Job Description:

SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Outdoor Recreation Supervisor, the incumbent supervises the Salomon Farm Camp staff and programs; assumes the responsibility for the care of groups of youth (ages 4-18 years old); trains staff and volunteers, maintains records and greets parents and others visiting the camp. The incumbent is expected to exercise good judgment, independence, initiative, and professional expertise in conducting day-to-day operations. All work duties and activities must be performed in accordance with the City safety rules and operating regulations, policies and procedures as well as federal, state, and local regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the ability to interact with the public, City incumbents, and outside agencies with patience, tact, respect, and professionalism and the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provides input on land management issues at Salomon Farm as it pertains to camp;
• Maintains camp facilities and grounds during camp season;
• Develops and coordinates Salomon Farm Camp program;
• Interviews and hires camp counselors;
• Maintains supervision and safety of campers;
• Observes counselors working with children;
• Disciplines campers and staff; Assists counselors with discipline issues regarding campers;
• Enforces camp rules regarding policies;
• Maintains accurate attendance records, and patron/employee injury reporting records;
• Supervises the processing of all registration forms, rosters, and tribing; Assigns campers to groups;
• Completes office clerical duties;
• Supervises the late arrival and early dismissal of campers;
• Trains staff and volunteers;
• Facilitates staff meetings;
• Handles emergencies and other related problems;
• Facilitates clean-up of Learning Center and other property buildings used by camp;
• Coordinates the feeding and tending of livestock, care of the vegetable garden, games and activities;
• Develops ideas that teach through experiential education;
• Greets parents and other visitors and answers questions;
• Follows and enforces safety rules and reports any irregularities and/or abnormal conditions to Supervisor - Outdoor Recreation;
• Assigns daily duties to staff;
• Verifies camper information;
• Contacts parents with any problems or concerns regarding campers;
• Creates work schedules for staff;
• Creates grocery list for craft and food needs;
• Maintains accurate records of receipts for reporting to the Parks and Recreation Department;
• Supervises cleaning duties assigned to counselors;
• Meets with counselors-in-training to discuss rules and behavioral expectations;
• Facilitates staff meetings and maintains staff timecards;
• Answers the telephone, take messages, answer emails, and return all call and messages;
• Assists in updating camp brochure;
• Assists with the compiling of staff manuals;
• Handles emergencies and other related problems including parent questions, complaints and concerns.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Performs other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The incumbent is responsible to manage their performance in accordance with this job description and the performance expectations provided to them by management. If at any time the incumbent is unsure of their role or specific responsibilities, it is the incumbent’s responsibility to refer to their job description and ask for clarification from their supervisor. Management will work with the incumbent, as needed, to ensure performance expectations are clearly communicated and performance goals are achieved.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent has routine supervision over 20-30 Salomon Farm camp counselors.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Completion of a four year college degree in education, environmental education, recreation or related field;
• Two years experience in recreation, education, outdoor education or a related field;
• Or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and/or ABILITIES

• Ability to operate farm tractor and bubble machine for camp activities.
• Possess knowledge in natural history, Salomon history and outdoor recreation;
• Ability to hike up to five miles per day;
• Ability to use hand tools and other farm implements;
• Possess organization and communication skills;
• Willingness to complete Preventing Disease Transmission training;

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Level of instructions is generally accepted but is not always clearly applicable. Judgment is needed in selecting the most pertinent guidelines in interpreting precedents and in adapting to standards set by the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department. Incumbent is involved with moderate duties with substantial intricacy involving variables or considerations with inter-relationships. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY

Incumbent makes choices and takes action performing a variety of relatively standardized assignments. Errors in decision or work are not readily detected. Work requires analysis and judgment as incumbent works independently. Work may involve some spot checking for compliance of procedural requirements. Incumbent must understand specialized knowledge of theoretical principles and practices developed through on the job training, while being able to handle unforeseen circumstances involving people, equipment and/or nature.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS – Required for Continued Employment

• Valid Indiana Driver's License as individual will use Parks Department vehicle.
• Certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED by the American Heart Association within two weeks of employment (provided by the City’s Risk Management Department).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Incumbent follows standardized practices and procedures or general work instructions. Incumbent's work may have prolonged or frequent exposure to: heavy labor, poor working conditions, and/or extreme outdoor weather conditions. Incumbent must have the ability to hike up to five miles per day over uneven terrain or unimproved trails. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Incumbent has sustained exposure to dust, livestock animals, farm machinery, hazardous conditions with exposure to inclement weather and various temperature changes. Incumbent is exposed to recurring work conditions involve chance of injury.