Job Posting

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Camp Director provides the leadership necessary to oversee all aspects of organizational management, including oversight of an annual budget of approximately $1.7M. They’ll work collaboratively with the Board, our senior management team and our incredible seasonal camp staff to provide strategic, operational and financial leadership, ensuring the success of our wilderness canoe trips and our in-camp, nature-based camper and family programs. We’re looking for someone with exceptional management skills who brings a commitment to outdoor education and is keen to represent Wanapitei to our various stakeholders and partners including campers, families, staff and alumni.

This is an incredibly exciting time for Camp Wanapitei. Over the past decade, we’ve grown considerably. We’ve matured our systems and invested in our people and in our spectacular base site on Lake Temagami, all while deepening our commitment to ecological stewardship and building healthy, respectful relations with the Indigenous people whose lands and waterways we travel through. We’re seeking a Camp Director who shares this passion and commitment and is eager to bring their energy, enthusiasm and ideas to lead Wanapitei into its next chapter. If you’d love to lead Canada’s most established, progressive co-ed canoe tripping camp, then we’d love to hear from you!

ABOUT CAMP WANAPITEI

Located on the stunning north shores of Lake Temagami, (N’dakai Menan, the traditional territory and unceded lands of the Teme-Augama Anishnabai), amp Wanapitei has been teaching self-reliance and leadership skills since 1931. We are passionate about inspiring a sense of adventure, confidence, compassion towards others, and devotion to the natural world. The wilderness canoe trip is at the heart of the Camp Wanapitei experience. We run canoe trips for children and youth, ranging from 4 to over 50 days throughout the Temagami region to James and Hudson’s Bay and as far north as the Arctic Circle. We host over 400 campers each summer, led by our team of exceptional trip leaders, many of whom participated as Wanapitei campers themselves.

Camp Wanapitei operates as a shareholder co-operative, governed by a volunteer board of directors. This ownership and governance model, established in 1971, reflects Wanapitei’s collaborative ethos and commitment to community. Our alumni network is strong and dedicated to Wanapitei’s success. We are proud that so many of our camper families return year after year, with many more sending their children and grandchildren to take part in canoe trips, challenge themselves through adventure, and have the chance to build friendships that last a lifetime.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGIC

• Works collaboratively with the Wanapitei Board to identify areas for strategic organizational development that advance Wanapitei’s mission;
• Forecasts and develops long-term financial plans, including determining revenue targets and resource allocation among Camp business areas and/or departments;
• Ensures excellence in Wanapitei’s canoe trips and in-camp programs with an unparalleled commitment to ensuring safe and adventurous routes, strong, capable and dynamic staff leadership, and high quality of canoes and gear;
• Develops, leads and supports the continual improvement of canoe trip leaders including white water skills development, wilderness safety and proper canoe handling;
• Act as an ambassador and internal champion on ecological stewardship, equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility questions;
• Advances Wanapitei’s commitment to reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples of Canada through age-appropriate programming;
• Acts as an ambassador for Wanapitei with camper parents, and in local, regional and national arenas, other circles of influence and the community at large, building close and harmonious relationships;
• Develop strategies aimed at being responsible and making sure there is alignment in Wanapitei’s ways of working across departments, programs and systems; and
• Promotes a culture of professionalism, ethics and rigor in the execution of Wanapitei’s mission.

ORGANIZATIONAL

• Establishes annual operating goals and priorities and provides the leadership to implement;
• Monitors progress against annual work plans and reports regularly to the Board on the Camp’s status against, and ability to meet its operational goals;
• Responsible for all aspects of Wanapitei’s camper experience including both in-camp and the canoe tripping program, from the Junior Programs (7-9 years) through to the VII Program (17-18 years);
• Works closely with the Finance Director in managing the Camp’s annual budget, ensuring that programs and projects are managed on budget, and that proper controls are in place in accordance with Wanapitei’s financial procedures;
• Works with the Site Director to develop capital and maintenance plans and budgets;
• Hires and supervises the Food Service and Chateau (adult lodge) staff;
• Works with Head Chef regarding all aspects of food service and acts as the liaison between Food Service and other camp program food needs.
• Oversight of Wanapitei’s digital and social media presence/channels including website and preparation of annual camper newsletter;
• Oversees updating of various staff training manuals; and
• Oversight of Wanapitei Risk Mitigation and Compliance/Health & Safety policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with all federal and provincial legislation and develops and manages the organization’s Risk Register.

