ABOUT BUCK’S ROCK CAMP 

Buck’s Rock Camp is a residential, overnight, 501(c)(3) summer arts program in western Connecticut where young artists can make their own choices, follow their own passions, and create their own incredible summer experiences. For two months, young artists work on-site with professional counselors and artists in a wide range of studio and performance art spaces. The community enjoys communal living in bunks, nestled in the foothills of the Housatonic Valley nearly two hours from New York City. Supported by a legacy of programming aimed at the empowerment of young artists through freedom-of-choice styled learning, Buck's Rock Camp will be entering its 81st summer in 2023 and its 3rd year as a nonprofit organization. 

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

We are seeking a Director of Operations to oversee logistical and operational activities for Buck’s Rock Camp. The person in this position will be a guiding force, responsible for improving systems and working in partnership with the President to strategically implement the vision for the organization. This role has an emphasis on budget management, staff hiring and evaluation, program oversight, as well as policy and procedure implementation to ensure compliance and safety for campers and staff. The Director of Operations reports to the President, and directly supervises a number of staff, including the Camp Director and Camp Administrator. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Operations Administration (approximately 50% of the time) 

• Administer systems with department heads to ensure that the expectations of staff, campers, and counselors are met or exceeded; improve systems and assign follow-up items to the team as necessary. 

• With consultation from outsourced HR firm, manage human resources and day-to-day operations including hiring, firing, and implementing structures for inclusive recruiting, supervision, evaluation, and onboarding during seasonal staff training. 

• Develop a growth environment fostering staff engagement, accountability, and retention; create, strengthen, and lead a culture of trust, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

• Understand the roles and responsibilities of all staff; collaborate on setting effective workflow procedures; support and supervise Camp Director, and Camp Administrator. 

• Develop annual department budget, track and project operating expenses; remain communicative about and accountable to any variances. 

• Supervise the management of department budgets; track and approve department expenditures; provide narrative for staff’s holistic understanding of budget implications; with full staff, achieve budgeted revenue and savings goals. 

• Interface with seasonal and year-round vendors, contractors, and suppliers.

• Preserve a safe, healthy, ethically responsible, and legally compliant camp environment; maintain accreditation with American Camp Association; consistently seek out current and best practices for health and safety standards; enforce legal guidelines and organizational policies; ensure risk is managed through updated and relevant insurance policies.

• Analyze problematic situations and develop solutions to ensure organizational resilience, sustainability, and improvement. 

Strategy + Policy Execution (approximately 25% of the time) 

• Design and implement short- and long-term initiatives that are responsive to current opportunities and enhance organizational sustainability; with President, develop sound business strategies to manifest the vision. 

• Maintain and review internal operation controls concerning communication flow, purchasing, permissions, and systems for optimum shared information and accountability. 

• Review and annually provide input on Staff and Family Handbook to accurately reflect current procedures, and equity and accessibility considerations. 

Relationship Management (approximately 25% of the time) 

• Conduct camp outreach at fairs. 

• With Camp Director, maintain communication with camper families. 

• Provide relevant updates, counsel, and reporting for President and/or Board of Directors. 

• With staff, engage donors at fundraisers.

IDEAL CANDIDATE SKILLS + EXPERIENCE 

The ideal candidate is energetic, nimble, highly organized, and calm under pressure. Just as comfortable operating behind the scenes as they are engaging donors at a fundraiser, prospective candidates must be able to manage competing priorities, demonstrate cultural competency, communicate considerately, and possess computer and organizational skills. While experience in the arts is not required for this role, the candidate should have an appreciation for and an understanding of the impact of the arts, as well as an interest in youth development. 

The ideal candidate will bring the following skills and experience: 

• Minimum of 2 years experience in a leadership position that may include: 

• Supervising and supporting staff and young adults 

• Budget development and implementation 

• Overseeing youth outdoor education or arts programming 

• Administrative or supervisory experience in an organized camp 

• Ability to foster a culture of accountability – including self-accountability 

• Respectful and resourceful; ability to maintain a high standard of camp experience while supporting the mission to make the camp more inclusive and affordable 

• Liaise sensitively with a broad network of staff, counselors, campers, families, and alumni

• Financial acumen and deep understanding of how budgets work; comfort managing budgets, and tracking and projecting income and expenses 

• Strong and demonstrated commitment to an anti-racist, diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment 

• Balanced sense of confidence to self-start – with humility to accept feedback and support

• Ability and emotional wisdom to act swiftly and appropriately in a crisis or emergency

• Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and boosted per current CDC recommendations 

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER 

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The team member may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. 

COMPENSATION + BENEFITS 

Hybrid work environment. Must reside in NY, CT, RI, or driving distance from New Milford, CT. Regular compensated travel to camp is required, most frequently in spring through early fall. Full-time, 40 hours per week, salaried; $80,000 - $90,000 per year 

Benefits: Fully compensated health Insurance; 11 paid holidays + 15 days paid time off 

COVID-19 Precautions: Remote interview process; virtual meetings; when on site, follows CT state mandated protocol 

TO APPLY 

Click on the link here: https://airtable.com/shrHm90yFtCRi9UUf 

Please upload a resume and short but thoughtful cover letter that describes your specific interest in Buck’s Rock Camp and explains how your qualifications align with the position description. Applications without a resume and cover letter will not be considered. 

While the position is open until filled, the priority deadline is: 3/1/23. 

Deb Dormody Consulting is conducting this search on behalf of Buck’s Rock Camp. Please direct confidential inquiries and accommodation requests to Deb Dormody at careers@bucksrockcamp.org with subject line “Buck’s Rock Director of Operations search question”. 

Anticipated job hiring process and timeline: 

• At the beginning of March, we will conduct short prescreen interviews with candidates whose qualifications, skills, and experience meet our needs. 

• For candidates who advance through all stages, there will be three full interviews with: 1. the Buck’s Rock President, 2. Buck’s Rock board member(s) + DEI advisory council representative(s), and 3. President + staff member(s). 

• Evaluate candidate references and make offer of employment. 

• Preferred start is April / May 2023.

Buck’s Rock is committed in policy, principle, and practice to maintaining an environment that prohibits discriminatory behavior and provides equal opportunity for all persons. We enthusiastically invite and seek applications from historically marginalized communities, BIPOC, bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the LGBTQ communities. Buck’s Rock does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, present or past history of mental or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law. 

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), and The Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (CFEPA), it is the policy of Buck’s Rock Camp to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact us today at info@bucksrockcamp.org (to schedule a video call if necessary), phone/TTY: (860) 354-5030, or mail: 59 Buck’s Rock Rd, New Milford, CT 06776.