Job Title: Counselling Director
Report To: Camp Director / Associate Director / Assistant Directors
Number of Positions Available: 1
As a key member of the HOC Directing Team, the Counselling Director plays a central role in supporting and enhancing the effectiveness of HOC’s counselling staff. This position focuses on establishing clear goals, providing consistent supervision, and evaluating counselling techniques to ensure a high standard of camper care across all sections.
The Counselling Director works closely with each of the seven Section Heads to train, guide, and supervise their counselling teams, while overseeing camper safety, behaviour management, and discipline procedures. This role is responsible for ensuring that all staff and campers follow HOC’s expectations and standards to maintain a safe, supportive, and inclusive camp environment.
The Counselling Director provides leadership and direction consistent with HOC’s Child Care Practices, ensuring that the emotional and physical well-being of every camper remains the top priority.
DAILY / WEEKLY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Role Specific Responsibilities
- Review the section and cabin assignments weekly.
- Facilitate Section Head meetings as required.
- Assist Section Heads with camper-related issues.
- Assist Camp Director/Assistant Camp Directors with camper discipline and camper dismissal issues.
- Work with Section Heads to produce monthly formal written evaluations of all counselling staff.
- Assign and supervise Saturday/Sunday counsellor cabin clean-up duties.
- Assist Assistant Director(s) with the facilitation of the Teammate Support Program.
- Work closely with the Counselling Coordinator/Parent Communications Representative to facilitate communication between campers & parents and assist counsellors as needed.
- Work closely with the Staff Development Director to provide mentorship and support for all first-year HOC Staff.
- Sr Staff Team Responsibilities
- Reinforce the camp philosophy, policies and standards by acting as a role model to the staff and being an active participant in the camp community.
- Provide leadership and guidance to staff and campers.
- Improve the effectiveness of the Counselling program by establishing clear and concise goals.
- Ensure staff provide care to our campers that reflects the standards and guidelines of HOC's Child Care Practices.
- Accept responsibilities to maintain the Master Camp timetable.
- Ensure that proper equipment use and safety rules are followed by staff.
- Work with Section Heads and Counsellors to create and execute camp programming that is age-appropriate, productive, and fun.
- Attend, organize and facilitate sessions and programming for Staff Orientation Week and Spring Training Weekend.
- Attend the Senior Staff Training Weekend in the spring.
- Be an active member of our Emergency Response Team, taking a leadership role in the training of camp procedures.
- Carry an assigned radio and be available in case of an emergency at all times.
- Assist with all Sunday camper check-ins.
- Complete a Counselling report and update manuals at the end of the summer.
- Complete 1- 2 duty weekends that may include Friday/Saturday curfew sign-in and Saturday check-out. Duty weekends will be assigned in advance and must be adhered to.
- Complete weekly Sr Staff duties as scheduled (Sr. Staff on Duty Rotation). Approximately 1-2 duties per week.
- The Counselling Director can expect between 8-10 hrs of scheduled duties daily, not including other duties as assigned based on program needs.
ALL STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
- All staff are required to deliver every day our Brand Promise, “Best Summer Of Your Life”, in each camper and staff interaction. Guided by our four core principles: Community, Leadership, Accountability, and Performance.
- All staff are expected to abide by and enforce the camp guidelines of respect. These are the rules and expectations of behaviour implemented to maintain a fun and safe camp environment.
- All staff are responsible for the safety and security of each camper in their care. Staff are to follow prescribed program standards and lesson plans in order to ensure the highest level of care and instruction.
- Attendance for all staff at the June orientation week training is mandatory. This training period is where each staff member will receive essential employment information and training for a successful summer experience.
- Leadership and participation in camp-wide special events (Evening Programs, All Camp Activities, Campfires, and Friday Finale) and weekly meetings are an expectation of all staff members.
- The dynamic nature of summer camp demands that each staff member understand that additional duties may be assigned as required.
SUMMER BENEFIT AND TIME OFF
- Room & Board Provided.
- Weekly Staff Hockey & Water Skiing.
- Time off will be scheduled on an as-needed basis up to the equivalent of a weekend off. Sunday Check-ins are a mandatory part of the Counselling Director's job responsibilities, and therefore, time off will be scheduled around this. Time off must be scheduled in advance with the Assistant Director(s).
- Time off daily - depending on weekly schedule.
- Access to program and recreation equipment.
- The chance to work in a close-knit, supportive community that values staff health and wellness, creativity, and employee success.
- The opportunity to develop life skills applicable to multi-faceted career opportunities.
- An experience that will last a lifetime.
EMPLOYMENT PERIOD
Staff Orientation / Training: TBD
Employment Period: June 22, 2026 – August 22, 2026
Optional Employment: May & June 2026, Week #9, August 23 – August 29, 2026
Wages: Summer wages vary depending on the age, qualifications, and experience of applicants. Room and board are included.
QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS
Qualifications:
- Enrolled in or graduated from a post-secondary program in recreation management, education, early childhood development, physical education, or personnel management.
- Experience supervising or teaching children; camp experience an asset.
- Strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
- Enthusiastic, energetic, and community-minded.
- Willing to participate in all camp-related activities.
Certifications:
- Valid G driver’s license.
- Bronze Cross (NL preferred).
- Emergency First Aid & CPR-C (Standard First Aid preferred).
- Respect in Sport certification.