Camp Equine Staff

FLSA Status: Seasonal position

Starting Salary: $800 per week, plus room and board

Employment Dates: May 19 through June 30, 2024

The Camp Equine Staff reports to the Equine Director to provide and maintain an efficient, safe, and meaningful Girl Scout Leadership Experience and Girl Programming through assisting in the development and delivery of GSSNVs Equestrian Riding Programs ensuring that they are safe, fun, and appropriate to the campers’ ages and abilities. Assist in the care and maintenance of our herd of 13 horses, 2 miniature horses, 1 donkey and related equipment.

Weekly transportation to and from Camp Frias Frontier, Alamo is provided.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following; other duties may need to be assigned according to the particular needs of your council and areas of supervision.

Program

• Under the supervision of the Equine Director, help develop and implement an equestrian program that is appropriate for the ages and abilities of the campers.
• Assist, plan and lead quality equestrian activities and programs including but not limited to riding lessons, trail rides, ground lessons, and horsemanship education.
• Plan and carry out a quality and interactive equine program.
• Cooperate and participate to the fullest in all planning, coordinating and delivery of ALL camp programs.
• Assist in delivering session-long progressive programming tracks for all campers.
• Carry out duties as delegated during programming and take a positive leadership role when the Equine Director is not in the program areas.
• Comfortable working with campers ages 5-18 and staff 18+.
• Understand and know the campers in their unit and help them to respect the rights of others and to appreciate differences and similarities so that all campers get the most out of their stay at camp.
• Is responsible for the health and safety of campers and staff including self.
• Check the well-being of horses and reports concerns to the Equine Director.
• Submit records, reports and inventories as required. Help to maintain equipment.
• Give direction and guidance as it is needed for the riding program to be successful during the summer.
• Ensure the proper care, use, and maintenance of equipment or materials used for camper activities.
• Participate in pre and post camp training, inventory, and general before and after camp clean-up as assigned.
• Help guide activities and experiences in the camp units through the use of girl planning and the GSLE Program.
• Help to provide and maintain camp and unit cohesiveness by modeling constructive and enthusiastic participation in all program areas.
• Carry out duties as delegated and take a positive leadership role in program areas and camper units.
• From time to time, the ability to work with other Unit Leaders, Administrative Staff, and the possibility of outside vendors to create weekly schedules.
• Take time off in accordance with GSSNV and Camp Frias Frontier policy as indicated by immediate supervisor.
• Live in unit and has designated unit responsibilities as assigned that do not interfere with carryout the responsibilities of the riding program.

Staff & Camper Support

• Be a role model to campers and staff in your attitude, behavior, and following of camp procedures.
• Apply basic youth development principles to empower campers, embrace diversity, aid in competency development, and build connections.
• Assist Equine Director in evaluating riding abilities of campers and delivering progressive horseback riding activities.
• Adapt activities as necessary to create a progression-based program that supports the needs and experience of the participants.
• Supervise campers in equestrian areas and ensure safety at all times. Maintain high standards of health and safety.
• Provide supervision, support, guidance, regular feedback, and support to unit counselors, other team members/co-workers, and campers.
• Coordinate with the Equine Director, Administrative Staff to review weekly unit counselor feedback to ensure staff are placed in appropriate working units.
• Maintain positive, professional relationships with campers and staff.
• Prioritize the needs of campers.
• Provide an environment where every camper/Girl Scout feels welcome, safe, and included.
• Help staff and campers to respect others, demonstrate how to appreciate differences and similarities so that campers get the most out of their stay at camp.
• Ensure everything that needs to be done is done so that every camper has a great summer at camp.

Health & Safety

• Ensure that unit activities are carried out in accordance with safety standards.
• Ensure that camp staff and campers know and follow safety and educational procedures in equestrian areas.
• Follow and uphold all risk management procedures and activities.
• Assist in the daily care and maintenance of the camp’s herd including but not limited to feeding, grooming and basic medical care.
• Conduct daily checks of facilities and equipment for safety, cleanliness, and good repair.
• Apply behavior management techniques alongside fellow counselors and leaders.
• Be familiar with the council emergency action plan and procedures.
• Maintain the cleanliness of all facilities; including but not limited to camp staff living areas, bathrooms, restocking of necessary supplies, garbage/recycling, and campfire areas.
• Ensure camper and Equine Staff health needs are met. This includes and is not limited to knowledge of medication schedules, allergies, dietary restrictions, monitoring campers’ water intake and use of sunscreen.

Systems & Communications

• Maintain strict confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive information regarding campers or staff members.
• Report any concerns regarding horses or equipment to Equestrian Director and/or Camp Director.
• Maintain horse equipment and tack.
• Submit records, reports and inventories as required.
• Provide any and all information to Unit Lead Counselors and/or staff to complete the “Daily Unit Log.”
• Instruct staff and camper in established emergency procedures such as fire drills, evacuations, etc. and understand your role in crisis management.
• Adhere to established routines, schedules, and procedures for camp operation.
• Share camper and staff photos/stories regularly with administration for caregivers and camp social media purposes.

Positive Relationships

• Maintain clear and positive verbal communication with all campers, co-workers, and parent/guardians.
• Honor diversity by ensuring that all materials, activities, and programs are reflective of the interests, values, and needs of all campers.
• Address conflicts between staff and/or campers.
• Ability to think and act calmly in a crisis.
• Positive approach to all Camp rules, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrate maturity, sense of humor, integrity, and flexibility.

• Minimum 18 years of age or older with High School Diploma or GED.
• Current and valid First Aid and CPR Certification required – training provided.
• Experience with horsemanship and horseback riding required.
• Knowledge and experience in coordinating, implements and supervising youth programs in an outdoor setting.
• Desire and ability to work with children outdoors.
• Previous experience with overnight camp or working with children preferred.
• At least one season (six weeks) of experience in a camp setting preferred.
• Cognitive and communicative ability to manage multiple complex tasks and follow instructions.
• Excellent communication skills. Ability to keep supervisor informed and aware of activities/problems with campers.
• 6-day work week required. 24–48-hour break period.
• Ability to interact with children of all age levels.
• Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Knowledge of Girl Scout program desired, but not required.
• Willing to accept the beliefs and principles of the Girl Scout Movement and accept the relevance and compelling benefits of Girl Scouting.
• Support all GSSNV policies and procedures.
• Must be willing to become a member of Girl Scouts.

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.

• Ability to share living quarters with other staff in the outdoors which may include, but not limited to sleeping directly on the ground, primitive camping, rustic cabins, or dormitory cabins.
• Self-regulate personal behavior in a fast-paced community environment.
• This position is designated as a safety sensitive position.
• Must possess strength and endurance, and emotional well-being required to maintain supervision of campers and other staff members.
• Ability to go without personal electronic devices for several day at a time while on duty.
• Prolonged standing, some bending, stooping, climbing, and stretching.
• Hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate outdoor and camp equipment.
• Ability to lift and/or move items up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
• Daily exposure to the sun, heat, and animals such as bugs, snakes, bats, etc.
• Hiking or walking long distances; up to 3-5 miles per day.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This job functions primarily out of Frias Frontier, located in Alamo, Lincoln County, which is up to 68-acre property at 3,449 plus feet. Frias Frontier is subject to extreme temperature, snow and wind.

Disclaimer: The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Background Check Required as Condition of Employment
Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) located in Las Vegas, NV.