Assistant Camp Director - Academic Summer Camp

Telluride Association•College Park, MD

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Assistant Camp Director plays a primarily programmatic leadership role within the Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS). The Assistant Camp Director directly supervises the Resident Advisors (counselors), who provide day-to-day support and supervision for up to 36 high school student participants. In close partnership with the Camp Director, the Assistant Camp Director supports consistent program implementation, Resident Advisor (counselor) development, and student care. The Assistant Camp Director collaborates regularly with Faculty, Teaching Assistants, health staff, support staff, and host-university partners to ensure a cohesive and well-functioning residential learning environment. The Assistant Camp Director also supports the implementation of the program’s restorative justice framework and behavior support practices, with particular attention to coaching and guiding Resident Advisors in Tier 1 support and early intervention.

Requirements

Leadership, teaching, or mentoring experience in residential or cooperative education, summer programs, camps, secondary education, and/or other academic or residential youth program settings.
(Ithaca, NY site only) Meets New York state requirements, including:
Bachelor’s Degree or at least 25 years old.
At least 24 weeks of administrative or supervisory experience in camps or comparable programs for minors.
Must be a minimum of 18 years of age as they are supervising minors, and must meet all other regulatory requirements for the state where their site is located.
Experience working with Black students and/or populations, students of color, working-class students, LGBTQIA+ students, and/or other students of marginalized backgrounds and diverse educational preparation.
Experience with anti-racism work and practice and/or restorative justice, preferably within an educational setting.
Awareness of and ability to reflect productively on power and privilege.
Experience in skillfully mediating conflict.
Excellent communication skills: demonstrates skillful verbal and written communication for diverse audiences; maintains composure in high-stress situations; demonstrates emotional intelligence, listening skills, and compassion.
Excellent judgment: makes timely decisions; exhibits sound judgment; ensures compliance and safety standards are met; explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; demonstrates integrity.
Experience in managing people: gives regular performance feedback; develops employees’ skills and encourages growth, delegates work; sets expectations and ensures accountability; provides recognition for results.
Experience in leadership: inspires and motivates others to perform; inspires respect and trust; provides vision; displays passion and optimism; mobilizes others to fulfill the vision
Ability to engage with conflicts constructively in an individual and community context.
Ability to manage high-stress environments and adapt, especially in emergency situations.
High level of organization, attention to detail, and flexibility.
Proficiency in Google Drive, Zoom, and Microsoft Office.
Able to fully commit to the Assistant Camp Director role, with no other employment, academic obligations, or major commitments during the program period.
All Telluride residential summer seminar employees are required to have and provide proof of an FDA-or WHO-authorized or approved COVID-19 primary immunization and other required immunizations, or have obtained an approved disability/medical or religious exemption.
Ability to meet travel requirements of the position.
Ability to meet acceptable background check standards.
Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Experience with the TASS program and/or TASS Resident Advisor experience, or experience supervising other residential summer programs for minors.
Interest in and commitment to the Association’s mission.
First aid and CPR training.
Valid driver’s license and excellent driving record.
Experience with and commitment to enacting anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Responsibilities

