Summer Camp Director - Varley Art Gallery

The City of Markham is proud to be recognized for the 5^th consecutive year as one of Canada's Best Employers by Forbes and Statista Inc. In 2025, the City of Markham is ranked 2nd among municipalities in Canada and 12th overall for Government Services. The recipient of multiple environmental awards, we are recognized for our innovative sustainability and urban planning initiatives as well as our fiscal accountability. More than 366,000 residents call Markham home and benefit from our rich heritage, culturally diverse environment, vibrant local economy and focus on quality of life.

Applications are now being accepted for the position of Summer Camp Director at the Varley Art Gallery of Markham. To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter online by February 14, 2025.

Join us and make a lasting difference!

Duration of Position: 18 weeks; May 5 to September 5, 2025

Note: This position is supported by the Government of Canada's Young Canada Works for Building Careers in Heritage. Applicants should review the website to confirm their eligibility: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/young-canada-works.html

JOB SUMMARY

The Varley Art Gallery of Markham is seeking a creative and strategic Summer Camp Director to oversee our exciting arts-focused day camps, held both at the gallery and the McKay Art Centre. This leadership role offers a unique opportunity to shape and deliver a high-quality camp experience for children aged 4 to 12, while fostering creativity and self-esteem.

As the Summer Camp Director, you will manage all aspects of camp operations, including program planning, delivery, and administration. You will lead a dedicated team of art instructors, counselors, and volunteers, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for all participants. Collaboration with other camp directors within the City of Markham will be key to maintaining consistency in policies and processes, while also driving the success of each camp activity.

With a focus on strategic leadership and inspiring programming, you will help children develop new skills, build friendships, and gain confidence in a vibrant, artistic community.

If you're passionate about the arts, have strong leadership and organizational skills, and want to make a lasting impact this summer, we encourage you to apply!

Apply now and join a creative and supportive environment at the Varley Art Gallery!

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the Varley Art Gallery Summer Day Camps at the gallery and McKay Art Centre, managing all aspects of program planning, delivery, and administration.
• Supervise children (ages 4-12) while leading and coaching a team of art instructors, counselors, and volunteers.
• Ensure consistency in camp policies, procedures, training, and communication, collaborating with other camp directors within the City of Markham.
• Ensure program plans are planned to help children develop skills, build friendships, and enhance self-esteem in a safe, inclusive environment.
• Manage day-to-day camp operations, ensuring activities are safe, adapted to camper needs, and of high quality under the guidance of the Culture Programs Assistant.
• Provide direction and support to camp staff, ensuring the success of camp activities and addressing any issues as they arise.
• Plan and coordinate staff training, schedules, resources, and procedures for efficient program delivery.
• Review and approve daily plans created by camp supervisors, ensuring they align with safety and program objectives.
• Proactively manage safety risks, ensuring the well-being and protection of campers and staff.
• Foster a positive, inclusive team environment, serving as a role model and motivating staff to work towards common goals.
• Work with staff to create themed weeks or projects that make camp sessions more fun, educational, and memorable for campers.
• Work with the Inclusion Coordinator to accommodate campers with special needs or disabilities, ensuring the camp is inclusive and accessible to all children.
• Act as liaison with parents, providing timely communication and resolving any issues with support from the Program Coordinator.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service, providing regular updates to the Program Coordinator.
• Mentor, train, and recognize staff and volunteers, providing performance feedback and conducting assessments.
• Assist with recruitment, screening, and scheduling of camp staff and volunteers.
• Organize team-building activities or ice-breaker games for staff to encourage collaboration, camaraderie, and teamwork among camp counselors and volunteers.
• Control inventory of supplies and equipment, ensuring adherence to City policies for orders and purchases.
• Manage camp purchases within budget and City guidelines.
• Make independent decisions in the best interests of campers, resolving conflicts and problems effectively.
• Maintain camp documentation, including registration, attendance, permission forms, and incident reports.
• Provide a detailed end-of-session report with feedback and recommendations for future camps.
• Ensure clear communication with parents, campers, and staff throughout the camp season.
• Support the marketing efforts of the summer camp by helping to create content for promotional materials or social media posts.
• Collect feedback from campers and parents throughout the camp, using it to make adjustments and improve the experience for all involved.
• Coordinate the logistics of special events like camp exhibitions, open houses, or end-of-camp performances to showcase the children's artwork and achievements.
• Perform other duties as required.

REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Must be currently registered with and meet eligibility requirements of the Government of Canada's Young Canada Works program (https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/young-canada-works/students-graduates/careers-heritage-graduates.html). As a requirement of the government program, a student may be eligible if they:
  1. are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent resident status are not eligible);
  2. are legally entitled to work in Canada (have a valid social insurance number);
  3. are between 16 and 30 years of age inclusively at the start of employment; and
  4. are a high school, college, CEGEP or university student.
• Must have completed a minimum of 2 years post-secondary education in Visual Arts, Art History, Education, or a related field.
• At least two summers of experience in a senior supervisory role, including managing staff, volunteers, and/or programs at a camp or similar setting.
• Strong knowledge of program planning, child development stages, and best practices for designing and delivering age-appropriate and engaging art activities.
• Proficient in arts practices, techniques, tools, and materials, with the ability to lead and teach art projects to children of various skill levels.
• Knowledge of inclusive programming and experience working with children with special needs or diverse abilities is an asset.
• Proven leadership skills, with experience coaching, mentoring, and motivating a team of staff and volunteers.
• Experience in organizing and facilitating art exhibitions or displays for campers to showcase their work to parents and the community.
• Current Standard First Aid with CPR - C certification required.
• HIGH FIVE® Healthy Child Development certification required; HIGH FIVE Quest 2 certification is an asset.
• Safe Management Training or similar crisis intervention training is an asset.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Benchmark. Experience with XPLOR or other camp management software is an asset.
• Ability to work in diverse environments, including indoor and outdoor settings, with varying temperatures or conditions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to liaise with parents, staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders effectively.
• A strong focus on providing excellent customer service, particularly in managing parent relationships and addressing concerns or issues.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, with a collaborative approach to solving problems and achieving goals.
• Strong skills in conflict resolution, handling camper or staff issues, and maintaining a positive camp environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment for all campers and staff.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and ensure the smooth operation of camp activities.
• Ability to commit to working full-time for the duration of the summer camp program, including pre-camp training and preparation.

CORE BEHAVIOURS

• Service Excellence: Leads and supports staff in meeting or exceeding service standards when interacting with customers.
• Change & Innovation: Effectively implements change and supports and involves staff through change transitions.
• Teamwork & Relationship Building: Leads and supports staff in working together collaboratively, fosters teamwork and inclusion, and cultivates relationships.
• Communication: Models active listening and clear communication, and supports staff members in communicating effectively.
• Accountable Results Oriented: Role models ethical behavior and accountability; clarifies expectations, policies and legislation and supports staff in meeting them.
• Management & Leadership: Supports a positive work environment, develops and enables staff, sets clear expectations, provides regular feedback, and addresses performance.

The City of Markham is committed to inclusive, accessible and barrier free employment practices and to creating a workplace that reflects and supports the diversity of the community we serve. Please let us know if you require an accommodation and we will work with you to ensure a barrier free hiring process.

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