Summer Day Camp 2026 Head Instructor/Camp Counselor

Position Details

Position Information

Job Title Summer Day Camp 2026 Head Instructor/Camp Counselor Appointment Type Student Employee Job Location Corvallis Position Appointment Percent 100 Appointment Basis 12 Pay Method Hourly Pay Period 16th - 15th of the following month Pay Date Last working day of the month Remote or Hybrid option? Min Hourly Rate $15.05 (Standard); $14.05 (Non-Urban); $16.30 (Portland Metro) Max Hourly Rate $21.50 (Standard); $21.00 (Non-Urban); $22.00 (Portland Metro) Position Summary

This recruitment will be used to fill multiple part-time (a maximum of 20 hours per week during academic terms and up to 40 hours per week during academic breaks and summer) Student Outreach Assistant positions for the KidSpirit Program in the Division of Extension and Engagement at Oregon State University (OSU).

The Youth Program Instructor (Summer Day Camp Lead Instructor include but not limited to Sports, Art, Science, Swimming, Archery and Camp Counselors), is responsible for delivering high‑quality instruction and support to youth while fostering a safe, supportive, and growth‑oriented environment. The position requires strong communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and a commitment to ongoing professional development. Responsibilities include lesson planning, safety response, equipment management, program promotion, and effective collaboration with staff, families, and supervisors. This posting is for those applicants interested in applying to be a camp counselor or head instructor.

Weekly work hours are a maximum of 40 hours per week during the summer based on student's summer school enrollment. There are part time opportunities at 20 hours per week.

KidSpirit's goal is to provide a quality and safe environment for all campers, parents, and staff. Employees should always be prepared and willing to respond to the unexpected.

The Youth Program Instructor (Summer Day Camp Lead Instructor include but not limited to Sports, Art, Science, Swimming, Archery, theater, dance and Camp Counselors), is responsible for delivering high‑quality instruction and support to youth while fostering a safe, supportive, and growth‑oriented environment. The position requires strong communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and a commitment to ongoing professional development. Responsibilities include lesson planning, safety response, equipment management, program promotion, and effective collaboration with staff, families, and supervisors.

KidSpirit prides itself in challenging its employees to grow as individual's while gaining professional experience.

The Division of Extension and Engagement (Division) is core to Oregon State University's mission. The Division helps create real solutions and positive impact across Oregon and beyond. The Division is aligned under the leadership of the Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement.

To learn more about our division and its core units and initiatives, please visit our website: https://engagement.oregonstate.edu. KidSpirit is a unit within the Division of Extension and Engagement. The mission of KidSpirit is to be a leader in providing young people with intentional, high-quality, equitable learning experiences that promote positive interactions among adults and peers.

This posting is for those applicants interested in applying to be a camp counselor or head instructor.

Transferable Skill Development

OSU is committed to ensuring students are prepared for success after graduation through intentional skill development as student employees. The competencies students develop while working at OSU are defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as the essential skills employers seek in their hires. In this position, students learn and build vital career-readiness skills in the primary areas below:

Communication, Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Career & Self-Development

Position Duties

Instruction, Lesson Planning & Youth Accountability (65%)

• Create and maintain an instructional environment that prioritizes skill mastery, emotional safety, and positive youth development.
• Plan, prepare, and implement age-appropriate lessons and activities that support participant growth and engagement.
• Use observation, critical thinking, and feedback strategies to evaluate participants and support staff performance.
• Maintain accountability for all youth in assigned areas, ensuring consistent supervision and responsive

Safety, First Aid & Documentation (10%)

• Monitor participant safety at all times and administer first aid when necessary.
• Initiate emergency action procedures appropriately and calmly.
• Accurately complete incident, accident, and behavioral reports as required.
• Use sound judgment to assess situations, respond appropriately, and communicate effectively with supervisors and families.

Training, Meetings & Professional Development (10%)

Attend required orientation sessions, program meetings, and in‑service training.

• Review and comply with all program policies, procedures, and activity guidelines.
• Actively pursue opportunities for career growth and skill development through training and feedback.

Equipment & Supplies Management (5%)

• Check out, request, and properly use equipment and supplies for activities.
• Maintain and organize the equipment area before clocking out each day.
• Report equipment needs, safety concerns, and supply issues to supervisors.

Program Promotion & Family Engagement (5%)

Communicate effectively with parents regarding participant progress and development.

• Promote KidSpirit programs including recreational classes, camps, ACES, and special events.
• Serve as a positive ambassador for the program, using strong interpersonal communication skills.

Communication, Paperwork & Record Keeping (5%)

Maintain clear, timely communication with coworkers and supervisors, including responding promptly to emails and phone calls.

• Complete necessary paperwork, attendance sheets, and documentation with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Collaborate with team members to support smooth program operations.

Other Duties

• Carry out additional responsibilities as requested by supervisors to support program success and team functioning.
• May require lifting of 35lbs.

Camp Counselor

• Support the head instructor in maintaining an Instructional environment focused on mastery/success of sport/activity, emotional safety, and providing a positive and caring environment for youth
• Support the head instructor in executing quality lesson planning
• Participate with camp participants and ensure their positive experience in activities
• Supervise and support camp participants during check-in/ check-out, snack times, and transitions
• Support and accommodate each camp's participant's specific needs throughout summer camp. Communicate with other camp counselors, head instructors, and program leadership to support these needs.
• Communicate with parents about the progress of their participants, and instructor or staff concerns

Head Instructor

• Create and maintain an instructional environment that prioritizes skill mastery, emotional safety, and positive youth development.
• Plan, prepare, and implement age-appropriate lessons and activities that support participant growth and engagement.
• Use observation, critical thinking, and feedback strategies to evaluate participants and support staff performance.
• Maintain accountability for all youth in assigned areas, ensuring consistent supervision and responsive care.

Minimum Qualifications

Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: https://hr.oregonstate.edu/student-employment-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements

• Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study

• Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment

• Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard

• High School student: Regularly enrolled in a high school or participating in a home-schooling program

• Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate student: 6 credit hours per term

• Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term*

• Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School: 5 credit hours per term

• Graduate international student officially admitted to Graduate School: 9 credit hours per term*

• International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered "full-time" by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A reduced course load is approved by the Office of International Services (OIS), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Current, valid First Aid certification by start of programming.
• Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (RRCAN) certification by start of programming.
• Introduction to Child Care Health & Safety certification by start of programming.
• Fundamentals of Learning.
• Youth Programs may have additional Criminal History Checks every 24 months.
• OSU Youth Safety and Compliance requirements standards of behavior and mandatory reporting training.

Preferred (Special) Qualifications

Experience with children.

Experience with sports, art, archery, gymnastics, swimming, technology, photography, theatre, dance.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number P12808SE Number of Vacancies 50 Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 06/12/2026 Anticipated Appointment End Date 09/11/2026 Posting Date 02/04/2026 Full Consideration Date 05/30/2026 Closing Date 06/30/2026 Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / Student - open to ALL qualified/eligible students Special Instructions to Applicants

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

A Resume

In addition to applying to the OSU job website portal please go to KidSpirit website to join our team and apply to KidSpirit.

https://kidspirit.oregonstate.edu/employment

For additional information please contact: Karen Swanger at karen.swanger@oregonstate.edu or kidspirit@oregonstate.edu

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal History Check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in Youth Programs may have additional Criminal History Checks every 2 years.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume

Optional Documents