Job Description

Summer Culinary is looking for an unstoppable, energetic, and inspired individual to direct our up and coming program culinary arts summer camp called campusDC! campusDC is part of a series of our nationally known summer camps for middle school and high school students who are passionate about the culinary arts. Our Program Directors are responsible for the overall leadership and operations of the program from the students, staff, to the parents, before and during the summer!

*THIS IS NOT A CHEF POSITION

Who are you?

• You’re an experienced, creative, fun-loving educator. You’re as comfortable resolving conflict between two campers as you are mentoring your staff or adding your own unique flavor to your program.
• You’re a communicative, trustworthy, inspiring natural leader. You can’t do it alone. You will rely on your staff, and you can count on the admins to back you up. By being communicative and inspiring, you can take the people who show up to work with and for you and create them as a team, out to make a difference with each and every student. As a relationship-builder and mentor, you measure your own success in large part by the success of those around you. In other words, when they win, you win automatically. And being in close communication with parents makes the difference…. you’re responsible for people’s children, so they’ll be wanting to hear from you!
• Safety is most important. Student and staff safety is your first priority. The parents have put their trust in us, so think of them as your partner in developing the student.
• You’re an organized, problem-solving manager. You love fine-tuning operational logistics, ensuring program efficiency, and learning new strategies for driving overall performance.
• You’re ready to grow. You are out to develop yourself personally during the program. We know that true mastery requires commitment, practice, effort, thoughtful feedback, personal reflection, and implementation of lessons learned.
• You’re knowledgeable in your location. You’re DC- savvy and know the city like the back of your hand. You also have cool ideas to keep our campers entertained in the evenings.
• You’re fun, adventurous, nimble, and spontaneous. Sometimes breakdowns happen. The power goes out. The destination is closed. You are the kind of person who can pivot on a dime, and make things fun, no matter what!

*Please submit a cover letter with your application!

What is the job, really?

This job is about making a difference with each person, seeing to it that they are safe and happy, and that they leave happy, inspired, and more knowledgeable than when they arrived. This is a lofty ambition, and yet we do it each summer. The Program Director position is a lot of fun, and we aren’t going to sugar coat it, it’s also a lot of work, and it’s totally worth it!

This position is split into two parts.

The first part of this position is the lead up to camp! Upon hiring, you get started working with our year-long administrative staff on the planning of your location of camp. Those responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Giving input on a potential hire for your team (this may mean conducting or attending a second interview).
• Attending our monthly Zoom Calls for Prospective Parents.
• Keeping in touch with your staff members, as well as our administrative team.
• Possibly responding to any specific questions or concerns to parents via your camp email.
• Keeping in touch with our administrative team.

The pay for this time period would be $30/hr

The transition into the second part of this position will be on our online Zoom Director’s training (dates TBA). This is when things really start heating up! This is when you’ll send your Welcome Emails to parents, introducing yourself and your location. This is also when you will start being in contact with your staff as much as possible, as well as getting in touch with the venue staff so you can start planning your setup and training week. You will have our administrative team and our handy Staff Manual to help you out with any questions, concerns, and uncertainties you may have on the way!

Camp staff move onto campus one week before the first day of camp for staff training and camp set up, and this is when camp truly begins. Camp directors are on call 24-7, live on campus, and lead the community by example. This sounds like a lot of work, and it is! But, as long as you make time for yourself, and stay organized, you should have plenty of downtime to relax.

Job Responsibilities:

• Overseeing the camp programing, including lessons, and the evening activities.
• Managing the staff of Residential Life directors, Health Directors, Chef instructors and counselors
• Coordinating with onsite faculty, staff and administration
• Training and scheduling of staff
• Managing the onsite budget
• Organizing and leading staff meetings and camp meetings
• Be knowledgeable in Zoom, as you’ll be streaming our end of week cooking competition to camper’s families and friends!
• Acting as the primary contact with parents
• Setting the stage for the summer, SAFE AND FUN

The pay beginning on your move in day is $1,500/week

Important Dates:

Staff Training: July 10 - July 13

Session 1: July 14 - July 20

Session 2: July 21 - July 27

Qualifications:

Required

Bachelor’s degree, Master’s Degree a plus

Experience working with pre-university students (middle school and high school aged children) in a camp setting

Previous experience as Camp Director or Assistant Director a plus

Experience in leading or managing a team/staff and delegating responsibilities

Skilled in current technology used to create dynamic and engaging programs

Excellent presentation and communication skills

Well organized and knows how to multitask·

Attend mandatory Director’s training before camp (Date TBA in May/June)

Be able to live in the dorms throughout the duration of the program and staff training (All meals and housing is provided)

Preferred

First Aid / CPR certified (we will have a certification session)

Attended a camp as a child/teen

NO CALLS PLEASE. YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE DENIED.

Please check out our website for more details on the program:

https://summerculinary.com/washington-dc/

Note: If offered a position, completion of a background check is required. Position is only open to US Citizens or people who are authorized to work in the US. We do not assist in the process of governmental authorization.

Job Types: Temporary, Contract

Pay: $1,500.00 per week

Work setting:

• In-person

Application Question(s):

• Please send a cover letter below!

Experience:

• Education: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person