Camp Tamarack Director

Position Summary: Camp Tamarack is hiring a Director to oversee all camp programming and staff. The Director is responsible for the oversight or direct supervision of all aspects of the on-site program operations of Camp Tamarack, including but not limited to organizational and program development, strategic planning, coordination and evaluation of programs, staffing, and marketing. This individual will perform a vital role in helping to develop and implement long-term goals of the organization. The Director will report to the Executive Director. The ideal candidate will be a professional representative of Camp Tamarack on-site and within our community, and lead with growth and safety in the forefront of their vision. 

Work location is seasonal as follows:

April - October: On-site at Camp Tamarack in Sisters, Oregon 4 days per week with 1 flex day 

November - March: Remote work with in-person and virtual collaboration

Who We Are: Camp Tamarack’s focus is hosting Outdoor School and Summer Camp to provide youth ages 8-18 hands-on opportunities that promote personal growth and a better understanding of the environment, communities, and world that surrounds them. We are a forward thinking organization that is always seeking to learn and improve. Our team cares deeply about the programs we provide and all the people who make it possible. In concert with our Core Values, we are proud to foster an environment where everyone can show up as their best authentic self. 

Our Programs: 

Summer Camp (June-August): Our overnight camps offer a traditional 5-night summer camp experience filled with days on the lake and nights around the campfire! Campers enjoy activities from crafts to archery to paddle boarding while connecting with camp staff and their high school cabin counselors. We work to invite 10% of our summer camp participants on scholarship. 

Outdoor School (April-June & Sept.-Oct): Thanks to Bond Measure 99 “Outdoor School for All,” every Oregon 5th or 6th grader is given the opportunity to attend Outdoor School funded by the state. Our Outdoor School programs offer students engaging inquiry-based science lessons and community building challenges, as well as recreation activities like canoeing and nightly campfires. High school students also volunteer for this experience serving as cabin leaders and teaching assistants. 

Community Outreach (Year-round): Each year Tamarack opens its facilities for a few weekend groups during the summer and partners with Oregon Adaptive Sports, Vámanos Outside, & Bend Park & Recreation for family days at Tamarack.

Position Responsibilities:

Staff Management

• Oversee the hiring, training, supervision, support and evaluation of camp staff
• Create and implement structures to support success and ensure all aspects of the job are being completed by all staff 
• Serve as a constant, visible and available resource for all camp participants
• Maintain open lines of communication between program staff, kitchen staff, and facilities staff to ensure all teams are working in a coordinated effort 
• Meet weekly with Site Supervisor, Program Coordinators, Kitchen Manager, Social Media Manager, Medical Director, and Executive Director to continually collaborate, make program improvements and listen to feedback
• Coordinate with the Site Supervisor and Program Coordinators in planning and conducting staff meetings and ongoing professional development

Program Operations

• Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operations of the outdoor school, summer camp and year-round programs
• Create policies and procedures to support the health and well being of all program participants and camp staff
• Actively engage in risk management for all aspects of programming
• Design programs and curriculum that promote camper and staff wellbeing and empowerment, and prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Provide consistent and prompt support to unanticipated, complex changes to planned activities and programs 
• Recognize and respond effectively to emergencies
• Create and maintain open communication between parents and teachers when health and safety concerns arise

Facility Management

• Oversee maintenance of camp appearance to ensure all facilities are clean and organized for use by all program participants (cabins, dining hall, recreation facilities, lodge, campfire pit, storage sheds, attics)
• Oversee living conditions of program participants and staff to ensure needs are being met

Strategic Planning

• Work with the Executive Director to develop a vision with immediate and long-term recommendations for constant improvement of overall programming 
• Identify areas of need within the program through program evaluation and data collection
• Compile statistics and reports from teacher, student, staff, and counselor surveys to assess and evaluate the success of all programs
• Attend board meetings to report on Camp Tamarack’s programs and services
• Participate in quarterly strategy sessions with the camp administration team to identify and address ongoing areas of focus through Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).

Community Relations 

• Serve as a representative of Camp Tamarack within our organization and our broader community
• Embody, represent, and uphold Camp Tamarack’s core values outlined below
• Maintain good relationships with and serve as a liaison between all program participants, teachers, administrators, and parents 
• Work with high school administration, counselors and Future Center employees to support high school relationships and the Volunteer Recruiter 
• Facilitate the scheduling and on-site logistics for visiting community groups
• Plan and execute the marketing of Camp Tamarack’s programs with the support of the Programs Director
• Attend 2-3 virtual meetings monthly and 1-2 in-person gatherings yearly to collaborate with Oregon State University Extension Service Outdoor School in learning and sharing best practices among providers 

Qualifications

1. Requirements:

a. Direct management of a team for a minimum of 3 years

b. Experience working in the outdoor education or camp industry

C. B.A. degree preferred

D. If not taking advantage of on-site housing, must live close to camp (Bend, Sisters, Redmond). 

2. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

a. Knowledge of: development needs of youth; behavior management techniques; safety regulations and emergency procedures; effective supervisory and management principles and practices. 

b. Skill in: handling sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality; teambuilding; training, evaluating and instructing staff; program and curriculum design; managing employees with a wide range of ages and experience levels.

c. Ability to: motivate staff; communicate effectively with all levels of camp staff and caregivers to address the needs of campers; hire, train, and oversee camp employees.

Camp Tamarack is an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome your unique contributions to our program, including your culture, ethnicity, race, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages, veteran status, religion, ability, sexual orientation, and beliefs. We value diversity and are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all campers, volunteers, and employees.

Our commitments include:

• Normalizing pronoun use during meetings and programs 
• Providing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion training to all staff 
• Incorporating land acknowledgments in programs 
• Providing accommodations for students to participate in our programs and for staff to lead programs
• Using trauma-informed, culturally responsive student support strategies

To apply for the position, please send resume and cover letter (PDFs) to melissa@camptamarack.com.