Senior Staff

Position Purpose

Senior Staff support the Camp Director in delivering a safe, organized, positive, and memorable summer for campers and staff.

Members of Senior Staff serve as supervisors, mentors, problem-solvers, and role models. They help translate the goals and philosophy of Camp Susquehannock into the daily operation of camp by supporting counselors, coordinating programs, responding to issues, communicating across departments, and maintaining high standards throughout the camp community.

Senior Staff positions may include responsibilities for specific age groups, program areas, scheduling, staff supervision, camper life, logistics, or other operational areas depending on the needs of camp and the experience of the individual.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum age of 21 preferred
• Previous experience working at a residential summer camp or in a comparable youth leadership environment
• Demonstrated leadership, maturity, judgment, and dependability
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or leading staff preferred
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to changing circumstances
• Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to appropriately handle sensitive camper, parent, and staff matters
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and hold staff accountable to camp expectations
• Ability to accept supervision, feedback, and direction from the Camp Director
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Good character, integrity, adaptability, enthusiasm, patience, self-control, and sense of humor
• Desire and ability to live and work in a rural, rustic camp setting
• Current First Aid and CPR certification preferred or ability to obtain prior to camp
• Additional certifications may be required depending on assigned responsibilities

Responsible To

Camp Director.

Camp Goals

The goal of The Susquehannock Camps is to maintain a healthy and safe environment at all times for campers and staff and to provide campers with a happy, educational summer of group living in the outdoors.

Senior Staff play a central role in achieving these goals. They are responsible for helping ensure that camp policies, traditions, schedules, programs, and expectations are carried out consistently and thoughtfully.

Senior Staff should approach every decision with the safety, well-being, development, and experience of campers as the primary consideration.

General Responsibilities

• Assist the Camp Director in the daily operation of camp
• Provide leadership and supervision to counselors and other staff
• Support the physical and emotional well-being of campers
• Help coordinate the camp schedule, programs, activities, and special events
• Model and reinforce Camp Susquehannock's standards, traditions, values, and expectations
• Identify and address problems before they interfere with camper safety or the camp experience
• Serve as a reliable communication link between counselors, activity staff, support departments, and the Camp Director
• Participate fully in the camp community and maintain a visible leadership presence

Specific Responsibilities

1. Provide leadership, guidance, supervision, and support to counselors and other staff members.
2. Help counselors understand and meet the expectations of their positions.
3. Observe staff performance and provide timely, constructive feedback.
4. Identify staff members who may need additional coaching, support, training, or intervention and communicate concerns to the Camp Director.
5. Hold staff accountable for camp policies, schedules, responsibilities, and standards of conduct.
6. Help orient and train staff during Staff Training and continue staff development throughout the summer.
7. Serve as a resource to counselors dealing with camper behavior, homesickness, cabin dynamics, interpersonal conflicts, or other challenges.
8. Develop positive relationships with campers while maintaining appropriate boundaries and a leadership role within the camp community.
9. Monitor the physical and emotional well-being of campers and promptly communicate concerns to the appropriate member of Senior Staff, Health Center, or Camp Director.
10. Assist in managing camper behavioral issues using the camp's philosophy and established procedures.
11. Work with counselors and other staff to promote positive cabin and group dynamics.
12. Maintain a visible presence throughout camp, including cabins, activity areas, meals, assemblies, special events, and unstructured periods.
13. Help ensure that campers are appropriately supervised at all times.
14. Assist with the development, coordination, and execution of daily schedules and camp programs.
15. Help coordinate special events, evening programs, trips, competitions, traditions, and other camp-wide activities.
16. Ensure assigned programs and activities begin on time and are properly staffed.
17. Help adapt programming when weather, staffing, facilities, or other circumstances require changes.
18. Communicate schedule changes and operational information clearly and promptly to staff.
19. Work closely with activity leaders to help maintain high-quality programming and appropriate camper participation.
20. Assist with camper arrivals, departures, session changeovers, transportation, and other major logistical periods.
21. Participate in staff meetings and Senior Staff meetings and contribute constructively to planning and problem-solving.
22. Communicate important information accurately and promptly to the Camp Director and other appropriate staff.
23. Help ensure consistent communication across Boys' Camp, Girls' Camp, activity areas, the Health Center, kitchen, maintenance, office, and other camp operations.
24. Respond appropriately to emergencies and assist in implementing camp emergency procedures.
25. Know and follow camp policies relating to camper safety, staff conduct, supervision, emergency response, and mandated reporting.
26. Immediately report suspected abuse, unsafe conditions, serious rule violations, injuries, or other significant concerns according to camp procedures and applicable law.
27. Help maintain appropriate camper-to-staff ratios and ensure staff are where they are expected to be.
28. Assist with nighttime supervision, evening responsibilities, or on-call leadership duties as assigned.
29. Help manage staff time off, coverage, and schedule changes when assigned.
30. Address staff conflicts or performance concerns professionally and involve the Camp Director when appropriate.
31. Maintain confidentiality when dealing with camper, family, health, personnel, or disciplinary information.
32. Exercise appropriate discretion when communicating with parents and refer matters to the Camp Director when necessary.
33. Participate in meals, assemblies, activities, traditions, and other aspects of camp life.
34. Encourage enthusiasm, participation, sportsmanship, kindness, responsibility, and respect throughout the camp community.
35. Set a strong example in punctuality, appearance, attitude, language, work ethic, and adherence to camp policies.
36. Support staff morale while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries as a supervisor.
37. Help create a culture in which staff feel comfortable asking for assistance before a problem becomes more serious.
38. Remain calm, thoughtful, and solution-oriented during stressful or unexpected situations.
39. Be willing to assist in any area of camp when operational needs require it.
40. Be a positive representative of Camp Susquehannock and support the Camp Director, staff, traditions, and philosophy of the camp.
41. Remember — The Camper Comes First!
42. These are not the only duties to be performed. Responsibilities may be reassigned and additional duties assigned as required.

Essential Functions

• Ability to supervise, mentor, and provide feedback to staff
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions in situations involving camper or staff welfare
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with campers, staff, parents, and camp leadership
• Ability to identify situations requiring immediate action or escalation
• Ability to manage conflict calmly and constructively
• Ability to organize people, schedules, programs, and information
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and changing priorities
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries
• Ability to remain composed during emergencies, behavioral incidents, staff issues, and other stressful situations
• Ability to work long and irregular hours consistent with the operation of a residential summer camp
• Ability to participate actively in camp life throughout the day and evening
• Ability to walk throughout a large rural camp property, including uneven terrain
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Ability to respond quickly when needed in an emergency or urgent situation
• Ability to live and work closely with others in a residential camp community
• Ability to model appropriate behavior and consistently uphold camp policies and expectations

Post Camp Responsibilities

• Assist with the orderly closing of camp and assigned program areas
• Help supervise staff during camp breakdown and departure
• Complete staff evaluations, incident documentation, reports, or other required records
• Participate in end-of-season debriefs and provide thoughtful feedback on programs, staffing, policies, and operations
• Identify staff members who may be strong candidates to return or assume greater responsibility in future summers
• Provide recommendations for improvements to Staff Training and summer operations
• Assist with inventory, storage, cleanup, and other closing responsibilities as assigned
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Camp Director