Job Descriptions

Job Title: Counselor

Reports to: CEO & Rosh Edah (Unit Head)

Position Purpose: Counselors are the primary caregivers for each camper. Our counselors are responsible for planning, teaching, coordinating, and carrying out activities and guiding campers in their personal growth and daily living skills.

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Assist in the direction, supervision, and organization of campers in their tzrif (bunk) and edah (division), within activities and throughout the camp in order to meet our intended camper outcomes.
  2. Supervise the health and safety of your campers. This includes close monitoring to insure: healthy eating, adequate sleep, cleanliness of bunk, and appropriate behavior.  You must ensure that campers receive their medications as directed by our Health Center staff.
  3. Create a safe, positive environment for all the campers in your tzrif (bunk). You must remain aware of the inter-personal dynamics between your campers, and work to create a cohesive, happy group.
  4. Apply basic youth development principles in working with campers through communication, relationship development, respect for diversity, involvement and empowerment of youth.
  5. Assure campers are always properly supervised.  This includes but isn’t limited to: wakeup, t’fillot (prayers), meals, rest hour, bunk activity time, camper free time, evening programs, and bedtime.  Regular night-time shmirah coverage.
  6. Be aware of and implement safety guidelines.
  7. Be a positive Jewish role model for your campers.
  8. Participate in the development and implementation of program activities for campers within the mission and outcomes.  Actively participate in all program areas as assigned.
  9. Be alert to equipment and facilities to ensure all procedures for utilization, proper care, and maintenance of that equipment are adhered to; report repairs needed promptly to supervisor.
  10. Be a role model to campers and fellow staff in your attitude and behavior.
  11. Set a good example to campers and others regarding general camp procedures and practices including sanitation, schedule, and sportsmanship.

Other Job Duties:

  • Contribute to verbal and written evaluations and communication as required.
  • You are expected to attend every session held during Staff Week and participate actively.  This includes training sessions, staff meetings, and t’fillot.
  • Prompt attendance and participation at all assigned work periods.
  • Prompt attendance and participation in all daily staff meetings, staff training, and educational programming throughout the summer.
  • Active and regular participation in all camp-wide projects requiring extra help such as camper transportation, opening/closing/visiting day preparations, etc.
  • Relationships: Camp Counselors work with other counselors, and report to camp leadership. Their direct supervisor is the head of their division/specialty area; their ultimate supervisor is the CEO. Counselors generally have regular relationships with kitchen staff, program specialists, business, and maintenance staff. Counselors are expected to be professional in their demeanor and interaction with all parties present at Camp Ramah.

Qualifications (Minimum Education and Experience):

  • Must be 17 years of age or high school graduate.
  • Must submit health history record and examination form, and all other required staff forms, by May 1st.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Ability to interact with kids of all age levels.
  • Understand the development needs of youth.
  • Ability to relate to youth and adults in a positive manner.
  • Organized and responsible.
  • Friendly and kind.

Physical Aspects of the Job:

  • Must be prepared for emotionally and physically intense camp experience.  Staff work hard and work long days.
  • Must possess the physical endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.
  • Must be able to physically navigate the terrain around camp.  (Accommodations are available.)
  • Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.
  • Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.
  • Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury).

Job Title: Non-bunk Specialist

Reports to: CEO & Rosh Anaf (Head of Specialty Area)

Position Purpose: Non-bunk Specialists are primarily responsible for running specialty activities for our campers. The specialists are in charge of planning, teaching, coordinating, and carrying out activities and guiding campers in both their personal and specialty skill development.

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Assist in the direction, supervision, and organization of campers in their program area, within that specific program area and throughout the camp in order to meet the intended camper outcomes.
  2. Apply basic youth development principles in working with campers through communication, skill development, and empowerment of youth.
  3. Assure campers are always properly supervised.
  4. Be aware of and implement safety guidelines.
  5. Actively participate in all program areas as assigned.
  6. Be sure attendance is taken at the start of each new perek (period).
  7. Be alert to equipment and facilities to ensure all procedures for utilization, proper care, and maintenance of that equipment are adhered to; report repairs needed promptly to supervisor.
  8. Be a role model to campers and fellow staff in your attitude and behavior.
  9. Set a good example to campers and others regarding general camp procedures and practices including sanitation, schedule, and sportsmanship.

