About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Programs & Impact Officer you will own and elevate all summer camp operations for our Zilker location. While your core focus is our flagship 10-day/9-night summer sessions (June–August), you aren't on an island—you are part of an interconnected team of 3 Camp Directors transitioning into a collaborative rotation and backfill model across all seasonal sessions (Spring Break, Winter Break, and Summer). The Camp Director lives on-site and on-call during the entire duration of their assigned session.
Your Impact
- Camp Operations & Culture: Lead the full life cycle of Zilker camp sessions—from opening/closing rituals to ACA/DSHS compliance, safety protocols, facility upkeep, and vendor management. Serve as the chief driver of camp spirit and camper safety.
- People Leadership: In partnership with HR, recruit, onboard, coach, and inspire a high-performing team of seasonal staff, kitchen crew, and collegiate volunteers. Each Zilker camp session has 40-50 seasonal staff to meet our camper-staff ratios.
- Camp Operations & Safety: Direct daily operations, facilities upkeep, kitchen services, and emergency protocols for all Zilker sessions. Ensure full compliance with ACA accreditation and Texas DSHS standards.
- Year-round Programing & Community Engagement: Drive camper recruitment year-round by engaging families, schools, and local partners, while organizing seasonal family connection events.
- Program & Data Optimization: Use qualitative and quantitative data to continuously elevate programming, refine staff training, and enhance the overall camper experience.
- Fiscal & Administrative Oversight: Manage the camp budget, inventory, procurement, third-party vendor relationships, and end-of-season reporting.
- Youth Leadership Development: Design and deliver curriculum for our Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program, mentoring older youth as they build leadership skills and transition into future camp staff.
Who You Are
You take ownership. You are accountable for personal and team results. You take initiative without being asked. You get your hands dirty when needed. You lead by example.
You're a proven leader. You can identify potential and develop talent. You are a cheerleader and coach. You know how to bring the best out of people. You care.
You can handle complex stuff. Logistics is in your DNA. You know how to add structure and build processes. Multitasking doesn’t phase you.
You believe in the power of camp. You understand the inner-workings of camp. You know firsthand the impact of camp on campers. You exude passion in your work.
Requirements
- Must be able to live onsite at camp in Zilker Park when camp is in session, housing is only provided when camp is in session.
- 4+ years experience in camp leadership, site operations, youth programing or related field required
- 2+ years of people leadership required
- Ability to establish priorities, develop reports and meet deadlines
- Ability to maintain composure and work efficiently under pressure and in changing conditions
- Ability to acquire and maintain required certifications (Lifeguard Trainer, CPR/First Aid Trainer, Ropes Course Level 1 Facilitator, Archery Certificate, Food Handlers Certificate, Youth Protection)
- Experience leveraging camp management platforms such as CampBrain or similar systems preferred.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to pass a criminal background check
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education, Child Development, Outdoor Recreation or similar degree preferred
- Conversational Spanish proficiency (preferred)