Summer Camp Administrator

SUMMARY The camp will begin operations as a day camp with the goal of transitioning to an overnight camp in the future.

General Description:

The Summer Camp Administrator is responsible for the year-round planning, administration, and execution of the Virginia Spaceport Authority STEM Summer Camp program. This position provides strategic leadership for all aspects of a multi-week residential camp serving students in grades 6 through 12, including educational programming, residential life, health and safety compliance, risk management, staffing, stakeholder engagement, and operational oversight. The Summer Camp Administrator ensures a safe, engaging, and mission-driven camp environment through the effective management of housing, dining, transportation, healthcare services, emergency response procedures, and educational experiences. This position serves as the primary administrator responsible for the welfare of campers and staff while maintaining compliance with applicable regulations and organizational standards.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Residential Operations, Housing, and Risk Management

• Direct all residential camp operations, including housing assignments, residential life programming, evening activities, supervision schedules, and overnight coverage.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures governing residential life, campus security, facility access, and camper accountability.
• Manage vendor and service provider relationships for housing, dining services, transportation, security, and other operational needs.
• Establish and maintain emergency preparedness plans addressing severe weather, medical emergencies, behavioral incidents, and other potential risks.
• Coordinate transportation logistics and residential facilities to support camp operations.

Regulatory Compliance, Health, and Safety

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing youth residential camps, including Virginia Department of Health (VDH) requirements.
• Oversee all camp health services and coordinate with licensed healthcare personnel regarding camper medical needs, medication management, and health documentation.
• Maintain procedures for communicable disease reporting, allergy management, incident documentation, and emergency medical response.
• Administer comprehensive risk management programs designed to protect students, staff, visitors, and organizational assets.
• Monitor and enforce youth protection standards, mandatory reporting requirements, and child safety protocols.

Staffing, Supervision, and Organizational Culture

• Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, supervision, and performance management of seasonal camp personnel.
• Conduct comprehensive pre-camp training addressing youth development, behavior management, emergency response, child abuse prevention, Title IX awareness, and safety procedures.
• Foster a positive residential culture that promotes inclusion, student engagement, accountability, and leadership development.
• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and support to instructional staff, counselors, residential life personnel, and support staff.

Curriculum and Program Leadership

• Oversee implementation of STEM educational programming, project-based learning experiences, and experiential activities.
• Collaborate with educators, industry professionals, researchers, and partner organizations to develop high-quality instructional and enrichment experiences.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and implement continuous improvements to curriculum and participant experiences.
• Coordinate specialized learning opportunities, field experiences, laboratory visits, and industry engagement activities.

Stakeholder and Community Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for parents and guardians regarding camper participation, residential concerns, and emergency communications.
• Manage communications related to enrollment, medical documentation, housing assignments, behavioral concerns, and program expectations.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with school systems, educational organizations, universities, community partners, and STEM-focused organizations.
• Support camper recruitment, scholarship initiatives, and community outreach efforts.
• Assist with budget planning, expenditure management, vendor negotiations, and resource allocation.
• Prepare reports, assessments, and operational documentation as required.
• Maintain accurate records related to staffing, compliance, health and safety, training, and program evaluation.
• Support strategic planning initiatives and organizational goals related to youth education and workforce development.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

General Education College: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required. Major: Educational Leadership, Youth Development, Recreation Administration, Camp Administration, Outdoor Recreation Management, Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field.

Job-Related Experience:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in youth-serving programs, educational programming, recreation management, or camp administration.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience within a residential camp, boarding school, youth development, educational, or similar overnight residential environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing 24-hour youth operations, staff supervision, emergency response, behavioral interventions, and stakeholder communications.
• Experience managing contracts, vendors, budgets, and operational logistics preferred.
• Experience working with STEM education programs and youth development initiatives is preferred.

Certifications:

• Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED certification required or ability to obtain within established timeframes.
• Emergency response, wilderness first aid, emergency management, or related certifications preferred.
• American Camp Association (ACA) Camp Director Certification preferred.

Licenses, etc.: Valid driver's license is necessary when operating a vehicle while on agency business.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Knowledge:

• Principles and practices of residential camp administration and youth development.
• Applicable health, safety, and regulatory requirements governing youth programs.
• Risk management, emergency preparedness, and crisis response procedures.
• Personnel management, staff supervision, and performance evaluation practices.
• Educational program development and experiential learning methodologies.
• Budget management, contract administration, and operational planning principles.
• Child protection standards, mandatory reporting requirements, and behavioral management practices.

Skills:

• Leadership and team development.
• Program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.
• Crisis management and emergency decision-making.
• Organizational and project management.
• Public speaking and stakeholder engagement.
• Data management and administrative recordkeeping.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other applicable software systems.

Abilities:

• Ability to oversee complex residential operations that require continuous supervision and risk management.
• Ability to make sound decisions during emergency situations.
• Ability to effectively supervise and motivate diverse teams.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with parents, staff, schools, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret and apply regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise professional judgment.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, and climb stairs for extended periods.
• Ability to traverse indoor and outdoor camp environments.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to respond quickly to emergencies occurring throughout the camp environment.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours as operational needs require.

Work Environment:

• Combination of professional office, educational, residential, and outdoor recreation settings.
• Frequent interaction with students, staff, parents, and community partners.
• Exposure to varying weather conditions during outdoor programming and activities.
• Position may require overnight and extended-hour responsibilities during camp operations.
• Position requires availability to respond to after-hours emergencies and operational needs.

Ability to pass state and federal criminal background investigations and child abuse registry screening. Must be able to obtain and maintain eligibility for issuance of a NASA credential. Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check and drug test.