Serve as the direct supervisor of Resident Advisors (counselors), providing primary programmatic guidance, support, and accountability.
Support training and pre-program preparation for Resident Advisors in collaboration with the Camp Director.
Conduct daily check-ins with Resident Advisors during the program to assess needs, problem-solve challenges, and support effective program implementation, in coordination with the Camp Director.
Provide clear guidance, support, and boundaries related to Resident Advisors’ implementation of restorative justice and behavior response practices, as directed.
Support Resident Advisors in planning and implementing program components, including guest speakers, field trips, and transportation logistics.
Ensure Resident Advisors have adequate rest and time off, including at least one off-call day per week per Resident Advisor, while helping ensure program coverage during time off.
Serve as backup for Resident Advisors when unavailable, including stepping in directly or coordinating coverage as needed.
Ensure Resident Advisors meet programmatic, administrative, and financial responsibilities; follow established policies and procedures; and prioritize participant care and well-being. Provide corrective feedback as needed, in consultation with the Camp Director.
Assist with supervision and coordination of additional site staff as needed.
Work with the Camp Director and kitchen and maintenance staff to share feedback and information relevant to program planning and site operations.
Support the Camp Director in ensuring that Faculty and Graduate Teaching Assistants have the information and resources needed to support positive learning outcomes.
Participate in the first-week meeting with the Camp Director, Resident Advisors, and Faculty to align on roles, expectations, and needs for the summer.
Attend weekly all-staff meetings.
Promptly communicate with the Camp Director when additional support or escalation is needed.
Track program challenges and successes throughout the summer and complete a comprehensive end-of-program report and evaluation to inform future programs.
Complete mandatory online trainings during the preparation period (approximately 36 hours total), including orientation; restorative justice; supervisory responsibilities; mandated reporting; health and safety; non-harassment; and program administration.
Attend mandatory in-person training. Dates: June 8–14, 2026
Read and adhere to all Telluride Association policies and procedures.
When the Camp Director is not available, serve as the primary point of contact for parents or guardians of summer program participants.
Check in with the Camp Director and Summer Program Manager at least weekly.
Work closely with the Camp Director, Summer Program Manager, and Telluride Association administrative staff to support smooth site operations, including coordination related to finances, host-university relationships, facilities needs, kitchen and maintenance staff, budget requests, and unusual student or financial needs.
Assist the Camp Director in working with host universities and third-party vendors to ensure services for summer program students, including registration, housing and meals, student IDs, access to medical and academic facilities, and cleaning services.
Assist the Camp Director in monitoring program budgets and expenditures.
Assist with collecting photos, participant feedback, and other materials to support recruitment and communications efforts.
Assist the Camp Director in supporting Faculty site needs by coordinating with Faculty and Resident Advisors to ensure access to required resources, including room reservations, A/V equipment, and field-trip transportation.
Work closely with Resident Advisors to ensure the site is set up prior to program start and fully cleaned at program close, including walkthroughs, coordination with facilities or cleaning staff, key distribution and collection, and mailing belongings back to students as needed.
Work with Resident Advisors to ensure necessary program supplies are procured.
Manage the sign-out and collection of laptops and other program materials; ensure return or shipment to Telluride Association at program end as needed.
Support and coordinate move-in and move-out processes to ensure students arrive and depart safely.
In collaboration with the Camp Director, support individual student check-ins at least once during the summer and solicit student feedback as needed.
Support the implementation of restorative justice (RJ) practices, the Code of Conduct, and related procedures.
Attend TASSer restorative justice (RJ) training and Community Agreement discussions.
As the direct supervisor of Resident Advisors, support and guide their implementation of Tier 1 behavior support, including daily and weekly TASSer check-ins, day-to-day RJ facilitation, and early conflict response.
In collaboration with the Camp Director, assist in identifying and responding to escalated behavior support needs and Code of Conduct violations, in accordance with Telluride Association procedures.
Promptly inform the Camp Director of escalated behavioral concerns or situations that may require higher-level intervention or consideration of dismissal.
Support documentation of behavioral concerns, behavior agreements, and dismissals in accordance with Telluride Association procedures.
Work with Resident Advisors to develop and implement student behavior agreements when necessary.
If dismissal becomes necessary, assist the Camp Director and Summer Program Manager with on-site logistics, supervision, and coordination of travel and/or lodging for the dismissed student. All dismissals must be approved by the Camp Director, Summer Program Manager, and Board.
Respond promptly to emergent student needs and special situations, coordinating with the Camp Director and other staff as appropriate.
Administer student medications in accordance with program policies and medical authorizations.
Maintain accurate medication logs and ensure secure storage.
Monitor and report health concerns or adverse reactions to appropriate staff.
Support student health needs with professionalism, confidentiality, and care.
Quarantine procedures. Assist the Camp Director with COVID and infectious disease policies and quarantine strategies including off-site quarantine accommodations as necessary. Work with the Camp Director and Resident Advisors to provide appropriate care for staff and/or students if quarantining is necessary. This may require the Assistant Camp Director to chaperone and stay in off-site housing.
Medical needs. Work with Camp Director, health staff, and Resident Advisors to ensure that the medical needs of students (e.g. doctor’s appointments, allergies, food restrictions, mental health needs, disability accommodations, etc.) are appropriately met, and promptly reach out to supervisor if additional support is needed.
Crisis support. Be available on call to assist after hours in an emergency or crisis support for staff and participants.
Other risk management. Proactively monitor potential risks to safety, health, property, institutional relationships, and programmatic goals. Take active steps to reduce risk; promptly notify supervisor of concerns.
Documentation. Ensure that incident and injury reports are completed and filed in a timely manner.
Enact Telluride Association’s commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in all activities and duties.
Support Telluride Association to maintain a safe working environment. Act proactively to prevent accidents and injuries and communicate hazards to supervisors when identified.
Abide by the policies and guidelines of the Telluride Association and all local, state, and federal laws. Failure to do so may result in suspension or termination of employment. Relevant Telluride policies include:
Support the general activities of Telluride Association and carry out other duties as assigned.