Summer Camp Program Specialist

Program Specialist - Barn and Farm Animals

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Program Specialist to join our team at Tomahawk Ranch, a Girl Scouts of Colorado camp property. The successful candidate will be responsible for the care and maintenance of barn animals and areas, as well as the implementation of the farm program.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the daily feeding and care of barn animals.
• Provide emergency care to barn animals with the support of supervisors.
• Assist the Equine staff with care and management of the horse program as needed.
• Support the greenhouse/garden specialist as needed.
• Provide and/or support emergency procedures during on-site and off-site trip incidents.
• Provide and/or support health and wellness practices.
• Provide assistance/coverage as necessary to all additional operational and program staff.

Program Responsibilities:

• Plan, direct, and implement programs for a group of campers during overnight camp sessions, troop day camp sessions, and family camp sessions in one or more assigned specialty program areas.
• Responsible for the care, cleanliness, maintenance, and inventory of assigned program area and support the entire Ranch team maintaining the cleanliness and organization of all Ranch areas.

Camper Leadership and Supervision:

• Support and counsel campers in daily living, camp activities, and developing peer relationships.

Staff Leadership and Supervision:

• Train and orient staff on proper use of specialized areas, materials, and delivery of program.
• Verify staff competence before assigning them supervisory roles. Monitor their performance throughout the season.

Administration:

• Manage administrative responsibilities in a timely, independent, and detail-oriented manner.
• Work on the development, review, and assist in the creation of daily, weekly, and activity schedules, in cooperation with other staff, based on camp program, camper planning, and camp goals.
• Provide and participate in camper and staff feedback forms as necessary for the overall camp's strategic planning.
• Participate in regular staff meetings and training for planning purposes, communication resolutions, and carrying out assignments.
• Coordinate and communicate schedules to campers and staff as necessary.
• Carry out ongoing observations to assure that goals and expectations of leadership and program delivery are positive and appropriate.
• Interact with digital systems including WorkBright, Slack, Instagram, and Facebook.
• Respect the confidential nature of all information pertaining to staff, volunteers, and campers.
• Follow policies, procedures, and standards set by the American Camping Association, Girl Scouts Safety Activity Checkpoints, Colorado Department of Health and Human Services, and other certifying industry organizations.

Primary Cross-Functional Responsibilities:

• In accordance with the philosophy of Girl Scouts of Colorado, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description.
• Support the efforts and commitments of Girl Scouts of Colorado in pluralism and diversity throughout the organization and within each community served.
• Embrace diversity and inclusiveness by contributing to positive relationships between diverse racial, ethnic, and social groups in the Council as a whole and between employees and volunteers.

Job Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must have current or willingness to obtain the following certifications: First Aid/CPR, Child Abuse Mandated Reporter, Universal Standard Precautions, Medication Administration, WFA/WFR.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience:

• Preferred experience or desire for working with children.
• Proven experience in animal care and safe practices around equine and farm animals.
• Preferred experience working in an outdoor program and/or camp setting.
• Working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Preferred experience in leadership of children, peers, or staff.
• Willing to provide innovative and engaging program development and facilitation in an informal, outdoor setting.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be able to pass a criminal background check acceptable to GSCO standards.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED:

This position works with program-related equipment:

• Horse and animal feed: bales and bags (roughly 50lbs-75lbs).
• Equine and barn animals.
• Riding equipment: saddles, bridles, saddle pads, etc.
• This position works occasionally with program-related equipment in areas such as hiking, hot elements, archery, and other outdoor skills activities.
• Subject to injuries from falls, accidental strikes, cuts from equipment, etc.
• Handheld radios.
• As directed, golf carts, gator, trucks, and leased vehicles.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

• Camps are at altitudes of 8,000-9,500 feet.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours including evenings, weekends, extended overnight periods, and extended work hours, up to 22 hours per day.
• Required daily, frequent exposure to highly stimulating and loud environments.
• Program activities are carried out in the out-of-doors often in inclement weather.
• Willing to be on-call at all times, for health, emergency purposes, camper supervision, and program implementation.
• Required to live on-site in shared housing. (Staff living quarters are shared with other staff and/or campers).
• Requires extensive walking/hiking >2miles/day over uneven and unpaved terrain.
• Able to carry, lift, and/or transfer at least 75 pounds.
• Ability to hear, listen, see, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, bend, use hands and fingers to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, and balance.
• Must have interpersonal skills/behaviors (i.e., working with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors in a tactful, congenial personal manner, so as not to alienate or antagonize them).