About

Founded in 1938 by Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles, Camp Bob Waldorf operates both Jewish and non-sectarian overnight summer camps along with weekend retreats and school break programs. It is located on 112 acres in the Verdugo Mountains of Glendale, California. Camp Bob Waldorf serves inner-city youth from low-income, homeless, and foster families in Los Angeles County along with underserved and under-engaged Jewish youth from the greater Los Angeles area. Last year, nearly 1,300 youth, ages 9-17, took advantage of the programs offered by the camp.

The purpose of Camp Bob Waldorf is to empower youth in need with the opportunity to have a life-affirming camp experience that includes increasing self-esteem, acquiring greater social skills, cultivating new interests, and feeling like a valued member of the community. We encourage campers to try new activities and make new friends. We teach them social and environmental responsibility—character traits vital to a healthy, caring society. Our campers are inspired and empowered to demonstrate new or enhanced skills gained at camp, supported by their peers and counselors. At camp, each activity is designed to teach the four pillars of camp: Community, Identity, Inclusion, and Respect. Our goal is for campers to feel inspired to utilize these values and concepts and incorporate them into their lives. For most of our Jewish campers, camp provides the only environment for them to learn about their Jewish cultural heritage, participate in Shabbat experiences and explore their own Jewish identity.

The Camp Director will help ensure that the mission and vision of the camp is carried out. This will be achieved through the development, implementation, supervision and evaluation of assigned core responsibilities. Central to the success of this position is the ability to develop mutually respectful relationships with campers, parents, and staff.

The Camp Director has a number of basic responsibilities, including, but not limited to:

• Year-round leadership, administration and oversight of the camp operation
• Camper retention and recruitment
• Staff retention and recruitment
• Marketing and public relations management
• Program development and implementation
• Facility management and oversight of the facility maintenance staff
• Financial management ensuring that all expenses stay within budget guidelines
• Support fundraising and revenue generating efforts at camp
• Development of short and long term strategic goals for growth and development of the camp
• Oversee camp leasing
• Manage kitchen staff to support healthy menus and adequate food service during all camp events.

Qualities Sought in Camp Director:

Camp is a unique and exciting experience. The physical and emotional environment may present challenges, and it is our expectation that the Camp Director will be able to:

• Identify and provide solutions to complex issues and concerns in a professional manner
• Work under pressure and take direction, and work unaided on time-sensitive projects
• Provide ongoing charismatic support to colleagues and other camp staff
• Support and maintain a high level of customer service to camp families and community partners
• Remain flexible

Qualifications of the Camp Director:

• Minimum B.A. from an accredited college or university
• Experience in directing youth programs and/or camps in an overnight setting
• Knowledge of program development, with an understanding of camp programming
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience in financial management and budgeting
• Knowledge and commitment to “best practices” in the camping field

To apply for this position, please send resume and cover letter to Randy Schwab, CEO, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles at rschwab@jbbbsla.org

Department: Youth Mentoring

Status:  Full-time (38-hour work week), Non-Exempt Professional, Union Employee

JOIN A FORWARD-THINKING ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON CHILDREN’S LIVES. Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles (JBBBSLA), celebrating over 100 years of service in the greater Los Angeles area, is seeking a dynamic Mentoring Specialist to join our innovative and collaborative team. JBBBSLA provides mentoring services, teen empowerment programs, college support, and year-round camp experiences at Camp Bob Waldorf.  JBBBSLA is proud to have achieved a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator, their highest level of distinction. Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Our vision is that all children achieve success in life.

Job Summary: The Mentoring Specialist (MS) is responsible for interviewing families and volunteers, providing integrated assessments, making professional recommendations regarding approval and match selection, facilitating match introductions, and supporting the volunteers and children that are matched in the one-to-one mentoring program. The MS will ensure child safety, promote positive impacts for youth, foster constructive and satisfying relationships between children and volunteers, and cultivate a strong sense of affiliation with Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles on the part of the volunteers.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct child and family enrollment interviews, and present child safety information.
• Prepare written assessments and recommendations based on interviews and professional judgment.
• Create safe and appropriate match relationships based on current pool of volunteers and children.
• Conduct Introduction Meetings for new matches, match intervention and other meetings as needed with match parties.
• Conduct regularly scheduled Match Support contacts (either in person or through phone or electronic contact) with the volunteers, children and parents/guardians in order to ascertain that the elements of child safety, match relationship development, positive youth development and volunteer satisfaction are fulfilled. Identify and address potential problems and barriers as early as possible.
• Document comprehensive written summaries of all match support contacts in real-time, web-based contact management software, in order to comply with BBBS standards.
• Facilitate development of Youth Outcome Development Plans for each match.
• Monitor and meet metrics for enrollment and match support goals in the areas of match length and customer satisfaction, as well as match support and survey administration compliance.
• Conduct exit interviews by phone with all parties at match closure. Assess reasons for match closure and re-match/re-engagement potential and conduct re-assessments accordingly.
• Maintain accurate files and documentation on all volunteers and children/families
• Utilize validated surveys to determine health and progression of the match relationship and to determine child’s growth in the program, providing additional support/intervention as needed based on survey data.
• Identify and promote re-engagement of volunteers as Bigs, board members, donors and in other volunteer capacities.
• Support additional projects, as determined in collaboration with supervisor (e.g., mentor training, constituent newsletters, events, etc.)
• Collaborate and share information and resources with other agency staff and management.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications:

We are seeking a candidate with a strong belief in the Mission and Vision of JBBBSLA, as well as the following:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 1-2 years of experience working with children in a social services environment, and/or understanding of child development and family dynamics
• Relationship management experience with youth and/or adult populations preferred.
• Ability to work effectively and sensitively with confidential information.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work both in a team and independently, to exercise good judgment, make sound decisions & problem solve.
• Collaborative workstyle with strong interpersonal skills
• A strong commitment to quality and results
• Strong computer skills: proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet-based applications
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, state-required auto insurance minimums and willingness to travel as necessitated by job responsibilities.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours

BENEFITS PACKAGE:  Competitive salary, paid vacation and sick leave, 3 additional personal days, paid federal and Jewish holidays, and early Friday closure.  Medical/vision/dental insurance, retirement plans (403(b) and Defined Contribution Plan), Life Insurance and Employee Assistance Program.

To apply, please send resume and cover letter to Megan Koehler (mkoehler@jbbbsla.org).