Summer Camp Senior Counselor

Summer Camp Senior Counselor

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Various Locations in Gaithersburg, MD

Job Type

Seasonal

Job Number

FY2026-01069

Department

Parks, Recreation & Culture

Division

Summer Programs (1418)

Opening Date

01/02/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Non-Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Looking for a fun summer job that youll never forget? The City of Gaithersburg needs Senior Counselors for its 2026 Summer Camp Program operated through the Citys Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture. Gaithersburgs Summer Camp Program consists of up to eight weeks of camp activities for children ages 5 to 14.

Camp Senior Counselors assist with implementing and organizing a variety of camp programming, supervise and plan activities for participants, and perform other fundamental assignments in support of the summer camp program.

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent

• Previous experience working with youth desirable but not necessary

• Starting hourly rate $17.70 per hour.

Applicants must be available to work weekdays (Monday through Friday) from approximately June 22 through August 14, 2026, approximately 30 to 45 hours per week. Applicants must also be able to attend all required staff training sessions prior to the beginning of camp (June 11, 15, 16, 17, and 18, 2026, starting at 5 p.m.). Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees.

Job Functions

Camp Counselors will:

• Plan and lead, or assist with planning and leading, a variety of structured camp activities.
• Provide constant supervision for approximately 15 to 20 camp program participants.
• Plan, create, and carry out appropriate program activities; assist with program setup and breakdown.
• Ensure a positive, fun, and safe environment for summer camp participants.
• Organize games and activities and perform other event/activity related tasks as assigned.
• Perform administrative support functions (i.e., photocopy, count fliers for distribution, affix labels).

Key responsibilities are highlighted above; please click here to view the classification description for Summer Camp Staff positions.

Qualifications

What you will need to be considered:

• All applicants must enjoy working with children and be able to work directly with and plan activities for participants in a variety of settings; be responsible, dependable, adaptable, and punctual; have excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills and leadership qualities; be able to make quick and sound decisions; be able to understand, carry out, and provide written and oral directions; and have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• All applicants must possess a high level of maturity and be able to deal with children, parents, and other staff in a positive, courteous, tactful, and professional manner. Must be safety conscious and committed to providing a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all participants.
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification (may be obtained through the City upon hire)
• Moderate physical effort is required; must be able to lift/carry materials up to 50 pounds.

Any acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to satisfactorily perform job duties and responsibilities is qualifying.

Additional Information

Interested applicants must submit the following to be considered:

• A complete online application (incomplete applications will not be processed)

• Submission of a current resume is highly encouraged (attach to the online application)

Your online application should include your education history, relevant work experience (paid or volunteer), any pertinent skills or certifications/licenses you have, and/or provide additional information that might be relevant to the job you are applying for.

Review of applications will begin immediately, so prompt application is strongly encouraged. Positions will remain open until filled. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are received or all hiring decisions have been made.

Successful candidates will be subject to a background check and drug/alcohol screening. The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee, as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post accident and random testing.

For more information about the positions, contact the Summer Camp Team at summercamps@gaithersburgmd.gov or 301.258.6350. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at hr@gaithersburgmd.gov or 301.258.6327.

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which will be used to fill the current vacancies and may be used to fill other openings in this classification which occur in the next 6 months.

The City of Gaithersburg offers its full-time employees a broad range of benefits to enhance their personal and professional lives. Employees are eligible on their first day of employment (unless otherwise specified). We provide employees with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance.

HEALTH BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage - employer pays 85% of premium in each tier
• Multi-tiered coverage options (single, single + spouse, single + child, single + children, family)
• Retirement Health Savings contribution (for non-participants in medical or dental plans)

Medical Insurance

• CIGNA HealthCare Open Access Plan
• Prescription Drug Plan
• Wellness Initiatives

Dental Insurance

• Sun Life Indemnity Plan
• Use a dentist of choice or participating dentist for increased savings
• Basic or Enhanced Plans offered

Vision Insurance

• National Vision Administrators
• Use a provider of choice or participating provider for increased savings

RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS

• Eligible for immediate enrollment in all plans upon hire
• 401A - Employer contribution equivalent to 8% of employees annual base salary; fully vested after 5 years
• 401K - Employer 3% matching contribution on the first 5% of employees annual base salary contributed by the employee; fully vested after 5 years
• 401A Supplemental - Additional 5% employer contribution to eligible employees in the Public Works and Police Departments who have physically demanding jobs on a consistent basis; fully vested after 10 years
• 457-deferred compensation plan and Roth IRA (employee contributions only)

PAID LEAVE

• Vacation (12 - 24 days accrued annually; accrual rate based on years of service)
• Sick Leave (13 days accrued annually; unlimited accrual)
• Personal Leave (28 hours granted annually)
• Family Care Leave (up to 8 weeks in rolling 12-month period for eligible employees) to care for newborn/newly adopted/newly placed child or family member
• Holidays (11 holidays observed each year)
• Volunteer Service (12 hours granted annually)
• Jury duty, bereavement leave, military leave (as needed)

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans
• Employer paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Long-Term Disability & Workers Compensation Insurance
• Multilingual Stipend ($2,080 per year for eligible employees, paid biweekly)
• Language Learning Program (through Babbel)
• Housing Stipend (Up to $3,600 per year for eligible employees)
• Tuition Assistance (Up to $5,250 per year eligible after 1 year of service)
• Healthy Lifestyle Incentives
• Employee Assistance Program
• First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
• Ongoing Training/Personal Development Programs
• Credit Union
• Recreation & Leisure Opportunities & Discounts
• Direct Deposit (required)

Click on the link below to view general information about the benefits available.

Summary of Employee Benefits (pdf)

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and may be used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information ("see resume" is not acceptable) may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and certify that your responses can be verified from information included within your application?

• Yes
• No

02

Indicate what your age will be as of June 1, 2026

• Under Age 18
• Age 18
• Age 19
• Age 20 or above

03

Indicate the highest level of education obtained as of June 1, 2026.

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• College 1
• College 2
• College 3
• College 4
• Bachelors Degree or Higher Obtained

04

Which age group of campers would you prefer working with?

• Ages 5-6
• Ages 6-11
• Ages 11-14

05

Which of the following best describes your previous paid experience working with youth?

• None
• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• More than 2 years

06

Describe your previous experience working with youth. Include dates of employment, positions held, paid or volunteer experience (i.e., summer camp, sports league, etc.), and age of participants. If you have no previous experience, please state "None."

07

Are you interested in working with a child with disabilities? (If interested, please consider applying for the Summer Camp Inclusion Companion position.)

• Yes
• No

08

Are you available to work the entire 2026 camp program as noted in the job posting including camp training dates (June 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18 starting at 5 p.m. for training; June 22 - August 14 for camp program)?

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

09

Do you currently have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

10

Do you currently have a vehicle?

• Yes
• No

11

Are you currently First Aid and CPR/AED certified?

• Yes
• No

12

How did you first learn about this employment opportunity?

• City of Gaithersburg Website
• Job Interest Card Notification
• Indeed
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Other Website
• Facebook
• Other Social Media
• Friend or Relative
• I am a Current City Employee
• Other

Required Question

Employer City of Gaithersburg

Address 31 South Summit Avenue

Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20877

Phone 301-258-6327

Website http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/government/job-opportunities