Cooking Instructor, Camp Kaleidoscope, Summer Day Camp
About the role
JCC Greater Boston is seeking enthusiastic Cooking Instructors to design and lead engaging culinary activities for children in grades 4–8 at our summer day camp in Newton, MA. Specialists are role models who create safe, inclusive, and fun program areas where kids can explore, learn, and build confidence through hands-on cooking experiences.
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
- Auxiliary support for overall camp operations as needed (drop-off/pick-up, transitions, lunch, supervision, etc.)
Requirements
- High school degree preferred
- College degree, concentration, certification, or equivalent experience in cooking, nutrition, or related field preferred
- 1+ season (summer camp, semester, other) instructor experience planning and leading activities for children
- 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
- Ability 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
- 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
- Able 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 swim and supervise children in pool (able to stand in pool)
ADA Statement
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 with a daily schedule of 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday. Offering great perks, including JCC Health & Fitness center access, a supportive, vibrant in-person work environment, and a competitive starting pay rate of $20 per hour. The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.
Schedule
This 8 week camp program is June 22 - August 21, including staff training. While we prefer candidates who are available all summer, we recognize that candidates may have other obligations and are happy to work with your schedule.