Recreation Supervisor
Number of Positions: 2 Full Time Vacancies
Locations:
Camp Woodeden Vacancy – London, Ontario
Camp Merrywood Vacancy – Perth, Ontario
Anticipated Start Date: December 2024
Salary: $50,000 – $55,000 (based on experience)
Please note: The successful applicant will be required to live on site from mid-May until the end of August (every year).
Do you want to work with people, make a difference in their lives, and get the breadth of experience you can build a meaningful career on? Do you have extensive experience leading a team in a camp environment? Do you pride yourself on your strong interpersonal and relationship building skills? Do you have exceptional organizational and time management skills and thrive working in dynamic and fast paced environment? Do you think you have what it takes to become our Recreation Supervisor? If you answered YES, we want to hear from you!
About Easter Seals Ontario
Easter Seals is a registered charitable organization that helps children and youth with physical disabilities from all ethnic and religious backgrounds. Since 1922, with the help of our generous donors, Easter Seals has been offering programs and services that enable kids to experience greater independence and focus on what they can do rather than on their limitations. We assist families with the purchase of essential mobility and accessibility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, porch lifts and ramps, as well as toileting aids and bathing equipment. We are also an industry leader in providing accessible summer camp programs at our two camps, Camp Woodeden in London and Camp Merrywood in Perth. In addition, Easter Seals offers access to special education and other information resources for parents and public education and awareness on disability issues.
What’s it like to work at Easter Seals Ontario?
It’s challenging, stimulating, and hugely rewarding. Our positions offer tremendous diversity and excellent opportunities for professional growth. Together, we are helping kids BE KIDS! EasterSeals.org.
Position Overview
The Recreation Supervisor serves as a cornerstone of the camp’s operations, with responsibilities that span recreational programming, facility management, rental coordination, and maintenance support. This multifaceted role ensures the smooth delivery of high-quality, engaging, and inclusive recreational activities for campers, while also meeting the operational needs of the facility for rental groups and community partners. The Recreation Supervisor provides proactive leadership, fostering a safe, welcoming, and accessible environment that aligns with Easter Seals Ontario’s mission of empowering children and youth with physical disabilities.
By combining program development expertise with operational oversight, this position plays a critical role in maintaining the day-to-day functionality of the camp and enhancing the overall experience for all participants and stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a collaborative team player with strong critical thinking skills and the ability to problem-solve effectively while focusing on promoting the goals outlined in the strategic plan for the recreation program.
Key Priorities for the Role
- Operations Management
- Financial Management
- Property and Facilities Support
- Communication & Administration
- Summer Camp Life Supervisor (May – August)
- Program Planning, Development, and Evaluation
- Staff Management and Development
Major Responsibilities
Operations Management
- Execute operational strategies.
- Monitor and evaluate all programs and services through regular visitation of site, hands-on leadership, and implementation of appropriate evaluation tools.
- Investigate, manage and oversee all incidents and serious concerns.
- Implement the camp’s crisis response plan as required.
Financial Management
- Monitor budget for camp and make recommendations to the Senior Manager as required.
Property and Facilities Support
- Consult and work with the Site Supervisors
- Ensure all emergency plans are in place, up-to-date and known by all site personnel including, but not limited to fire, medical emergency, wild animals, natural disasters and other threats
- Determining that all equipment used at camp is safe and compliant with the appropriate regulations.
Communication & Administration
- Communications, correspondence and the provision of excellent customer service for all campers, families and various program participants in order to assure the highest retention possible.
- Partner with community groups, service clubs and donors.
- Reinforce the camp philosophy, policies and standards by acting as a role model to the staff and being an active participant in the camp community.
- Other responsibilities as required to ensure the success of the program.
Camp Life Supervisor – Summer Deployment (will be required to live on site from mid-May until the end of August – every year).
- Lead the Summer Camp Program by serving as Supervisor of Camp Life during the summer camp season, offering hands-on guidance and strong leadership to all staff, campers and family members.
- Provide Strategic Support by acting as a key resource for troubleshooting, decision-making, and ensuring the delivery of exceptional care to campers and an overall positive working experience for staff.
- Foster a Positive Environment by cultivating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for both staff and campers, promoting teamwork, and ensuring a memorable camp experience for everyone.
Program Planning, Development, and Evaluation
- Plan and implement programs in conjunction with the Senior Manager of Recreation and Camp Leadership Team – pre-camp training, the open house and other special events.
- In collaboration with the Senior Manager, review the camp program on a regular basis to ensure the program is meeting the objectives of the recreation department and those of Easter Seals Ontario.
Staff Management and Development
- Recruit, hire, train, motivate, manage, supervise and evaluate all seasonal counsellors, program staff, volunteers and members of the Leadership Team.
- Remain visible and accessible by participating as fully as possible in all camp programs.
- Work with the Human Resources team to ensure that all policies and processes are followed, and employees are compliant.
- Support and provide leadership to all Camp staff including in the development and delivery of recreational plans.
Required Professional Designation/Certificate
- University Degree and/or College Diploma in disciplines surrounding Children and Youth, Recreation, Social Work, Community Programming, and/or Community Development.
- Valid Driver’s License.
- Current Standard First Aid & CPR-C certification required.
- High Ropes Course certification (for Camp Woodeden), National Lifeguarding Society certification (for Camp Merrywood) WHMIS, Ontario’s Safe Drinking Water Operator’s Certification an asset (will provide training).
Required Experience
- Minimum of five (5) years in a similar role.
- Extensive experience facilitating recreational programming for children.
- Experience facilitating workshops for youth and adults
- Proven knowledge of and experience facilitating high quality recreational programs – planning, implementation and evaluation of outcome-based programs.
- Demonstrated experience to effectively manage and lead others in a team atmosphere.
- Experience working with children/youth who have a physical disability an asset.
- Experience with Camp Brain software considered an asset.
Required Skills & Abilities
- Ability to deal courteously and effectively with the public, participants, parents/guardians of participants and staff.
- Strong writing skills, excellent command of the English language.
- Highly organized with the ability to multi-task, a strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
- Willingness to work long hours and outside of regular 9-5 schedule.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and with flexibility, in order to respond to rapidly shifting priorities.
For consideration, please submit your resume to Human Resources to hr@easterseals.org. Please attach your cover letter (including salary expectations) and resume as one document and reference “Recreation Supervisor – Indicate Preferred Location (indicate which camp location you would like to be considered for) clearly in the subject heading.
Easter Seals Ontario sincerely thanks all applicants for their interest in advance however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The successful candidate must receive clearance by a police background check, including a vulnerable sector screen.
Note: The position will remain open until filled and rolling interviews will be conducted as soon as qualified applications are received. No phone calls please.
Easter Seals Ontario is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from equity seeking groups. Candidates with be provided with an overview of the various elements of the selection process, such as tests, skills demonstrations, etc. Easter Seals Ontario is committed to providing reasonable accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation for disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please indicate this in your cover letter.
