Waterfront Director, Fresh Air Camps

WATERFRONT DIRECTOR
Fresh Air Camps | Hudson Valley, NY | June 5, 2025 – August 16, 2025

Since 1877, Fresh Air Fund Camps have opened new doors for over 1.8 million children, offering transformative summer programs and year-round leadership opportunities. Our six residential camps are located in the beautiful Hudson Valley, offering a stunning natural setting for exploration and growth. Each camp provides unique programming tailored to different age groups and interests, from outdoor adventure to arts and sciences, creating an enriching environment for both campers and staff. Learn more about Fresh Air Camps: www.freshair.org/learn-about-our-camps/

Life as a Waterfront Director:

The Waterfront Director is part of the leadership team working under the direction of the Director and Assistant Director to ensure the general safety of campers and staff at the waterfront, supervise the lifeguard team, and oversee the camp’s aquatics program.

The Waterfront Director reports to either the Assistant Director or Camp Director.

What You’ll Do:

• Plan, organize, and direct all swimming activities for the campers and staff.
• Provide overall supervision and management of all waterfront activities.
• Assume responsibility for the safety and well-being of campers.
• Supervise Waterfront Staff in water safety and swimming instruction activities and provide ongoing staff development.
• There are at least six swimming and boating sessions per day. Working hours will vary depending on the time required to maintain the waterfront and its facilities.
• Responsible for maintaining distinctly separate waterfront, boating, and fishing facilities to comply with all pertinent safety codes.
• Address stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment.
• Assume responsibility for the use and care of camp equipment and facilities.
• With waterfront staff, conduct mandatory swim tests and swim area orientation at the start of each session for all staff and campers using the waterfront. Assign color-coded swim area(s) based on observed swimming ability. Coordinate and maintain waterfront “buddy systems” as required by New York State Health Department regulations.
• Ensure that waterfront and buddy check orientations are conducted for each waterfront user. Responsible for ensuring buddy checks occur no more than fifteen (15) minutes apart during free swim and swim lesson periods.
• With waterfront staff, conduct boating orientation at the start of each session for staff and campers. Conduct a counselor orientation that includes using any boat type they may use with campers. Arrange for a tip test for those campers who are ready to use canoes without staff in the boat.
• Schedule guard coverage to comply with mandatory ratios for supervision.
• Ensure all waterfront staff maintain an adequate level of fitness and lifeguard skills throughout the summer by planning, supervising and participating in daily workouts and maintain a log of such activity.
• Ensure that beach signs, depth markers, float lines, ladders, reach poles, rescue lines, first aid kits, backboards, guard chairs, and other required waterfront elements are present and in good repair.
• Direct beach, dock, and water clean-up and maintenance. Must be familiar with human and animal waste clean-up and decontamination procedures as required by the NYS Department of Health. On waterfronts, maintain goose netting on beaches during all times the waterfront is closed.
• Coordinate with staff that daily beach/pool NYS Department of Health reports are completed.
• The Hidden Valley Waterfront Director will coordinate the daily monitoring of the pH and chlorine checks, which are then recorded in the pool report.
• Submit all forms, requisitions, evaluations, and inventories that are required by Camp Directors, Health Departments, and Health & Safety. Included should be daily beach condition reports noting water temperature, water clarity, weather conditions, and any incidents, accidents, or decontamination procedures that occur during each 24-hour period.
• Be totally familiar with emergency procedures and be able to implement them when needed.
• Understand that campers come first, and decisions should be made in the best interest of campers.
• Be an active member of the camp community by participating in camp programming, including camp-wide events, overnights, hikes, swimming, activities, and village meetings. This includes but is not limited to, hiking in the woods on camp property and swimming during swimming activities. At times, lifting heavy objects may be necessary.
• Understand that the position involves living in cabins with little to no privacy and eating all meals with campers in a large, noisy dining room.
• Strive to work in a cooperative manner with fellow staff to achieve the goals of the program.
• Invest time with campers and staff to meet their needs, challenge their capabilities, and serve as a role model during their time at camp.
• Explain and enforce the policies, traditions, and rules of the camp.
• Additional responsibilities as needed and assigned.

What We’re Looking For:

• Must be at least 21 years old by the start of camp.
• At least three years of college or equivalent is preferred. College graduates are strongly preferred.
• Prefer a minimum of three seasons of previous waterfront experience as well as a current ARC Lifeguard Training certificate with waterfront module, Water Safety Instructors certificate, and professional CPR certificate.
• Previous supervisory experience is preferred.
• A minimum of one year's experience working with children is required
• Passionate about working with children.
• Interested in working and living in the outdoors for the summer.
• Emotionally mature with a willingness to work as a team player.
• Flexible and willing to accept challenges and step outside your comfort zone.
• Able to maintain a positive attitude.
• Available for the entire duration of the summer program.

Compensation & Perks:

• $3,300-$3,800 for the summer season, commensurate with experience
• All meals and housing provided during camp.

Ready to Join Us?

To apply, please submit a Waterfront Director Application. We are hiring on a rolling basis and encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible. No calls or recruiters, please.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement
The Fresh Air Fund is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring and fostering a diverse staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations, and communities to apply.