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Trail Blazers hires staff from throughout New York City, across the country, and around the world. Our teams are comprised of people committed to putting the needs of our campers first, and who believe in Trail Blazers’ values of showing care and respect for themselves, others, their communities, and the environment.
Our school-year and summer camp programs offer multiple opportunities for crossover. We provide comprehensive training before and during programs to ensure you are getting feedback, building upon your skills, and growing in your capacity as a youth development professional. If you love children, care about the environment, love being outside, and are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and in your community, join us!
Many of our staff members describe Trail Blazers as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences that they have ever had. Our programs are designed not only to support camper growth, but to provide our staff teams with continuous opportunities for growth and professional development – all while working and playing in the great outdoors!
We are a group of deeply kind and dedicated folk who share a belief in the value and power of our unique program. We are committed to putting the needs of our campers first, and we believe in Trail Blazers’ values of showing care and respect for ourselves, others, our communities, and the environment. We believe that historically marginalized communities must be centered in the work that we do, and are actively taking steps to make sure that our process and practices promote equity, inclusion, and belonging for all.
As a Trail Blazers leader, you will collaborate in developing challenging goals, and think strategically about how to attain them. You will support and be supported by a team of passionate individuals working hard towards a common purpose.
Our staff leaders are the most important resource for the success of our programs and our mission. We apply the principles of respect, honesty, trust and commitment to nurture and develop our teams for the benefit of each individual and our organization. Our shared values mirror the four values that underpin our program as a whole.
I show care and respect for myself:
I am proud of my professional language, behavior, and appearance
I understand my role, and seek the knowledge and skills I need to improve
I embrace opportunities to be challenged, to learn, and to grow
I show care and respect for others:
I build strong relationships with and among Trail Blazers leaders and campers
I respond to the expressed and unexpressed needs of the members of my team
I show appreciation and acknowledgement to others
I show care and respect for our community:
I proactively make space for diversity of people, viewpoints, and spaces
I share a collective responsibility to address issues affecting our community
I follow through on the commitments that I make
I show care and respect for our environment:
I am aware of the environment around me and adjust my actions and behaviors to fit
I leave spaces better than I found them
I create a safe and healthy environment for myself, my co-workers, and our campers
These values are woven through every aspect of the staff experience. They are the foundation of our training and coaching, and they create a shared language throughout the entirety of the organization.
Group leaders and gardeners, specialists and supervisors – we all work in service of Trail Blazers’ vision and mission:
We envision a world where all people have opportunities to go outside and grow within.
Through outdoor experiential programs, accessible to all, Trail Blazers equips and empowers youth to build values for life.
Our vision statement isn’t a lofty goal. As a member of the Trail Blazers team you’ll develop a vision for your work that drives our overarching vision forward. What will you do as a group leader, a team supervisor, an administrator, that moves us closer to giving all people opportunities to grow in the great outdoors? How will your work and your actions empower the campers we serve to develop values that guide them through their youth and beyond?
These are important questions; you have a very important job.
In building out our teams, we look for people who:
Are eager to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to succeed
Are motivated by challenge
Have experience relevant to their role and a desire to gain more of it
Are equipped to provide and receive feedback
Care deeply about the social and emotional development of children
Believe in the power of outdoor education
Possess high levels of kindness, enthusiasm, and patience
Are fully committed to Trail Blazers’ staff shared values
If this sounds like you, please apply!
We believe that historically marginalized communities must be centered in the work that we do, and are actively taking steps to make sure our hiring processes and practices promote equity for all, including people of color, people from working-class backgrounds, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We encourage applications from people with these identities or members of other marginalized groups.
After School Group Leaders: These group leaders work in a school setting with small cohorts of no more than 8-10 campers (this is what we call all of our program participants), supporting remote work and leading fun, hands-on projects and experiments. The school year is starting with a lot of uncertainty – group leaders will provide much-needed calm, kindness, and support to their campers. This is our traditional school program offering. Afternoons only. A 5 day commitment is highly preferred. Program dates are September 20 – June 27. Hourly rate:
Brand new to Trail Blazers: $15/hour
Previous Trail Blazers summer camp experience: $16/hour
Previous Trail Blazers school programs experience: $17/hour
Team Supervisors: Team Supervisors directly supervise 3-4 smallcamp program groups, including campers and
Group Leaders. They are on the ground daily, visiting groups and providing support and advice
as needed, particularly in the areas of group dynamics and challenging behavior. Team
Supervisors offer ongoing coaching and feedback to Group Leaders, and must be able to
maintain professional boundaries with those they supervise. Hourly rate: $18/hour
Site Directors: Site Directors manage the administration and operations of a school program site. School
program sites range from 4 – 10 small groups of campers (about 30 – 100 children), with 10 – 30
staff members. Site Directors have the ultimate responsibility for the safety and quality of their
program. Hourly rate: $20-$22/hour
Group Leader: As a Group Leader, you will be the co-leader of a small camp group and be directly responsible for the care of 8 – 10 campers each day. You will develop and implement programming for your group based on the given skill and themes of the week. Each day starts and ends with a group sunrise/sunset meeting, and in between your day will be full of team activities, music and singing, hiking, nature exploration, playground time, and more.
As the direct participant in your campers’ daily lives, you are responsible for ensuring that their summer experiences are safe, meaningful, memorable and fun! Applicants should be creative, flexible, have a good sense of humor, enjoy spending time outside and love working with children. This is a seasonal, full time, exempt position that runs June – August.
Team Supervisor: As a team supervisor, you are responsible for independently overseeing and managing 3-4 smallcamp groups within a site. Those you supervise include campers, group leaders, and summer interns. You will provide daily oversight and coaching, as well as advice and support in group dynamics and behavior management. Applicants should be creative, flexible, have a good sense of humor, enjoy spending time outside and love working with children. This is a seasonal, full time, exempt position that runs June – August. This job description is subject to change at any time.
Site Director: Site Directors work closely with the camp director as part of the core administrative team. The sites they oversee vary in size, ranging from 4 to 10 small groups of campers. Site directors join a small team of passionate professionals in an energetic and dedicated work environment. Responsibilities include supervision of 2-4 team supervisors (who themselves oversee a team of front-line group leaders), coaching and supporting staff, oversight of program implementation, cultivation of positive relationships with campers and families, assisting in the development and implementation of in-season training, managing administrative systems, and oversight of strict health and safety protocols. This is a seasonal, full time, exempt position that runs June – August. This job description is subject to change at
any time.
The Assistant Director works closely with the Day Camp Director as part of the core administrative team. This job entails staff management, program administration, and program operations. You will be the leader on the ground, operationalizing a program that serves children in five Brooklyn park sites. Your hard work will ultimately provide engaging environmental and nature-based programs to over 900 children and employment opportunities to 150+ staff members.
LINK TO FULL JOB DESCRIPTION HERE
How To Apply
Please email jobs@trailblazers.org with a resume and brief cover letter that is tailored to Trail Blazers and this position. Letters should be addressed to Molly McCue, Director of Operations.
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