Day Camp Director (Temporary - Summer Employment)

Full Job Description

Open continuously and is subject to close at any time. A first review of applications is scheduled for the week of February 9th.

THIS IS A TEMPORARY SEASONAL JOB TO SUPPORT THE SUMMER RECREATION DAY CAMP PROGRAM.

When the school year comes to an end, the City of Pasadena offers traditional Summer Day Camps, Enrichment Camps, Outdoor Neighborhood Park Camps, and a unique Arroyo Seco Adventure Camp.

The Traditional Summer Day Camps offer youth opportunities to get involved in group games, sports, arts and crafts, swimming, computers, science, and music.

These camps include Victory Park Camp, Villa Parke Camp, and Robinson Park Camp. All camps facilitate an array of activities, including science, art, sports, fitness, and dance.

The Outdoor Neighborhood Park Camps give campers an opportunity to enjoy arts & crafts, physical fitness games and challenges, dance, and enrichment activities.

The Arroyo Seco Adventures Camp offers participants an opportunity to learn about our local, natural resources in a fun and exciting way.

This outdoor camp pairs environmental education with traditional camp activities.

Participants go on nature lead walks learning about conservation of environmental resources, native plants and local wildlife.

Youth participate in archery, horseback riding and hiking, and practice their gardening and survival skills.

The Day Camp Director (Summer) under general supervision, assists in the planning and delivery of recreation programs and activities to the community at recreation sites and centers and neighborhood parks.

The ideal candidate will possess recent experience in supervising day camp programs, coordinating the implementation of recreation activities for youth participants in a group setting, and supervising staff.

For the Arroyo Seco Adventures Camp, the ideal candidate will possess recent experience in an organized outdoor education/adventure program focusing on programs and activities in outdoor education, outdoor adventures, eco systems, environment, wildlife habitats, and native/invasive plants.

A background in biology and/or earth sciences is also ideal.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The Day Camp Director is a temporary assignment for up to eight weeks depending on program needs. Work hours vary up to 20-40 hours per week depending on assignment. Summer Day Camp staff must be available to work beginning Monday, June 8, 2026, through Friday, July 31, 2026. Dates subject to change depending on program need.

Requirements

The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the Day Camp Director job description.

• Supervises day camp and/or outdoor education programs at an assigned site.
• Plans, promotes, organizes, schedules, and supervises all recreational activities on site.
• Inventories and orders recreation and instructional equipment and supplies.
• Organizes and conducts special activities and/or events.
• Provides daily inspection of park or site grounds for care and upkeep.
• Handles emergency situations arising at the site including injuries, serious illness, and/or accidents; enforces safety procedures for participants and staff.
• Maintains records and submits reports in a timely manner (attendance reports, progress reports, weekly summary reports, timecards, incident reports, accident reports, program planning proposals and evaluations).
• Understands and coordinates the inclusion of children with disabilities.

• Physical strength and agility to lift up to 50 lbs., bend in all directions, squeeze with arms and hands, pull and lower up to 50 lbs.

• Addresses parent, guardian, or participant concerns.
• Supervises camp staff and participants during field trips.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position.

• Customer Focusattends to the needs and expectation of customers.
• Handling Conflictmanages interpersonally strained situations.
• Leadership guides and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal.
• Managing Performance ensures superior individual and group performance.
• Oral Communication engages effectively in dialogue.

Professional & Technical Expertiseknowledge in organized public recreation programs and organization; equipment and supplies used for recreation activities; record keeping procedures.

ForArroyo Seco Adventure Camp, knowledge in organized recreation programs in outdoor education, outdoor adventures, eco systems, environment, wildlife habitats, and native/invasive plants.

• Safety Focusshows vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards.
• Self-Management shows personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability.
• Writing communicates effectively in writing.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications

• Three years of full-time recent experience in implementing a variety of community recreation programs and activities is required.
• A Class C California Driver's License is required at the time of appointment.

Desired qualifications

• Experience working with youth with disabilities and other special needs is preferred.

SELECTION PROCESS:

The selection process may consist of any combination of training and experience evaluation, Subject Matter Expert review, interview panel, and department-level interviews.

VACANCY INFORMATION:

Summer vacancies occurring in the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department may be filled as a result of this examination process. The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill this vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.

Candidates selected for this position are subject to a one-year probationary period; however, the current positions are temporary summer assignments.

PROBATIONARY WORK TEST PERIOD = (Summer Temporary Employment)

FLSA = Non-Exempt

Additional Information

Candidates are required to successfully complete a medical examination including drug screen and a criminal background live scan screen consistent with state and federal law.

A Class C California Driver's License is also required at time of appointment.

Physical strength and agility to lift up to 50 lbs., bend in all directions, squeeze with arms and hands, pull and lower up to 50 lbs.

Summer Day Camp staff must be available to work beginning Monday, June 8, 2026, through Friday, July 31, 2026. Dates subject to change depending on program need.