Other Job Duties:

  1. Contribute to verbal and written evaluations and communication as required.
  2. You are expected to attend every session held during Staff Week and participate actively.  This includes training sessions, anaf meetings, and t’fillot.
  3. Prompt attendance and participation at all assigned work periods.
  4. Prompt attendance and participation in all regular staff meetings, staff training, and educational programming throughout the summer.
  5. Active and regular participation in all camp-wide projects requiring extra help such as camper transportation, opening/closing/visiting day preparations, etc.
  6. Relationships: Specialists work with other specialists and counselors, and report to camp leadership. Their direct supervisor is the head of their specialty area; their ultimate supervisor is the CEO. Specialists regularly have relationships with program specialists, business. and maintenance staff. Specialists are expected to be professional in their demeanor and interactions with all parties present at Camp Ramah.

Qualifications: (Minimum Education and Experience)

  1. Must be 21 years of age or college graduate.
  2. Must submit health history record and examination form, and all other required staff forms, by May 1st.
  3. Must have the proper certification required to run and teach in their specialty area.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  1. Ability to interact with kids of all age levels.
  2. Understand the development needs of youth.
  3. Ability to relate to youth and adults in a positive manner.
  4. Organized and responsible.
  5. Friendly and kind.

Physical Aspects of the Job:

  1. Must be prepared for emotionally and physically intense camp experience.  Staff work hard and work long days.
  2. Must possess the physical endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.
  3. Must be able to physically navigate the terrain around camp.  (Accommodations are available.)
  4. Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.
  5. Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.
  6. Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury).

Job Title: Rosh Edah (Division Head)

Please see the above information regarding “Non-Bunk Specialist.”  In addition:

Oversee the training and supervision of all the counselors on the edah staff.  This includes:

  1. The planning and running of Staff Week — training the counselors in how to be counselors, how to handle the situations they’ll face over the summer, educating them in regards to the developmental levels of their campers, etc.
  2. Dividing the counselors into Va’adot (programming committees) — Working with these va’adot to plan and run fun, exciting, innovative programming that also combine aspects of Camp Ramah’s educational goals.
  3. Observing the co-counselor working relationships, and the working relationships among the staff — Planing staff-bonding and team-building activities; helping to prevent problems before they occur; and helping staff-members work through interpersonal problems when/if they occur.

Oversee all of the campers in the edah.  This includes:

  1. Getting to know all the campers on an individual, personal level.
  2. Working with the counselors to ensure all campers are feeling safe and happy and are well cared for.
  3. Working with the counselors — and getting personally involved when needed — in any more serious camper issues, including homesickness, behavioral problems, etc.

Develop and oversee the educational curriculum for the edah.  This includes:

  1. Plan an exciting and fun educational program that is appropriate for the age and knowledge level of your campers.
  2. Help supervise the execution of this program over the course of the summer.  Work with the counselors as they develop their skills and learn to run great peulot (programs).

Manage all of the administrative functions of the edah.  This includes:

  1. Daily schedule — where are the campers supposed to be?  Proper staff coverage ensured?  Have any adjustments been made to your edah’s regular schedule that need to be communicated to your campers and staff?
  2. Coordinate with the other edot/anafim to ensure a smooth-running daily schedule.  Does everyone where to go?  Ensure there are no conflicts over location, staffing, equipment, etc.
  3. Weekly responsibilities for blogging, taking photographs, etc.
  4. Submitting lists/schedules/program write-ups to the CEO or Assistant Director as directed.
  5. Pre-trip planning and preparation.
  6. Planning and coordinating special events.

