Camp Big Bear Director

Santa Monica Family YMCA • Big Bear Lake, CA

8h • $70,000 - $75,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer, the Camp Big Bear Director is responsible for the overall leadership, planning, development, administration, evaluation, and growth of Camp Big Bear operations. This role ensures high-quality camp programming, staff leadership, safety and risk management, fiscal accountability, facility oversight, and community engagement in alignment with Santa Monica Family YMCA policies, ACA standards, and mission priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum five years of experience in camp leadership, outdoor recreation, or residential program management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage year-round camp facilities, infrastructure and grounds maintenance.
• Knowledge of safety compliance, risk management, emergency preparedness and ACA/YMCA standards.
• Experience planning and delivering high-quality camp programming for youth, families and specialty groups.
• Current CPR/AED and First Aid certifications required (or within the first 30 days) from one of the following: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety & Health Institute.
• Must be able to lift/move up to 50 pounds.
• This position requires one to be able to frequently walk around camp and address facility needs.
• Must be physically able to kneel, bend, squat, stand for long periods, and handle moderate to loud noise levels.
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency are required.
• Must be personable and have good written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide year-round leadership and operational oversight of Camp Big Bear, including facilities, programs, staffing, group leasing, and guest experience.
• Manage Camp Big Bear facilities and grounds to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, seasonal readiness, and high-quality experiences for campers and guests.
• Plan and oversee facility inspections, maintenance, vendor coordination, capital projects, food service operations, and relationships with city and regulatory agencies.
• Lead the planning, delivery, and evaluation of Santa Monica Family YMCA camp programs, including summer resident camps, family camps, and specialty weekends.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and support seasonal staff, international staff, and volunteers while fostering a fun, inclusive, and mission-driven camp culture.
• Oversee camper registration, staffing plans, transportation logistics, safety training, and parent communication.
• Ensure compliance with ACA accreditation standards, YMCA policies, and all safety, risk management, and emergency preparedness requirements.
• Develop, implement, and manage the annual camp budget, monitoring financial performance and identifying needs related to facilities, staffing, and programming.
• Lead group leasing operations, including marketing, acquisition, scheduling, contracts, and on-site coordination for external groups and retreats.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families, volunteers, donors, board members, community partners, and leasing clients.
• Serve as staff liaison to Camp Big Bear committees, board retreats, donor tours, and special engagement events.
• Support the Santa Monica Family YMCA's Annual Campaign and participate in association-wide initiatives, training, and events.
• Represent Camp Big Bear as a visible ambassador of the YMCA mission and values.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.

Benefits

• Housing Provided! This role includes on-site housing!
• Housing and utilities are fully included as part of the position, offering a unique opportunity to be deeply connected to camp life while living in one of Southern California's most scenic mountain and lake communities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director