Summer Camp Program Assistant Director

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Program Assistant (PA) for camp serves as a seasonal assistant director of Shaver's Creek camp programs. This position is part of the leadership team that supports and creates the highest quality experience for everyone at camp. They will be involved in facilitating staff training, creating program materials, assisting with logistics associated with camp, developing programs, teaching if needed, and cultivating a positive, flexible atmosphere centered around learning and growth. During the camp season the majority of the program day is spent outdoors in the field with staff and campers.

All members of the leadership team float across the various day camps at Shaver's Creek, including Wee Wonderers (ages 4-5), Discovery (ages 6-8), Explorer (ages 9-11), Investigators (ages 12-14) and Leaders In Training/LITs (ages 14-17). The camp week runs Monday through Saturday and this position will generally work 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. during staff training and while camp is in session for six to eight weeks from June to early-August. Friday has an overnight program that extends into Saturday morning. When camps are not in session, the position is generally a 40-hour work week. Full participation is required during all hours worked.

General responsibilities and requirements of this position include the following:

• Prior camp and outdoor environmental education teaching experience; prior program administration experience preferred.
• Abiding by requirements to keep everyone safe. This includes staying within eye shot/ear shot of another adult at all times while around minors and following all camp policies/expectations.
• This position will be working with children and staff outdoors for up to 13 hours/day. Applicants must be physically able to work outdoors for long hours in all types of weather and potentially over rough terrain.

Preparing for Summer Camp (mid-spring through May)

• Assist in logistical preparations for camp
• Aid in physical site preparations
• Prepare for the training sessions you will lead
• Help facilitate any remaining interviews

Weekly/Daily Summer Camp Operations (June - mid-August)

• Lead training sessions
• Gather materials for training sessions
• Assist with camper sign-in and sign out process
• Assist in running AM and PM camp community circle
• Assist with daily teaching observation and provide feedback to staff
• Set out Camp Stamp Puzzler clues and assist in other areas of program as needed
• Assist Friday during family program and as designated on Saturday mornings
• Assist in emergency situations, group management situations, and any other situations in which a staff member is in need of help from a director
• Spend time in field across all programs to the benefit/needs of staff, LITs, campers, and program
• Assist in enacting staff recognition program
• Help with other program or logistical parts required to run a smooth camp experience

A qualified candidate will have a passion for working with children, prior experience in a summer camp setting, patience, a plethora of flexibility, be enthusiastic, want to grow, work well with a team, and foster a desire to make the camp experience the best that it can be every single time for every single person. This is an hourly paid position ($14/hour), with all hours above 40 a week paid at time and a half. Applicants need to be able to commit to 40 hours/week on-site at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center from May 2 through the end of the camp season on August 7, 2025.

* A complete application includes a cover letter (explaining why you want to work at Shaver's Creek summer camp and corresponding skills), resume (containing past work history or related positions/experiences), and list of three references (their name, title, relationship to you, telephone number and email address). Please submit these via: https://hr.psu.edu/careers.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: