What are the responsibilities and job description for the Unit Head position at Tawonga Jewish Community Corp?
Job Title: Unit Head
Salary & Dates: $7250, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 21 – August 8
Job Description: Unit Head is a leadership position with supervisor responsibilities. Unit Heads need to be able to keep up with the intense and fast pace of camp in order to effectively manage 4-5 camper cabins and supervise an Assistant Unit Head, 10-12 Bunk Counselors, and 2-4 Unit Counselors. Responsible for: training counselors, counselor supervision, unit programming, camper management, communicating with parents, and organizing camper electives, and being a part of the camp management team. Must be able to maintain open communication with the camp management team about staff and campers in the unit. College degree (or equivalent) and 3 yrs. residential camp experience required. Graduate training in a related field or social work experience is helpful.
Job Responsibilities
Unit Heads and Assistant Unit Heads have responsibilities in the following four areas:
Staff Supervision
Supervise all bunk counselors, unit counselors, inclusion counselors and AUH in your unit. This includes:
Regular observation
Regular informal check-ins with each person you supervise
Mid-session formal check-in with each person you supervise
End of session written evaluations
Lead unit meetings and trainings during staff-training week.
Coordinate your supervisees’ days off.
Twice daily check-ins with AUH plus breakfast meetings with AUH and unit counselors.
Complete paperwork including:
Counselor observation follow-up
Formal evaluations for counselors and AUH 3 times throughout the summer
Direct Observations & Interventions with children
Knowledge of all campers in your unit and the condition of their emotional and physical well-being at all times. Proactively work with campers who need more attention than counselors can give, and manage case-specific camper issues as they arise.
Review “alert” list and files.
Supervise meals as scheduled & share coverage of your unit w/AUH during all meals.
Complete paperwork including the following:
Unit head camper alert form
Accurate and thorough record of contact with parents
Unit Program Planning and Implementation
Plan and implement unit activities and programs.
Plan and implement unit Kabbalat Shabbat.
Arrange unit R&R.
Participation in All-Camp Management Team
Attendance and participation in all daily Management Team meetings and inform AUH of meeting agenda items.
Emergency coverage and Fire drill route.
Respond quickly to staff in the CT office about camper inquiries.
Join in counselor pairing meetings.
A Day in the Life of a Unit Head
7:00AM – Wake up: get ready for the day
8:00AM – Breakfast (followed by song session): Meet with unit staff to go over coverage schedule, check in with AUH
9:30AM – Activities Begin: observe staff and campers, provide support
12:30PM – Lunch: supervise unit, make sure the campers are eating and drinking, provide support when needed
1:30PM – Rest Hour: this is the time when campers are resting at their bunk. It is a good time for Unit Heads to make phone calls home, complete paperwork, plan activities, check in with staff, or rest.
2:30PM – Activities: observe staff and campers, provide support, complete paperwork or phone calls, plan activities, rest
3:45PM – Snack
4:00PM – Free Swim or Floats (Floats is a time when campers choose individual activities) This is a good time to complete paperwork or phone calls, plan activities, rest
6:00PM – Dinner (followed by song session): supervise unit, provide support when needed
7:30PM – Evening Activities: good time to lead unit activities such as s’mores or stargazing
9:15PM – Bedtime: check in on bunks and support with bedtime rituals
10:00PM – Unit Heads are off when bedtime rituals are done. Unit Heads occasionally supervise bunk coverage from 10pm-12am
Additional Responsibilities:
Meal Toran- Unit Heads occasionally supervise meals, including coordinating with the kitchen, leading campers in the blessing before and after the meal, and overseeing a smooth clean up after the meal. Can expect to supervise meals multiple times throughout each session.
Clean grills on Shabbat.
Shmira Toran- Unit heads occasionally supervise bunk coverage at night from 10PM-12AM. Can expect to do this 5-6 times a summer.
Evaluations- Unit Heads are responsible for writing evaluations for up to 10 staff multiple times throughout the summer.
Additional Requirements:
Ability to live in a cabin with others, eat meals in a vibrant, communal dining hall, address challenging situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment required.
Unit Heads should be comfortable navigating 4-8 miles daily across a variety of terrain while employed at camp, ensuring access to different program areas around camp.
Salary : $7,250