Summer Camp Instructor

Who we are

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves an inclusive community of about 1,700 students on two campuses - one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and the other in Manhattan.

What is essential about working at our school

The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of inclusion and belonging deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace all aspects of an individual, including their ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self. 

We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in an inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality. 

Summer at ECFS 
Summer at ECFS is a six-week summer day camp for rising PreK through 8th grade children. Both morning and afternoon sessions specifically cater to each camper’s interests. Each week focuses on a new student-designed theme which encourages campers to build, play, and learn through a unique and engaging lens. Students grow, learn, imagine, and collaborate across disciplines, while building bonds in a joyful, inclusive community.

Position Summary
We are seeking passionate and experienced STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) Instructors  to lead hands-on learning experiences across various STEAM disciplines for our summer camp. We welcome applicants with experience in STEAM fields as well as visual and performing arts such as painting, sculpture, music, theater, and dance. The instructor will design engaging curricula, implement hands-on projects, and create an interactive, fun, and inquiry-driven learning environment, which aligns with our weekly themes. In addition to teaching, instructors are required to maintain the physical and emotional safety of every camper and to provide general camp supervision. This role requires a strong background in STEAM and the ability to inspire curiosity and innovation.

This is a full-time role beginning June 22, 2026 through July 31, 2026. All Instructors must also be available to attend the following mandatory training dates: May 31st, June 13th, and June 14th.

The hiring range for this position is $25.00-$30.00 per hour. When determining the rate, ECFS considers factors including, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, internal peer equity, key skills required for the role, the candidate’s work experience, education, and training, as well as market and organizational considerations.

Please note that this is an on-site role and is not performed remotely. Ethical Culture Fieldston School retains its right to modify job duties in accordance with changing operational needs.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities of the Instructor(s) will include:

• Designing and managing curriculum for STEAM subjects that align with weekly themes;

• Fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills through engaging projects, experiments, and hands-on activities;

• Maintaining a positive rapport with team members and camp participants;

• Maintaining camper safety and confidentiality;

• Supervising counselors when needed; 

• Appropriately addressing campers behavior issues and other challenges that may arise in order to maintain a safe environment and a sense of calm in situations 

• Adhering to site-specific safety standards;

• Maintaining a clean and safe work environment and notify the supervisor of any hazardous issues;

• Participating in professional development, including pre-camp training;

• Encouraging campers to help support their social and emotional growth. 

• Attending staff meetings as assigned;

• Supporting and mentoring assistant instructors and counselors;

• Maintaining compliance with all school policies, state regulations, and educational standards; 

• Performing other projects, initiatives, and duties as needed and assigned.

Requirements

The successful candidate will possess the following requirements:

• A Bachelor’s Degree; 

• Prior teaching experience with early childhood, elementary, and middle school students, preferably in hands-on STEAM, Visual or Performing Arts subjects;

• Strong experience in curriculum design for STEAM, Visual or Performing Arts programs, including project-based learning and hands-on experimentation;

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills;

• The ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with faculty, administrators, and the overall community.

• The ability to identify issues quickly and problem-solve accordingly, and to remain calm in stressful situations that may arise.

• A high degree of organization, resourcefulness, and attention to detail; 

• Ability to inspire and motivate;

• CPR/First Aid Certifications or the ability to obtain one;

• Flexible team player with the ability and willingness to work with adolescents, staff, and families;

• The ability to be a mentor and a resource to campers, staff, and families, and to embrace/foster cultural inclusiveness.

• Ability to inspire through creativity;

• Must be organized, detail-oriented, and have the ability to multitask and prioritize effectively;

• A commitment to cultural competency and to fostering an inclusive environment that supports students of all backgrounds;

• Possess the ability to be innovative and collaborate with others;

• A positive attitude and the ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback. 

• Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance; 

• The ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which all members of our community feel valued and appreciated.

To Apply:
All candidates should visit our employment page at www.ecfs.org to apply. Please submit a resume along with an email and phone contact information of three professional references.

EEO
ECFS is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to be a welcoming community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan New York City area, our students, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to hiring practices that ensure all candidates are given fair consideration in alignment with our institutional mission and goals.