CAMP COUNSELOR

RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions

• Escort and accompany trainees to scheduled activities, ensuring orderly behavior and a positive learning environment.
• Address personal issues trainees may encounter, including illness, conflict mediation, and lost items.
• Serve as a professional role model, promoting the importance of education, integrity, and, if applicable, military service.
• Adhere to strict no-contact policy with trainees, except in life-threatening situations.
• Perform duties such as wake-up/lights-out, after-hours habitat monitoring, meal/cafeteria monitoring, logistical and supply prep, registration/check-out, and other camp-related support tasks (some may occur outside normal hours).
• Conduct high and low ropes training as assigned, ensuring trainees are properly instructed on individual elements and their roles.
• Act as a lead in specialized program areas requiring specific USSRC knowledge and experience.
• Lead space and aviation simulation training, ensuring trainees understand mission roles and simulation positions.
• Provide lectures and briefings on various space, robotics, and aviation topics.
• Ensure comprehensive instruction in all program content for a successful camp experience.
• Supervise and instruct swimming/water activities.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized environment for trainees and coworkers.
• Strive to exceed Leadership team expectations in delivering a high-quality, safe simulator and camp experience.
• Support weekly trainee registration, graduation, and coordination for program completion.
• Maintain Leadership Challenge Course equipment and elements per USSRC safety standards.
• Confirm transportation arrangements with the Airport Extended Durations Coordinator and communicate details to trainees.
• Facilitate early departures and late arrivals for trainees, including early wake-ups (as early as 2 am).
• Operate company vehicles to shuttle trainees to/from the airport, meeting USSRC age and license requirements.
• Represent the USSRC at Huntsville International Airport, ensuring a positive and professional experience for trainees and their families.
• Perform other related duties as needed, with flexibility to adapt to additional responsibilities are required.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Level of Supervision: This role involves overseeing trainees, ensuring a safe, organized, and educational environment. Responsibilities include escorting trainees to activities, maintaining orderly behavior, and providing care, including addressing personal issues such as illness and lost items. The Crew Trainer serves as a positive role model, promotes professionalism, manages shift-specific duties like wake-up and meal monitoring, and supports various camp activities, some outside of normal hours. Additionally, they conduct specialized training in high/low ropes, space simulations, and water activities, ensuring trainees understand and engage fully. The role also involves coordinating transportation, including airport shuttling, and representing USSRC standards and values to trainees and their families.

Travel Required: No

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education

• Prefer a minimum of 20 completed college credit hours. Equivalent life or professional experience may be considered in place of educational credit hours.

Required Experience

• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• Experience working with children in a structured environment, such as coaching, tutoring, or teaching, is preferred.
• Previous experience in a similar educational or instructional camp, space exploration role, or military setting is a strongly preferred.
• Must possess excellent communication and instructional skills and act as a positive role model.
• Strong leadership skills are essential for this position.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• A valid driver’s license with a good driving record is preferred.
• Willingness to comply with the required dress code.
• Must pass a drug and alcohol screening, clear the State Central Registry on Child Abuse/Neglect upon hiring, complete an FBI criminal background check (requirement of Cyber Camp), and any additional tests required by management. USSRC does not hire individuals with felony convictions.

Specialization Requirement:

• Airport Crew Trainer: Must be able to obtain a TSA Sterile Area security clearance at Huntsville International Airport and meet USSRC driver’s license and age requirements to operate Center vehicles.

Physical Requirements

The job involves substantial physical activity, such as walking and climbing (stairs, hills, ropes, ladders, poles, and wooded terrain) to reach simulators, ropes elements, and training areas. Extended periods of standing (4-6 hours or full shifts) are needed for instructing and operating simulators. Employees must be able to carry and lift items up to 50 lbs. waist-high and perform bending, kneeling, and reaching to handle supplies, operate equipment, and participate in camp activities. Visual acuity is essential for presenting lectures, conducting instructional tours, and engaging with guests and staff. Effective verbal communication is also necessary to deliver clear safety briefings and debriefs. Additionally, maintaining high standards for workspace and personal appearance is expected, along with active teamwork and collaboration with all Space & Rocket Center staff.

Eligibility Qualifications

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Environmental Factors

This position requires working in an outdoor environment, sometimes in high summer temperatures, with a heat index that may reach up to over 105°F. Comfort and confidence in water are necessary, as the role includes swimming and teaching in water environments without fear or anxiety. Candidates must be capable of operating astronaut training simulators, aviation/flight simulators, and ropes course elements safely and without anxiety for the well-being of guests. The role also requires adherence to all USSRC policies and procedures, serving as a positive role model, and displaying a professional attitude and motivation when working with trainees, aerospace team members, and other departments.

Expected Hours of Work

• Flexibility to work various shifts, including day, night, weekend, or overnight, based on the Center’s needs and the individual’s availability, is essential.
• • Open: 6am-11pm,
  • Day/Night: Sunday 11am-11pm, Mon-Thurs 6a-11pm, Fri 6am-3pm,
  • Day: M-F 6a-3pm,
  • Evening: Sun 11am-11pm, Mon-Thurs 2:30pm-11pm

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.