Job Title: Rosh Havalim/Tipus (Head of Ropes/Adventure Course)

Please see the above information regarding “Non-Bunk Specialist.”  In addition:

  1. Train and supervise a staff of 2-6 staff-members, plus additional bunk counselors working in the ropes/adventure course program.
  2. Facilitate interviewing new art staff with the CEO, Assistant Director, and Staff Hiring Coordinator.
  3. Order all supplies.
  4. Oversee budget.
  5. Supervise the regular daily chugim (electives).
  6. Be sure all campers are given a thorough safety orientation.
  7. Monitor camper practices throughout the summer, making sure that proper safety precautions are followed at all times.
  8. Teach campers proper safety procedures for a ropes course/alpine tower/climbing wall.
  9. Teach campers proper climbing techniques
  10. Teach campers proper belay techniques.
  11. Organize and run activities designed to build confidence, group bonding, trust, and leadership
  12. Regular oversight and evaluation of staff members’ technical skills.  Provide additional training/support when needed
  13. Provide programming assistance for trust and leadership initiatives.
  14. Run staff programming and special camper programming.
  15. Maintain facilities and equipment.

Job Title: Rosh Omanut (Head of the Arts and Crafts Program)

Please see the above information regarding “Non-Bunk Specialist.”  In addition:

  1. Facilitate interviewing new art staff with the CEO, Assistant Director, and Staff Hiring Coordinator.
  2. Train and supervise a staff of 6-10 art specialists, plus additional bunk counselors working in the sports program.
  3. Work with the art chug (elective) leaders to plan their projects for the summer.  Set age-appropriate curriculum for each chug.
  4. Order all supplies.
  5. Oversee budget.
  6. Maintain flow of campers during the different p’rakim (periods) and chugim.
  7. Oversee maintenance and cleanliness of the omanut and nagarut buildings and equipment.
  8. Provide art support for various other departments as needed.  (Ex. Banners for song/dance festival, signs, backdrops and props for plays/musicals, etc.)
  9. Provide art support for counselors and bunk staff as needed.
  10. Supervise Voc-Ed participant and/or other assistants as applicable.

Job Title: Rosh Nagarut (Head of Woodworking Program)

Please see the above information regarding “Non-Bunk Specialist.”  In addition:

  1. Develop age-appropriate project ideas.
  2. Educate campers to use different materials and techniques to achieve their art/project goals.
  3. Teach campers how to safely use woodworking tools and equipment to assist with the creation of their projects.
  4. Responsible for the safe usage and supervision of power tools.
  5. Be sure all campers are given a thorough safety orientation.
  6. Monitor camper practices throughout the summer, making sure that proper safety precautions are followed at all times.
  7. Maintenance of equipment (working with the year-round maintenance/facilities staff).
  8. Maintain clean working area, free of clutter and dust.

Job Title: Rosh Sport (Head of the Sports Program)

Please see the above information regarding “Non-Bunk Specialist.”  In addition:

  1. Train and supervise a staff of 4-8 coaches, plus additional bunk counselors working in the sports program.
  2. Facilitate interviewing new art staff with the CEO, Assistant Director, and Staff Hiring Coordinator.
  3. Order all supplies.
  4. Oversee budget.
  5. Supervise the regular daily sports chugim (electives).
  6. Organize and supervise special sports events for campers.
  7. Organize and supervise special sports events for staff.
  8. Organize and supervise all out-of-camp sports competitions.  This includes smaller one-team trips/events and our two Yemei Roo (JV and Varsity intercamp sports competitions with Camp Ramah in the Berkshires).
  9. Train and supervise our Roo sports coaches.  Be sure they are engaging in regular practice schedules, and that the coaches are modeling good behavior, team-building, and sportsmanship.
  10. Inventory all equipment at start and end of the summer and at regular intervals.  Manage usage of equipment, but sports staff and other camp staff and kids, to ensure that all equipment is kept in good condition and not lost.

Job Title: Archery Specialist

Please see the above information regarding “Non-Bunk Specialist.”  In addition:

  1. Set up the course at the start of the summer.
  2. Inventory equipment and re-order supplies as needed.
  3. Manage usage of the archery equipment throughout the summer, ensuring everything is kept and good condition and not lost.
  4. Run the regular daily archery chugim (electives) and special programs for campers/staff as needed.
  5. Be sure all campers are given a thorough safety orientation.
  6. Monitor camper practices throughout the summer, making sure that proper safety precautions are followed at all times.
  7. Teach the campers how to use the archery equipment, how to prepare and how to shoot.  Work with the campers to develop their skills on the archery range.

