewing in the middle! That is community poison!
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Assistant Director is a senior leadership role responsible for the holistic wellbeing of our camper care community, the recruitment and development of seasonal staff, and community outreach across the Bay Area, Sonoma, and Oregon regions. This individual serves as a key partner to the Executive Camp Director and plays a central role in shaping the camp experience from pre-season planning through post-summer evaluation. This is a year-round position. During June and July, the Assistant Director is required to live on-site at camp in Sonoma County.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Regional Recruitment, Community Outreach & Year round programming
- Represent Eden Village West at synagogues, JCCs, schools, and community events across the Bay Area through Sonoma County, and Oregon.
- Build and sustain relationships with feeder communities, alumni families, and regional Jewish organizations.
- Coordinate and lead prospective camper events, open houses, and informational sessions in target regions.
- Develop and lead in person programs for current and prospective EVW families
- Collaborate with the team on enrollment strategy, marketing messaging, and outreach campaigns.
- Track recruitment data and provide regular reports on pipeline and conversion metrics.
Staff Hiring
- Recruit, screen, interview, and hire of staff each season.
- Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified candidates through networking, referrals, and outreach.
- Provide ongoing mentorship, performance feedback, and professional development support for tribe leaders (unit heads) and junior staff throughout the summer.
- Address staff concerns and conflicts in a timely, constructive, and equitable manner.
Camper Care
- Serve as a point of contact for camper care health, happiness, and social-emotional wellbeing throughout the summer season.
- Design and implement systems for tracking and responding to camper concerns, homesickness, behavioral challenges, and developmental needs.
- Partner with health center staff, counselors, and tribe leaders (unit heads) to ensure every camper thrives.
- Communicate thoughtfully and proactively with families regarding camper experiences and any issues that arise.
Leadership & Operations
- Partner with the team on program planning, camp culture, and strategic direction.
- Maintain current knowledge of best practices in Jewish camping, youth development, and child safety.
- Participate in year-round planning meetings, retreats, and organizational initiatives.
- Live on-site at camp during June and July, serving in an on-call capacity as part of senior leadership coverage.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Experience in Jewish camping, youth programming, social work, or a related field, with progressive leadership responsibility.
- Proven experience in staff hiring, supervision, and mentorship.
- Deep commitment to the mission of Jewish overnight camping and Jewish values.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build trust with campers, families, and staff.
- The position must be based in the San Francisco Bay Area (required for regional outreach responsibilities).
- Willingness to travel for recruitment within the Bay Area, Sonoma County, and Oregon.
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
Preferred
- Prior experience as a camp director, assistant director, or department head at an overnight camp.
- Familiarity with the Bay Area, Sonoma County, and/or Oregon Jewish community landscape.
- Experience working with children and teens in social-emotional or behavioral support capacities.
- CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Annual salary of $70,000
- Benefits package including generous paid time off, federal and Jewish holidays, health insurance ($50 employee co-premium), funded HRA, retirement contributions, parental leave, yearly professional development funds, flexible schedule, and work-from-home option
- During the summer season, staff work 6 days per week. 4.5 day work weeks from September to April (after the first full summer). Daily work hours expectations scale up and down with the season.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a resume and cover letter to Brad Cohen, Executive Camp Director at [email protected] . In your cover letter, please describe your connection to Jewish camping and your vision for camper care.
At Eden Village West, we know that diversity supports resilience. On our farm, in our gardens, and throughout the natural world, diversity is what allows every living thing to thrive. Eden Village West approaches all that we do, including hiring, with this mindset. Eden Village West recognizes the internal and external biases that often prevent or delay candidates holding marginalized identities from applying for positions. We deeply value the insight, perspective & experience brought by people from diverse backgrounds, including Black, Indigenous, Latine and Asian people; LGBTQ and gender non-conforming people; people with disabilities; Black Jews, Jews of Color, Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews. We also welcome applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds. We encourage all who are interested in making the magic of Eden Village West come to life to apply.