The Specialist and Staff Coordinator at Szarvas Camp is responsible for ensuring the successful recruitment, training, and management of seasonal specialists, service providers, and volunteers. This role involves developing and implementing curricula, managing specialist teams, and overseeing daily camp operations to enhance the camp's mission and programs. The Specialist and Staff Coordinator will work closely with various departments to create an environment where both staff and campers feel valued and supported, fostering a collaborative and enriching camp experience.

Key Responsibilities:

Hiring & On-Boarding Specialists

Coordinate with Camp Director and Szarvas Program Team to understand annual needs
Develop a staffing plan to recruit, train, and manage seasonal specialists, service providers and volunteers
Work with Marketing and Communications Team to implement a recruitment strategy
Prepare staff application and review applicants based on JDC approved practices
Interview potential candidates on via video conference platforms (e.g. Zoom, Teams) or in-person
Make hiring recommendations to Camp Director and Szarvas Team members
Execute a hiring and on-boarding plan

Curriculum Development & Pre-Season

Create curricula for Szarvas Camp’s specialty areas with an understanding of our mission as well as different age groups, language barriers, and cultural differences
Work with Education and Program Manager to bring camp’s annual topic/theme to specialty areas throughout camp.
Work with specialists to understand material needs and develop a budget for each program area
Order necessary supplies and equipment in coordination with Operations team.
Ensure all technical and logistical requirements are in place for specialty areas

Summer – Specialists

Manage and supervise the specialist team during the summer at Szarvas camp
Orient specialists at the beginning of each session to ensure programmatic excellence and continuity
Have regular meetings for the specialist team about camp programs, schedule, and other relevant updates.
Ensure flow of communication to specialists acting as a communication bridge between specialists and other departments
Foster teamwork among specialists and ensure their seamless integration into the Szarvas team
Create an atmosphere and environment where specialists feel valued
Provide on-going feedback and once-per-session evaluations for each specialist
Write program reports and conduct inventory of program closet at the end of each session/summer

Summer – Program

Create and own the implementation and distribution of the daily schedule for each group.
Coordinate room allocations for daily activities
Work with Education Team to allocate space for evening programs
Organize sport tournaments and competitions for each session
Support field trips for groups during the session including Shabbat walks, and day trips.
Lead and implement choice activities such as projects

Staff Life

Create an atmosphere and environment where staff feel valued for their work
Initiate on-going recreational opportunities for staff such as late-night programs (e.g. Happy Tent)
Ensure staff staying at camp between sessions have what they need (e.g. access to food, internet, program areas)
Work with Education Team to provide regular enrichment opportunities for staff

Administration

Develop and implement processes for hiring in coordination with HR
Update seasonal job descriptions, as necessary
Track hiring and documentation progress in shared platform or project management software
Create contracts for each staff member, volunteer, or seasonal service provider in coordination with HR and Operations Team
Ensure compliance with local, federal, and GDPR regulations.

Qualifications / expectations:

Proven expertise in staff management, curriculum development, and experiential programming
Strong background and experience in camping, youth development or related fields
Ability to communicate with, relate to, and serve as an example to campers and staff
Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and Google Suite
Fluency in English. Additional language skills in Hungarian, Russian and/or Hebrew preferred.
Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
Experience working with diverse teams and fostering collaborative and supportive environments.
Passion for youth development and familiarity with (Jewish) camp culture is a plus

About Szarvas Camp

Szarvas Camp is a 12-day international Jewish camp in Hungary where participants from around the world come together to learn life-long skills and explore their identity. Through diverse programs like crafts, sports, music, team-building, and cultural activities, campers form lifelong friendships while deepening their connection to Jewish values and traditions.

About JDC

Join The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian assistance organization. JDC works in around 70 countries and in Israel to alleviate hunger and hardship, rescue Jews in danger, create lasting connections to Jewish life, and help Israel overcome the social challenges of its most vulnerable citizens, both Jewish and non-Jewish. Our reach extends beyond the global Jewish community by providing immediate relief and long-term development support for victims of natural and man-made disasters worldwide.

JDC has over 100 years of experience providing social and humanitarian services to Jewish people. You can learn more about JDC at www.jdc.org .

Why work at JDC?

The People – What we hear most from our team members is that they enjoy working with others who share their passion for doing good; Our staff aim to use their skills to make a positive difference in the lives of others
A Global Environment – you will have the opportunity to develop a global perspective, working with staff from the U.S., Europe, Israel, the Former Soviet Union, and all over the world
Tikkun Olam – This Jewish value of “repairing the world” is deeply important to us. Together, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of others

Apply now

See more open positions at American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee

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