New Country Day Camp is an open-tent community that celebrates and sustains joyful, outdoor summer experiences where all can thrive. We maintain a proud legacy as a Jewish camp, comprised of a multicultural community, representing and celebrating the heartbeat of NYC. We build meaningful connections with ourselves, each other, and the natural world around us through innovative programming that is rooted in Jewish tradition and guided by universal values.

New Country Day Camp is a 7-week, outdoor summer camp for campers in kindergarten-8th grade. NCDC operates M-F, 8am-5pm, and provides transportation for staff and campers to and from our campgrounds on Staten Island via multiple locations throughout Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. NCDC is a neurodiverse camp community, and all staff members are responsible for supporting neurodivergent and neurotypical campers and staff to have successful summers.

JOB PURPOSE

Reporting to the Associate Director of Youth Programs, the Jewish Culture Coordinator will play a pivotal role in the development, implementation, and execution of Jewish programming on the grounds at New Country Day Camp. The Jewish Culture Coordinator utilizes the NCDC mission, values, and Jewish ethos to generate recommendations for Jewish initiatives and programming throughout the pre-camp and summer months.

SCOPE OF INFLUENCE

• Direct client group: Campers ages 4-13
• Directly supervises: Instructional team of Camp Counselors
• Directly supervised by Associate Director of Youth Programs
• Collaborates with Program Specialists, Program Coordinator, and Programs Manager

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Pre-Camp Planning

• Consult with various members of the leadership team on the development of the New Country Day Camp Curriculum Guide and visibility of Jewish Initiatives
• Develop and lead staff training session on Shabbat/ Jewish Programming at camp
• Submit lesson plans for all program varieties (Division-wide, cohort, inclement weather) to supervisor and consultants
• Attend pre-camp Key Staff meetings leading up to the summer

Program Management

• Teach weekly, Division-wide Jewish Programming Blocks, incorporating activities that give meaning to NCDC values and seasonal theme.
• Develop and execute 30–40-minute activities for groups of ~30 campers at a time grouped by age and inclusive of varying needs and abilities
• Lead an activity daily as part of Lower Camp Programming program offerings
• Create and implement alternative programming for activity periods as needed (e.g. absent Program Staff, schedule adjustments, etc.)
• Develop, execute, and lead portions of weekly Shabbat celebrations, including writing a story/skit related to the theme of each week.
• Where possible/appropriate, utilize music as a means of engaging campers and staff in NCDC Jewish Curriculum
• Be actively involved in the development and implementation of NCDC Maccabi Games (color war) and other specialty programming (e.g. Tu B’av holiday programming)
• Execute inclement weather programming as needed over the summer

Leadership and Staff Supervision

• As a member of Key Staff, attend key staff meetings and uphold commitment to prioritizing the Jewish curriculum at camp throughout the summer
• As a member of Key Staff, step in to support the general execution of the camp day-to-day as needed
• Support NCDC staff in continuing to develop and oversee the throughline of Jewish throughout each week
• Act as resource for all staff in implementing the Jewish curriculum at camp
• Attend weekly Program Staff meetings and act as resource for the Program Staff to incorporate the theme into their lesson plans
• Task manage counselors and develop clear roles for them during programming
• Model professional behavior for campers and other staff at all times
• Maintain and exhibit a role of leadership at all times as a member of NCDC’s Key Staff
• Establish and promote a commitment to the values, mission, and vision of New Country Day Camp
• Be present at all days of orientation, camp and staff meetings during the camp season

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• 3+ years of experience working with elementary school-age children
• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field or equivalent experience required
• Professional-level experience in the field of Jewish Education
• Previous experience as a supervisor or mentor preferred
• Excellent organizational and oral communication skills
• Ability to successfully interact with children and colleagues of diverse cultural and social backgrounds
• Fast learner with ability to work independently and collaboratively

Role Key Competencies

• Creativity and Flexibility
• Classroom Management
• Jewish Education
• Musicality
• Patience
• Team Player
• Takes Initiative
• Inclusive
• Committed to NCDC Mission and Values

EEO Info

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status. Educational Alliance takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.