Assistant Director of Staff
Camp Ten Oaks
Launched in 2004, Camp Ten Oaks is a one-week, sleep-away camp for children and youth from 2SLGBTQ+ identities, families, and communities ages 8-17. Camp Ten Oaks is the first and only summer camp of its kind in Canada, and is a program of the Ten Oaks Project. Our programming variety allows campers to receive instruction, strengthen old skills and develop new ones with the option to participate in outdoor adventure, waterfront, arts, social justice activities, and sports.
Camp Ten Oaks works from a camper-centered, anti-oppressive, and anti-racist framework. Camp Ten Oaks strives to offer an environment as diverse as the campers who enjoy our camp programming.
Assistant Director of staff
The Assistant Director (AD) of Staff is a member of the Leadership Team. With support from the Camp Director and Programs Manager, the AD of Staff is responsible for recruitment and selection of camp staff, and supervising the Camp Counsellors, Camp Counsellors with Lifeguarding Qualifications, Oak Tree Program Coordinators, and Craft Shack Programmer. The time commitment for this position is April to September (pre-camp, at camp, and post-camp).
Roles and Responsibilities
- Oversee daily staff operations
- Ensure staff understand and are well supported in their roles
- Provide leadership and guidance to volunteers from an Anti-Oppressive Practice
- Maintain the confidentiality of staff and campers
Pre camp:
- Lead recruitment efforts to yield diverse pool of applicants for staff positions
- Review staff applications
- Along with Hiring Committee (consists of the Ten Oaks Project’s Programs Manager, Camp Ten Oaks Director and a former volunteer/camper/parent), conduct two rounds of interviews
- Assist Leadership Team in program design
- Orient and support staff in collaboration with the Leadership Team
- Organize camp counsellor schedules, including rest periods
During camp:
- Support staff in their roles
- Conduct daily check-ins with all staff
- Interact with campers via activities such as round-ups, meal times, etc.
Post camp:
- Complete an end of summer review with recommendations of next camping season
- Create written performance evaluations of Staff Support Specialist, Camp Counsellors, Camp Counsellors with Lifeguarding Qualifications, Oak Tree Program Coordinators, and Program Support Staff
Skills and Qualifications
- Demonstrated understanding of the needs of children and youth from 2SLGBTQ+ identities, families, and communities
- Demonstrated understanding of anti-racism and anti-oppressive practice
- Experience putting together and providing training, guidance, support, and leadership to volunteer teams
- Experience in group facilitation
- Experience supporting teams working with children
- Training or experience in crisis intervention is an asset
- Background or interest in social services, social work, or recreation is an asset
- Standard First Aid & CPR C
- Completion of a police record check for the vulnerable sector
Time Commitment
The time commitment is from May to September. On-site requirements at camp include the Staff Orientation weekend from May 13th – 15th, CTO East (Kingston, ON) July 29th – Aug 7th, and CTO West (London, ON) Aug 23rd – 30th. Off-site requirements include developing and implementing risk management strategies (May- June), reviewing camper and staff medical details, volunteer evaluations, and de-briefs (September- October).
remuneration
Since 2018, we have moved from a volunteer staff team to hiring all roles as paid staff. This change comes from an effort to make it easier for CTO staff to join us for both weeks of camp; to take valuable time away from their lives and jobs to support our campers. Pay for positions on the leadership team is $600/week.
Commitment to Equity
In keeping with the Ten Oaks Project’s commitment to equity, applicants are strongly encouraged to self-identify in their applications. Applicants are encouraged to share accessibility needs in the application process, and every attempt will be made to accommodate them.
All returning staff are asked to reapply every year regardless of their previous roles at camp. We do this to ensure our commitment to disrupting historical patterns of power in the camping industry. Any new staff interested in learning about any roles are encouraged to reach out to the Programs Manager for more information at camp@tenoaksproject.org.
Selection Process
Applicants will be selected based on experience, skills, and demonstrated commitments aligned with the goals of Camp Ten Oaks.
How to Apply
Applications for all leadership positions will be open until 11:59 PM on Friday, March 4th, 2022.
If you are a returning staff member, please submit a letter of intent outlining what role you are interested in taking on, any opportunities for growth you see for camp from within your role, as well as any personal goals you may seek you explore or accomplish while at camp this summer.
Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for your interest.