Camps and Recreation Manager at Conner Prairie Museum

Description

Principal Function

The Camp Manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing all summer and specialty camps, as well as assigned special programs. The role provides leadership in staff hiring and training, program design, and risk management, ensuring safe, high-quality, and mission-driven experiences for all campers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Staffing & Leadership – Recruit, hire, train, and supervise camp staff (counselors, lifeguards, instructors, and specialty facilitators); manage scheduling, performance, and team culture throughout the season.
2. Program Oversight – Plan and implement camp programming across all activity areas with a focus on safety, curiosity, and camper development.
3. Training & Development – Lead training sessions and ongoing professional development; ensure staff are equipped in safety, youth protection, risk management, and Conner Prairie’s mission and values.
4. Risk Management – Serve as primary safety officer for high-risk activities (ropes course, OASIS challenge course, Burrow, zipline, waterfront); oversee inspections, equipment maintenance, safety briefings, and emergency procedures; maintain records for insurance and compliance.
5. Camper Experience – Oversee group assignments, behavior management, guardian communication, and daily operations to ensure a safe, inclusive, and positive experience for all campers.
6. Budget & Logistics – Manage supply inventory, purchasing, vendor relationships, and departmental budget; oversee camp setup and teardown each season.
7. Collaboration & Community – Coordinate with internal departments (education, interpretation, guest services, advancement, HR) and external partners (schools, community groups, HSE) to strengthen programming and expand impact. A key responsibility includes supporting the HSE Teacher-in-Residence program during the school year by collaborating closely with Teacher-in-Residence Amy Murch, scheduling activities, and co-teaching a variety of camp- and museum-related programs.
8. Evaluation & Improvement – Collect and analyze camper, staff, and family feedback to inform ongoing program improvements and strategic planning.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises all seasonal and support staff for Adventure Camp, including Specialty Staff (zipline, bikes, first aid), Peer Leaders, Counselors, and Lifeguards.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws, including interviewing, hiring, training, scheduling, evaluating, and resolving staff concerns.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) in education, early childhood education, or a related field is required.
• Master’s degree (M.A./M.B.A.) is preferred.
• A minimum of five years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Prior experience in camp operations is preferred.
• Supervisory experience is required.
• Experience in a museum, school, or entertainment/park environment is preferred.

Certifications:

• Lifeguard certification is preferred; willingness to obtain certification is strongly desired.
• Level 2 ropes course certification for training is preferred. Candidates who are not currently certified will be provided with training to achieve Level 2 certification.
   

Other Skills and Abilities:
The following skills and abilities are required or preferred for success in this role:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Canva, Google Sheets) and Adobe is required.
• Strong knowledge of camp operations and programming is required.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and manage departmental budgets is required.
• Ability to interview, supervise, train, and support seasonal staff effectively is required.
• First Aid/CPR certification is required (training may be provided if not current).
• Ability to build and maintain strong partnerships with community organizations is required.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to read, write, and speak in English, are required; bilingual proficiency in Spanish is preferred.
• Experience developing and delivering engaging programs and activities, ideally incorporating historical, scientific, or K–12 educational standards, is preferred.
• Experience in museum. school, or entertainment/park environments is preferred.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, and scanners, is required.

Qualifications

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty according to the requirements of the organization. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Competencies: To perform this job successfully, all employees at Conner Prairie should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Customer Service – Responds to requests for service and assistance; Manages difficult or emotional customer situations focusing on listening without interrupting and keeping ones emotions under control; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Maintains confidentiality and meets commitments; Remains open to others ideas and tries new things.
• Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
• Diversity – Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
• Ethics – Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization’s goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality/Quantity – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to promote and improve quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality; Meets productivity standards; Completes work in a timely manner; Strives to increase productivity and works quickly.
• Safety/Security – Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Attendance/Punctuality/Dependability – Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and events on time; Follows instructions; Responds to management’s direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternative plan.

Job-related Competencies – To perform this job successfully, employees in this job should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Delegation - Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Cost Consciousness – Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.
• Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands             organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.

Physical Demands:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently will stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee occasionally will climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; taste or smell. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally is exposed to working in wet or humid conditions (non-weather), near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places, and outdoor weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

While the offices of Conner Prairie are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, this position may require work beyond these hours and on the weekends. It also may require occasional domestic travel.  Thus, a valid driver’s license is required.