The Camp Yachad Skills Training Program offers paid, supported employment opportunities (application required) to high school students entering 10th grade+ and young adults with higher levels of need. This is a highly competitive program with 8-10 positions offered each summer. Staff in this program are hired as Assistant Specialists and receive mentorship from one of our camp Specialists and the Skills Training Program Director, and are eligible to work at Camp Yachad for up to 5 years. All staff in this program will receive formal feedback every two weeks that is skill-specific. Assistant Specialists are hired to work in outdoor or indoor specialty areas including art, sports, yoga, music, and more. Please note that some of the outdoor camp terrain is uneven and most specialty areas are located outdoors – wear plenty of sunscreen!
In this role, Assistant Specialists are responsible for assisting the activity Specialist with the preparation and set-up of materials, assisting and engaging campers and counselors in completing the activities and cleaning up materials. Different camp groups (of varying ages) rotate into the specialty area every 35 minutes. As a camp that welcomes 850+ campers and 300+ staff every summer, our Assistant Specialists are a vital part of our staff that help camp run smoothly and safely!
Assistant Specialists participate in large, spirited special camp events like color war, our annual color run and Shabbat on Fridays! The Skills Training Program for Assistant Specialists runs from week 2 through week 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. on Mondays-Thursdays and until 3:30 p.m. on Fridays so that our entire staff can welcome in Shabbat together.
Space is limited, and priority is given to applicants that have been successful in other JCC programs, including the Camp Yachad Shadow Program.
What makes a successful camp employee?
We look for a variety of employment and social skills during the interview and hiring process such as:
- Being friendly, engaging, and socially appropriate with others
- Follow multi-step instructions
- Utilize a schedule to independently navigate a big, busy building and campsite during arrival, work periods, unsupervised breaks, and dismissal.
- Flexible and able to adapt to changes in the moment with or without notice.
- Accept and implement constructive feedback.
- Tolerate a hot, loud, outdoor camp environment surrounded by hundreds of people.
Sample of an Assistant Specialist Schedule
8:30 a.m. - Arrive at camp (via your own transportation)
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. - Assistant Specialist meeting with Skills Training Program Director
- We use this time to review hard and soft vocational and social skills
9:30 - 10:00 a.m. - Participate in an all-camp, spirited Boker Tov (good morning event)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Work in specialty area
- During these two morning hours, a 15-minute break is provided.
- Assistant Specialists are responsible for following their schedule, navigating our 8-acre facility and taking independent breaks.
12:00 - 12:30 p.m. - Lunch (on your own) with other Assistant Specialists and/or peers.
12:30 - 2:30 p.m. - Work in specialty area
- During these two afternoon hours, a 15-minute break is provided.
- Assistant Specialists are responsible for following their schedule, navigating our 8-acre facility and taking independent breaks.
- During the end of this time block, Assistant Specialists may have the opportunity to participate in free swim, additional meetings or activities. If swimming, Assistant Specialists are responsible for changing, managing personal items and reporting to pool independently.
3:10 p.m. - Dismissal from work (via your own transportation); 3:30 p.m. dismissal on Fridays
Applying as an Assistant Specialist in the Skills Training Program
All applicants are required to complete the general Camp Yachad application process which includes 2 reference checks. There are also two additional forms that will help us get to know our applicants better including:
- Parent/Guardian Feedback Form
- Skills Training Applicant Form
This is a highly competitive program with 8-10 positions offered each summer. If you are invited to move forward as a candidate, an in-person interview is required. An interview is contingent upon a completed application and reference checks.
Applications for the Skills Training Program are accepted on a rolling basis. Click here to begin an employment application and check the box for an Assistant Specialist position!