Chautauqua’s Boys and Girls Club is the longest running summer day camp in the United States. The program, for youth in second grade to tenth grade, embraces both tradition and the latest trends in youth education and engagement including field activities, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, nature, crafts, individual and team sports, music and experiences in the arts. Hours of operation are 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 2–4 p.m., Monday-Friday.

About Your Compensation

Compensation for this position starts at $16.00/Hour and, with demonstrated experience and qualifications, candidates may earn up to $18.25/Hour.

About Your Work Day

• Create a safe, welcoming environment in which all program participants, staff members, and families can fully participate.
• Maintain constant surveillance of program participants, staff members, and other guests in/around the waterfront.
• Understand and enforce all waterfront rules and regulations.
• Responds immediately and appropriately in case of an emergency.
• Administers proper first aid when needed at Waterfront activities.
• Attends weekly in-service training to maintain rescue skills.
• Provides swim lesson instruction as a progressive swim instructor.
• Provides instruction for operation of canoes and kayaks.
• Understand and comply with policies and procedures set forth by Chautauqua Institution and regulations determined by New York State legislation as related to operating a licensed children’s camp.
• May be asked to provide supervision with a camper group during times when staff are limited in order to maintain ratios set by NYS regulations.
• May support facilitation of land-based activities for camper who do not wish to participate in aquatic activities.

About Lifeguard Certification

New York's Department of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation will host a Lifeguard Certification Course at Chautauqua Institution's Health & Fitness Center in Turner Community Center in Chautauqua, New York. This course will provide candidates interested in obtaining their lifeguard, waterfront lifeguard, first aid, and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. Chautauqua Institution invites any candidate interested in obtaining employment as a lifeguard and who is provided a contingent offer of employment to enroll in this course. The cost is $140. Chautauqua will reimburse the $140 cost for candidates who successfully complete the course, are certified, and begin employment with Chautauqua Institution.

Candidate attendance is mandatory on the following dates for Summer 2024: Monday, June 3 (4 pm - 8 pm), Wednesday, June 5, 2024 (4 pm - 8 pm), Friday, June 7 (4 pm - 8 pm), Sunday, June 9 (8 am - 1 pm), Tuesday, June 11 (4 pm - 8 pm), Thursday, June 13 (4 pm - 8 pm), Friday, June 14 (4 pm - 8 pm), Sunday, June 18 (9 am - 3:30 pm).

Candidates must be a minimum of 15 years old to participate in the course and, to certify, must pass a swimming prerequisite. Candidates will be required to pass a pre-requisite water test (goggles permitted) that includes swimming (350 yards) with a front crawl or breaststroke, treading water (2 minutes) with legs only, and continuing to swim another 200 yards. Candidates must also complete a timed event in 1 minute 40 seconds by diving to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object, surfacing, swimming on their back while holding the object (20 yards), and then exiting the water without ladders or steps. Candidates will finally complete an underwater event by swimming 5 yards, submerging/swimming underwater to retrieve dive rings 5 yards apart in 4-7 feet of water, and then returning to the surface to swim another 5 yards.

For additional information or to register for the Lifeguard Certification Course, please contact Terri Crandall, Assistant Manager, Health & Fitness Center, at Chautauqua Institution at (716) 357-6456 or TCrandall@CHQ.org .

About the Referral Program

Chautauqua Institution’s Referral Bonus Program is a talent solution to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse workforce that encompasses all the skills and experience necessary to deliver on our goals and objectives. Chautauqua Institution will provide a $500 referral bonus (less taxes) for active employees referring a new candidate who is hired and remains employed for at least 90-days from the first physical date of work. In the case of seasonal positions working less than 6-months, the new candidate must remain actively employed for at least 30-days from the first physical date of work and until the closing date of the season. The closing date of the season is the last Sunday in August.

About Your Schedule

Chautauqua Institution and Chautauqua Hotel Company offer flexible schedules, full and part-time, for seasonal employment during summer operations starting annually each June and concluding in August. Seasonal employment may be available earlier (pre-season) and beyond season (post-season) based on business needs and candidate availability. Schedules typically include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as a requirement.

While you will confirm your final schedule with management at the time of an interview and offer of employment, you should generally anticipate the following schedule options for this position:

Will be primarily scheduled to work Monday to Friday from 9 :00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for an average of 35 hours/week. Scheduled hours may vary based on business needs. The week after the first day of operations a mandatory in-person three-day staff training session is scheduled.

There may be an opportunity to work additional hours in Youth & Family Programs outside of this position. This will be discussed during the interview.

About Living on the Grounds

Chautauqua Institution may provide limited housing options on our grounds or assist you with locating nearby housing arrangements for select opportunities based on business needs. Housing is not an option for many positions and may be of a cost to you. Candidates should assume there are no employer-provided or employer-assisted housing options available for this position unless it is otherwise stated.

Employer provided housing may be available with this position.

About Chautauqua Institution

Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit global convener of dialogue on the most significant issues of the day through engagement across four pillars of the arts, education, religion, and recreation. The Chautauqua community is located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State and comes alive each summer with a unique mix of visual and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship/programs, and recreational activities. Chautauqua Institution owns and operates Chautauqua Hotel Company, a comprehensive hotel, food & beverage, conferencing, and events organization. The Institution’s office in Washington, DC is located strategically for an ongoing role in the cultural conversations of the nation.

Discovering Your Chautauqua Experience

There are countless ways that our talent will engage with our mission, vision, and diverse communities, and you are invited to immerse yourself in our programming as a gateway to this experience. Employees will receive a traditional Chautauqua gate pass, free of cost, which provides access to many of our programs at the Amphitheater. In addition to a traditional gate pass, employees and their families will receive full access to our current and historical programs online at CHQ Assembly.

Commitment to Values of IDEA

Chautauqua Institution values Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) as a priority in our strategic plan, 150 Forward. One of our five core values is “The dignity and contributions of all people.” We are committed to creating conditions in which everyone feels that they can engage as full and valued participants in the Chautauqua experience. The Institution is an equal opportunity employer committed to equitable and inclusive hiring practices and applicants will not be discriminated against based on any status protected under federal, state, or local law. We especially welcome applications from those who can demonstrate past experience, engagement, and professional expertise in IDEA.

Joining Our Talent Community

Join our talent community online at CHQ.org/employment. You are encouraged to learn more about Chautauqua Institution at CHQ.org and view the 150 Forward Strategic Plan at 150fwd.CHQ.org.