Other Duties/Responsibilities

• As required from time to time.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS, TEAM MANAGEMENT & COMMITTEES

• The Camp Director reports to the Board of Directors;
• The Camp Director serves as an integral member of the leadership team, composed of the Finance and Site Directors, as well as senior Administrative leads;
• Meets regularly with the leadership team, facilitating resolution of issues/problems between departments;
• The Camp Director supervises permanent full-time administrative staff;
• The Camp Director is responsible for hiring, oversight and management of the seasonal staff team including: canoe tripping/counsellors; Tripping Director, Program Director, Chateau Manager, Camp Doctor(s), Head Chef and other kitchen staff; the site team and seasonal Administrative Support;
• Ensures proper reporting structure within and between all camp departments – kitchen, Sangego (trip-stores), Chateau, etc.;
• Conducts staff evaluations and summer debriefing;
• The Camp Director participates as a member on various Board committees, including but not limited to the VII, Site and Safety Committees.

CORE COMPETENCIES/SKILLS

• Leadership: Strong focus on creative and strategic problem solving, a well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation and conflict resolution, dependable, and a commitment to team building and staff mentoring.
• Customer Focus: Demonstrated ability to listen and respond to people’s ideas and manage key constituent relationships, including customers, business partners, etc.
• Energy and Enthusiasm: Curious and loves to learn new things, maintains positive energy and keen to share and engage others in finding solutions.
• Balance: Stays calm under pressure, knows how to balance safety, risk management with fun, learning and discovery.
• Planning and prioritization: Ability to manage multiple projects and meet multiple deadlines under competing demands.
• Communication: Organize and communicate ideas in written and verbal form for a variety of audiences. Stays on top of email and responds in a timely manner.
• Fiscal Management: Strong knowledge of fiscal management and responsibility, business finance, capital funding, contracts, and partnerships.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ten+ years management experience preferred, proven success in planning, achieving targets and leading staff teams;
• Demonstrated commitment and experience with remote wilderness canoe tripping, or comparable outdoor education, for children and youth;
• A post-secondary undergraduate or college degree. A background in Outdoor Education, Environment, or a related discipline considered an asset.
• Understanding of children’s needs at different ages and sensitivity to the LGBTQ community.
• Clear and solid understanding of the issues faced by the organization, including, but not limited to, those found in the camping and wilderness canoeing sector.
• Knowledge of personnel policies, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of databases for Customer Relations Management (Camp Brain), and Content Management such as WordPress an asset;
• Sound working knowledge of Outlook, Word, Excel, Windows software.
• A driver’s license and clean driving record.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Able to work from home in Canada during the off season.
• Able to work from a camp-based wilderness setting during the summer months (mid-June to end of August).
• Irregular working hours during the summer months, including being on-call for emergencies.
• Travel required, such as attending camp reunions, board meetings, conferences and promotional events.
• Overtime as required.

SALARY RANGE

• The salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

INQUIRIES TO: Wanapitei Hiring Committee, in care of Geoff Hodgins;  geoff@wanapitei.net

            by Dec 21, 2022, including:

• Resume detailing your experience relevant to the position of Camp Director.
• Cover letter explaining how your skills and experience make you an excellent candidate for this position, and any additional information you feel would be beneficial to this hiring process.

Camp Wanapitei is committed to being an equal opportunity employer.  If information is required in alternate forms during the hiring process (i.e. larger text, face-to-face communication) please let us know.