Job Title: Cooking Specialist

Please see the above information regarding “Non-Bunk Specialist.”  In addition:

  1. The goal of this chug is to teach kids both about nutrition and kashrut.  Each item being cooked should be able to address both of these goals while allowing the campers hands-on cooking experience.
  2. Develop a plan (by day, and by week) of what recipes will be cooked.
  3. Review this plan with the kitchen and senior program staff members.
  4. Order all ingredients necessary.
  5. Arrange food and supplies pick-ups/deliveries.
  6. Run the regular daily cooking chugim (electives) and special programs for campers/staff as needed.
  7. Each day, ready all supplies before the campers arrive to the chug:
    1. Dishes and utensils cleaned.
    2. Surfaces cleaned.
    3. Supplies picked up from the kitchen and sorted by perek/project.
  8. After each session, and at the end of the day:
    1. The area that is being used for the cooking must be cleaned
    2. All supplies must be properly stored
    3. All food left-overs must be properly stored/refrigerated/etc.
    4. Kitchen locked.

Job Title: Digital Photography Specialist

Please see the above information regarding “Non-Bunk Specialist.”  In addition:

  1. Set up the photography room at the start of the summer.
  2. Oversee initial inspections and evaluations of the equipment, and re-order supplies as necessary.
  3. Run the regular daily photography chugim (electives) and special programs for campers/staff as needed.
  4. Class objectives include:
    1. Teach the campers how to take better photographs while enjoying the art of photography.
    2. Offer campers education in photographic terminology and the variety of automatic and manual features on basic point-and-shoot cameras.
    3. Teach the campers basic photo editing techniques to improve the quality of the photographs.
  5. Organize a display of the campers’ photos in a prominent location around camp at the end of each chug rotation.
  6. Ensure the photos are burned to CD and/or posted online for the campers to have/share/take home.
  7. Create for each camper one nice framed print of one of their best photographs from the summer that they can take home.
  8. Pack up and inventory all equipment at the end of the summer.
  9. Ensure computers and other equipment returned to proper designated areas.
  10. Assist with photographing camp events for our archival/promotional purposes as needed.

Job Title: Shira/Music/T’fillah Specialist

Please see the above information regarding “Non-Bunk Specialist.”  In addition:

  1. Run the regular daily shira/music chugim (electives) and special programs for campers/staff as needed.
  2. Develop a curriculum for these daily chugim and area of focus (band, a cappella, etc.).
  3. Lead song-sessions of Hebrew music in our Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall).
  4. Teach Jewish/Hebrew music.  Help the campers to learn the songs as well as understand their meaning and historical context.
  5. Work with our limud (education) staff to incorporate music into our educational programs.
  6. Work with other anafim (specialty departments) and edot (divisions) to incorporate music into camp events (such as the camp plays)
  7. Regular participation in daily t’fillot (prayers).  On a rotating basis, visit different edot (divisions) to lead musical t’fillot, teach new tunes, run educational programming, and more.

Job Title: Video Specialist

Please see the above information regarding “Non-Bunk Specialist.”  In addition:

  1. Set up the video room at the start of the summer.
  2. Oversee initial inspections and evaluations of the equipment, and re-order supplies as necessary.
  3. Run the regular daily video chugim (electives) and special programs for campers/staff as needed.
  4. Work with the campers as they produce short movies starring themselves and their friends!
    1. Teach the campers how to handle and use a digital video camera.
    2. Work with the campers to develop a story-line, write a script, and learn how to storyboard.
    3. Work with the campers to assign parts and teach them about filming and staging/frame composition.
    4. Teach campers how to use digital editing software and help them to edit their raw footage into a final video, adding special effects as necessary.
  5. Ensure the films are duplicated and distributed and/or posted online for the campers to have/share/take home.
  6. Pack up and inventory all equipment at the end of the summer.
  7. Ensure computers and other equipment returned to proper designated areas.
  8. Assist with filming camp events for our archival/promotional videos as needed.

Job Title: Digital Photography Specialist

Please see the above information regarding “Non-Bunk Specialist.”  In addition: