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:

1. 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

1. 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

1. Unit Program Planning and Implementation

• Plan and implement unit activities and programs.

• Plan and implement unit Kabbalat Shabbat.

• Arrange unit R&R.

1. 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.