Art Instructor, School Break Camps

About the role

JCC Greater Boston is looking for enthusiastic Art Specialists to design and lead engaging activities for children in grades K-5 at our School Break Camps (December, February, Passover, and April school breaks). The Arts & Crafts Specialist leads daily visual arts activities, encouraging exploration, self-expression, and joy through a variety of media. From jewelry and collage to sculpture, painting, and more, you'll help campers bring their ideas to life while building confidence and having fun.

What you will do each day

Each day, you'll bring art to life, inspiring campers, empowering them with new skills, sparking their creativity, and contributing to a colorful and vibrant camp culture. You'll lead hands-on art activities, organize materials, and help campers explore projects in jewelry making, painting, clay, sewing, and more. Beyond your specialty, you'll also be part of the camp team: helping with transitions, supporting special events, and ensuring campers feel included and connected.

Example art projects include

• Clay sculptures
• Watercolor
• Friendship bracelets
• Post-making
• Tracing
• Jewelry making
• And more!

Primary responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and lead age-appropriate activities in your specialty area
• Ensure the safety and well-being of campers during activities
• Create a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment that encourages skill-building and exploration
• Work in partnership with counselors and camp leadership to provide a cohesive, positive camper experience
• Maintain, organize, and request necessary supplies and equipment
• Adapt activities to meet the needs and abilities of diverse campers
• Support camp-wide special events and large-group programming as assigned
• Assist with overall camp operations as needed (drop-off/pick-up, transitions, lunch, supervision, etc.)

Standard staff expectations

• Actively create a welcoming dynamic that contributes to an environment where each individual is valued and respected
• Actively participate as an essential team member
• Support JCC Greater Boston's mission, vision, and values of belonging, joyfulness, collaboration, and transformation, including through role modeling
• Enthusiastically representing the organization, model excellence and achievement
• Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

Available dates

• December Camp: December 24, 26, 29, 30, 31 and January 2
• February Camp: February 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
• Passover Camp: April 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
• Spring Break Camp: April 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

Candidates do not need to commit to all dates. Staff are scheduled by the day and shift.

Available shifts each day

• Full Day 8:30am – 4:30pm, 8 hours
• Morning Shift 7:30am – 3:30pm, 8 hours
• Afternoon Shift 10am – 6pm, 8 hours

Education and experience

• High school degree preferred
• College degree, concentration, certification, or equivalent experience in specialty area preferred
• 1+ season (summer camp, semester, other) instructor experience planning and leading activities for children
• Portfolio or examples of projects preferred
• Customer service experience preferred
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC's discretion to meet minimum criteria

Skills and abilities

• Genuine enjoyment of working with children and helping them grow
• Passion and expertise in your specialty area (arts, sports, music, cooking, science, etc.)
• Ability to plan and lead age-appropriate, engaging, and inclusive activities
• Excellent group management skills
• Strong communication, teamwork, and collaboration skills with campers and staff
• Safety awareness and ability to manage risks during activities
• Creativity, flexibility and patience to adapt activities for diverse camper needs
• Positive, energetic attitude and commitment to fostering an inclusive, joyful camp environment
• Proactive problem-solving and willingness to ask for guidance when needed
• Self-starter who takes the initiative
• Must be able to work well with others, building/sustaining collaborative solid relationships
• Ability to manage situations effectively and diplomatically and ask for help, guidance, or clarification when needed
• Commitment to build strong relationships with campers, co-workers, and camp leadership

Physical requirements

• Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities
• Ability to work in variety of weather conditions for extended periods of time in case of rain, heat, humidity, cold, or other environmental factors to ensure the supervision and safety of campers in our care
• Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30-40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children's backpacks, etc.)
• Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly

Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Pay

This is an hourly position offering a competitive starting pay rate of $17 per hour. The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.

Benefits

Each seasonal employee is eligible for access to JCC Greater Boston's top class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton! Seasonal access to the JCC Fitness Center includes:

• Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal-Sidman JCC during active seasonal employment
• Free or discounted enrollment for camp programs may be available for camp employees' children based on availability

Benefits are subject to review and change by the Organization, and plan documents are the primary determinant.

About JCC Greater Boston

Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, diverse community by nurturing meaningful, lasting relationships. Through our network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs, health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes, JCC Greater Boston provides highly valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends. JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where their talents and contributions are appreciated. In our recent employee survey, staff rated their direct management and organizational alignment experiences close to 90% positive.

JCC Greater Boston is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston's core values: Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation, which we hope resonate with all.

To learn more about what makes JCC Greater Boston a wonderful place to work, please visit our careers page at https://www.bostonjcc.org/careers/