Ceramics Specialist

About the Bender JCC:

The Bender Jewish Community Center in Rockville, Maryland is a premier community center at the heart of Jewish life in Montgomery County, operating a full-scale health and fitness center, pre-school, day camp and variety of education and arts programs.

We create a welcoming and inclusive environment, connecting the people of our Jewish community with each other, Israel, and the broader community. We inspire individuals of all ages and backgrounds to enhance their social, physical, intellectual and spiritual well-being through programs of excellence rooted in Jewish values.

Our core values are:

• Welcoming and inclusive (Hachnassat Orchim) – We open our doors to everyone and strive to create an inclusive and accommodating environment for people of different backgrounds, abilities and means.
• Respect (Kavod) – We seek to create a town square where our community can be exposed to diverse viewpoints and grapple with difficult issues in a respectful and civil manner.
• Jewish Peoplehood (Klal Yisrael) – We create connections to the people, history, culture, and land of Israel and with the Jewish people as a whole, welcoming all Jewish traditions and backgrounds.
• Community (Kehilla) – We facilitate relationship building and a sense of belonging to create communities across all stages of life.
• Working together (B’yachad) – We partner and collaborate with Jewish and secular organizations to build a stronger community.
• Wellness (Shmirat HaNefesh v’HaGuf) – We promote the well-being and fitness of every person.
• Spirit (Ruach) – We infuse spirit and fun into our activities and programs.

Why this role matters:

The Ceramics Specialist is responsible for planning and teaching our art campers ages 6-13 in basic ceramic skills. This position requires knowledge of clay, glaze, and the ability to run the kiln. This is an exciting opportunity to work directly with our community and have a significant impact on the experience of our Lessans Camp JCC participants.

Core Responsibilities Include:

• Plan, direct, and supervise the specialty area program to include creating program curriculum and ordering supplies prior to camp under the direction of the Program Director.
• Clean equipment between uses. Take part in the daily set up and clean-up of the program area, including putting all toys and equipment away.
• Engage and supervise the campers in programs and activities while under the position’s care. Lead activities while maintaining control over group, program and supplies.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of campers of all ages, interact appropriately with campers in a variety of situations, appropriately model behavior and use positive behavior-management techniques – enthusiasm, sense of humor, patience, good sportsmanship and self-control.
• Substitute for absent Counselors as needed and requested.
• Teach staff and campers about expected behavior during specialty time and appropriate use of equipment.
• Submit orders for necessary supplies at least one week in advance, organize materials and provide appropriate numbers for each individual.
• Evaluate current programs and make suggestions for the following season.
• Comply with and participate in the County, State and American Camp Association requirements.
• Recognize, respond and report to Leadership Team any environmental and/or other hazards related to the activity or the program.
• Attend all required orientation meetings, staff meetings and trainings.
• Work with the Adaptive Recreation Specialist to ensure inclusivity of all activities.
• Spend spare time assisting and getting to know camper groups.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as needed, required, or assigned.

You should have:

• Ability to get on the floor to participate and supervise activities.
• Ability to spend your camp day outdoors and walk and travel long distances.
• Ability to move equipment and supplies as required.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Willingness and ability to wear a mask for the entirety of the 7-hour camp day, if needed.
• Current certification in CPR and First Aid preferred.
• College credits/degree preferred.
• Prior experience teaching ceramics (minimum 1-3 years preferred).
• Prior experience working with school aged children with all abilities.
• Ability to engage with campers and staff of all ages.
• Ability to adapt all planned activities to include children with special needs.
• Ability to engage with participants of all ages, campers and staff.
• Strong written and spoken language skills.
• Ability to get to and from work each day.
• COVID-19 vaccination strongly encouraged.

You are:

• Collaborative. You enjoy learning from and with talented colleagues and are excited to be part of the success of Lessans Camp JCC and the whole organization.
• Compassionate. You demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of children served and show empathy in your interactions with those around you.
• Savvy and Intuitive. You are adept at communicating ideas to a range of stakeholders and you know that different settings often require different methods and tools.
• Innovative and grounded. You love trying new things and devising creative solutions to persistent problems. Most importantly, you know how to make it happen.
• Supportive. You want the best for those around you and are excited about their accomplishments. You work to create a supportive environment to help camp staff and participants thrive.
• Passionate about the work. You are motivated by the mission of the Bender JCC and you have a deep connection and desire for this work to exist in the world.
• Informed. You are knowledgeable about child development in school-age children and bring that knowledge to your work.
• You believe that diversity is a strength. You account for the value of diversity in every aspect of your work and you understand the nuances of diversity that shape the experiences of participants, parents, and fellow staff.

Additional Information

Research shows that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they feel that they meet 100% of the qualifications. If this role sounds interesting to you, we encourage you to apply! The Bender JCC is committed to building a diverse team that draws on the strengths of people with a variety of identities, backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.