Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Operations, Resident Camping serves as a leader on the Resident Camping team and helps shape the vision, development, and implementation of programs that shape and define the Camp Chi experience for children ages 9-17. This individual serves as a key leader in the strategic development of staff and camper engagement at Camp Chi. They are responsible for identifying and nurturing talent, designing and executing camper recruitment initiatives, and acting as a vital bridge between Camp Chi/JCC staff and the broader community. In addition, they oversee the daily operations of camp programming, ensuring a high-quality experience for both campers and staff while fostering meaningful relationships and a positive camp culture.

At JCC Chicago, we are focused on growing good kids, building communities, and educating ourselves on the past to make a difference for the future. The largest JCC in North America, JCC Chicago offers a life-affirming journey that builds on the richness and power of Jewish values and continues to reimagine them for a more connected, inspired community. JCC Chicago is an equal opportunity agency that offers career opportunities, internships, and volunteer roles for all.

Key Essential Duties:

Summer Months in addition to off season duties (June- August)

• Lead planning and preparation for ACA (American Camp Association) accreditation, ensuring all standards are met and documentation is maintained.
• Oversee all camper and staff transportation logistics, including bus scheduling, travel arrangements, and coordination with transportation vendors.
• Maintain and manage the master camp calendar, daily schedules, and program location assignments to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
• Process and track invoices, manage P-Card usage and reconciliation, and support budget oversight for operational areas.
• Manage family program registration and serve as a point of contact for families via phone, email, and other communication channels.
• Collect and organize required documentation from staff and vendors, including driver’s licenses, certifications, and other compliance materials.
• Oversee camp facilities and Perlstein Retreat Center operations, including maintenance coordination, linen distribution, and vendor relationships (e.g., entertainers for Family Camp).
• Coordinate housing assignments for campers and staff and oversee food service operations to ensure quality, safety, and dietary accommodations.
• Provide quality and responsive communication to prospective, new, and returning camper families to ensure the highest level of customer service.
• Proactively identify and respond to challenges or questions related to a camper’s experience.
• Provide a community where children and parents feel they are safe physically, mentally and emotionally.
• Provide supervision and training for the following areas: the business manager, property management, kitchen staff and the Wolf Foods contract, and the outdoor adventure programming.
• Serve as backup to the Camp Director in managing the Health Center which may involve working with the nursing staff, campers, and parents.

Off-Season Months (September- May)

• Work with the Camp Director to create, develop and implement the vision of the Resident Camp Department.
• Work with the Camp Director to create a continued forward-thinking plan for year-round engagement with our families.
• Maintain and grow JCC’s reputation as a leader in the resident camping industry.
• Foster and build relationships with colleagues across the agency; determine mutually beneficial ways for various departments to work and program together.
• Work with partner agencies such as American Camping Association, Foundation for Jewish Camps, JCC Association, Jewish Federation, JCRC, JCFS, Keshet, local synagogues and schools to better serve our customers & the community.
• Develop and enhance JCC’s relationship with outside vendors and rental groups.
• Participate in agency-wide programs and events.
• To sustain and build the JCC future, proactively engaging in agency FRD initiatives, modeling for staff the importance of engagement.

Marginal Duties:

• Other duties as assigned to support the success of camp.

Days/Hours/Location:

September through May: Bernard Weinger JCC (Northbrook) Monday to Friday 9:00am-5:00pm, plus evenings and weekends as needed.

Mid-May through August: Fulltime at Camp Chi (Lake Delton, WI)

Direct Reports (titles and FTE%)

Property Manager 1 FTE

Wolf Kitchen Staff .5 FTE

Outdoor Adventure Coordinator 1 FTE

Business Manager 1FTE

Indirect Reports (titles and FTE%)

Outpost Village .5 FTE

Kitchen staff .5 FTE

Pacific Northwest Outdoor Adventure Program .5FTE

Staff Rec Oversight .5 FTE

Perlstein .5 FTE

Housekeeping 1 FTE

Logistics Manager 1FTE

Communications Manager 1 FTE

Business Coordinator 1 FTE

Assist with Health Center

Job Category:

Non BU Prof/Management

Salary:

$75,000 - $90,000 (DOE)

Education Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Business, Education, Social Work or related field; Master’s degree preferred.

Experience:

• 7+ years progressive leadership experience in Resident Camp or related field
• Previous experience supervising year-round and summer only staff.
• Previous experience developing and managing budgets.
• Previous experience working as a member of a management team.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to demonstrate and lead with JCC Chicago’s Four Core Values: Self-Leadership and Accountability, Creativity and Innovation, Teamwork and Collaboration, and Customer Service.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Jewish culture and values.
• Conflict management, listening and decision-making skills.
• Experience utilizing social media on behalf of an organization.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; must have highly developed public speaking/presentation skills.
• Previous supervisory experience of full-time, seasonal or part-time staff preferred.
• Experience working collaboratively with colleagues across an organization preferred.
• Intermediate proficiency in MS Word, Excel and databases with the ability to learn other technology as needed; proficiency with CampMinder and/or Salesforce preferred.
• Experience managing and reporting out of databases.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with various members of the community in a friendly, courteous manner.
• A strong team player with the willingness and ability to go above and beyond.
• Must have strong ability for follow up and follow through.
• Must be highly organized and detail oriented.
• Ability and willingness to travel to various JCC locations and be at Camp Chi for the summer.
• Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license for at least 24 months, proof of auto insurance (with a minimum $250,000 liability).

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