Description
About Girl Scouts of Western Washington
Girl Scouts of Western Washington is consistently and unapologetically committed to providing safe spaces for all girls* to belong. We build Girl Scouts of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Founded in 1912, our organization has been committed to meeting the needs of our youth members for over a century. We uplift all Girl Scouts in a supportive environment where they can discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their very first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. They are the future leaders paving the way toward a brighter tomorrow. To learn more, visit www.girlscoutsww.org.
Girl Scouts of Western Washington values diversity, equity, and inclusion and we foster a welcoming, inclusive work environment. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, veteran status, sexual orientation (heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and gender expression of identity), marital status, or the presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability, or any other protected classification under applicable laws.
*Girl Scouts of Western Washington uses the term girl inclusively to speak to everyone who identifies with the Girl Scout experience, which includes cisgender girls, gender-expansive youth, transgender youth, non-binary youth, gender nonconforming youth, genderqueer youth, and any girl-identifying human.
About the Position
The Waterfront Director supports the camp’s mission through the safe and age-appropriate delivery of waterfront programming. This position manages waterfront operations, including staff supervision, training, scheduling, and equipment maintenance, and collaborates with the site management team to maintain safe and functional waterfront facilities. The Waterfront Director is an integral member of the camp leadership team and supports overall summer camp operations.
Compensation for this position is $132 - $142 per day, with the starting rate dependent on previous employment at GSWW camps.
Camp Season 2026 will run from June 7th through August 18th, with start and end dates determined by position. Overnight camp staff will divide their summer between Camp Robbinswold (located in Lilliwaup, WA) and Camp St. Albans (located in Allyn, WA). They will begin at St. Albans for the first week of training, then transition to Robbinswold for the second week. Staff will work three one-week camper sessions at Robbinswold, take a short break, and then complete three sessions at St. Albans.
Requirements
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day planning and delivery of water-based programming based on the camp goals, outcomes, and marketed activities
- Coordinate weekly scheduling, observation, and evaluation of boating specialists and lifeguards, providing feedback through scheduled one-on-one meetings
- Oversee waterfront equipment management, including pre- and post-season inventories, daily safety inspections, and submitting requests for repairs or replacement equipment as needed
- Develop and oversee the implementation of weekly waterfront schedules in coordination with the department directors
- Assist in the training of the summer camp staff in appropriate roles for waterfront support, program safety, and ensuring understanding of policies and procedures, including regular skill assessments throughout summer and organizing weekly in-service trainings for waterfront staff
- Assist in the management of the overall camp operation at the direction of the Camp Director
- Support and participate in implementing all camp activities such as meals, games, campfires, etc.
- Carry out established duties for general camp operations including check-in and check-out, bus supervision, camp cleaning, season opening and closing tasks, and completion of necessary paperwork
This is a general description of the essential responsibilities of the position and is not inclusive of all job duties; other associated duties may be assigned
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of and commitment to fostering environments that prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, racial justice, and belonging
- Comfortable working in a camp setting with a variable work week and hours, including on-call, overnight, and weekend responsibilities
- Excellent interpersonal skills to ensure effective interactions with individuals at all levels and backgrounds, with the ability to work under pressure
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize project tasks and deadlines, work independently and collaboratively, take initiative, and maintain confidentiality
- Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to waterfront activities
- Ability to pass pre-requisite swimming skills assessment for lifeguarding including:
- Swim 550 yards using front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both without touching the wall or touching the bottom
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs
- Surface dive to a maximum water depth of 10 feet and retrieve a 10-pound object
- Swim 5 yards submerged and retrieve 3 dive rings without resurfacing
Supervisory Responsibilities
- This position supervises a waterfront team of 5-6 people, including boating specialists and lifeguards
- This position is also responsible for assessing the waterfront skills of all staff and coordinating with other supervisors
Education and Experience Required
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- At least 21 years of age
- Experience working with youth 6-17 years old
- Experience working in a summer camp setting or similar
- Experience supervising staff
- Experience lifeguarding and boating on lakefronts and/or tidal, saltwater based waterfronts
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Knowledge of the Girl Scout program
- Experience managing similar waterfront programs
- A valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and willingness to transport campers and staff in 12-passenger vans
Other Qualifications
- Current certification in American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding or willingness to obtain (see above pre-requisites)
- Current certification or qualification for instructing youth in canoes, kayaks, rowboats, sailboats, and/or paddleboards appropriate to the waterfront or willingness to obtain
- Current certification in American Red Cross Lifeguard Management or willingness to obtain
- Current certification in Youth Mental Health First Aid or willingness to obtain
- Satisfactory results from criminal background check
Work Environment
Summer camp is a fast-paced outdoor working environment with 24-hour a day responsibility. Employees are frequently exposed to loud noises, sensory stimulating situations, and physically demanding activities. Employees should feel comfortable with:
- Working outside in all weather conditions including heat, inclement weather, and specific environmental realities (humidity, wind, bugs, lake water)
- Residing in non-air-conditioned rustic open air living quarters, with pit toilets as primary restroom facilities
- Living in communal living conditions with limited privacy and infrequent, minimal access to technology
- Demonstrating emotional resiliency and regulation to handle extended, repeated stressful situations appropriately
- Walking over unpaved, uneven, hilly terrain multiple times a day
- Lifting and carrying supplies and equipment up to 35lbs
- Swimming in natural bodies of water
- Responding to emergencies including utilizing skills to administer first aid/CPR when necessary, including overnight
- Maintaining constant supervision and observation of program participants while assessing risk and participant safety
