Employment

We are still accepting applications for 2023 summer staff!

Working at Camp Shalom needs to be understood as something more than a job. It is first and foremost a service–to our campers, your coworkers, and God. Our staff are called to serve in the name of Jesus Christ. Paul says it best in 1 Corinthians, “Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.”

You will be asked to do manual labor–wash dishes, clean bathrooms, and mop floors. You will be responsible for the health and welfare of children. You will lead activities, sing songs, and play games. Staff also need to communicate well with others, receive and implement feedback graciously, and hold themselves to the highest standard, both at and outside camp. It must be understood by all staff that this is a workplace–gossip among staff is not tolerated.

As a member of our summer staff you will be paid and given time off like any other job. But more importantly, you will be called to give of yourself, love those around you, and help unfold all the mysteries of God’s love. We are looking for individuals who are seeking to grow in their faith through serving others in the name of Jesus Christ.

Staff Positions and Requirements:

Assistant Program Director: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.

Leadership Team: Includes Village Director, Outpost Director, and Maintenance Assistant. Strongly recommended that applicants are at least 21 years of age and have prior experience at Camp Shalom.

Counselors: Applicants must be at least 18 years old. It is recommended that applicants are also at least one year removed from high school.

Program Specialists: Includes Healthcare Coordinator, Faith Coordinator, Assistant Counselor Director, Mini-Camp Coordinator, Photographer, Waterfront Director, Arts & Crafts Leader, Archery Leader, Ropes Team Leader, Ropes Team Assistant(s), Outpost II Coordinator, and Nomads Director. Applicant requirements vary by position. Some positions require specific certifications (camp can help you get these!).

Camphands: A paid support staff position; applicants must have completed the 11th grade.

Assistant Counselors (ACs): A 2-week volunteer position; applicants must have completed the 10th grade. We will begin accepting AC applications on March 4, 2021. You can apply to be an Assistant Counselor here.

To Apply: Complete the electronic application and submit 3 reference forms to the Camp Shalom office. Please have the following ready when you complete the job application:

A paragraph or two answering the following questions:
- Describe your relationship with Christ: who is Christ to you? How do you live out your faith daily?
- Explain why you want to work at Camp Shalom this summer.
- What goals do you have for yourself this summer?
- What contributions do you think you can bring to the summer staff? To the people we serve at Shalom?
Employment History including Employer's address, phone, supervisor's name and nature of work performed.
Education and Military History
Driver's License Number
Church information
Camp experience
Certifications (CPR, First Aid, Lifeguard, Waterfront Safety and High Ropes Lead) including:
- Certifying agency
- Expiration Date
Emergency Contact Information

Job Descriptions

Camphand

CAMPHAND JOB DESCRIPTION

Revised November 2015
Responsible to Program Director

POSITION OBJECTIVE: To provide program and operational support to the summer camp program.

SKILLS NECESSARY:

Must have completed at least their junior year of high school.
Must be 1st Aid and CPR certified through a nationally recognized organization.
Must complete a 5-day training specific to Camp Shalom covering emergency procedures, personnel policies, and program supervision.
Possess a desire and love to work with people of all ages, especially youth.
Possess a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and a willingness to share this faith in an enthusiastic and appropriate way with campers, parents, volunteers, and staff.
Ability to use positive behavior management techniques with campers and an ability to adapt to difficult situations with a sense of maturity, safety, tact, and poise.
Possess the ability to subordinate personal desires to campers’ needs and interests.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

To provide program leadership to camper groups by leading or assisting in program activities such as arts & crafts, archery, canoeing, etc...
To provide operational support through completing maintenance projects under the supervision of the Maintenance Director and Program Director.
To provide operational support through assisting in the preparation of meals, the packing out of food for off-site events, and planning / serving / cleaning up snacks.
To assist counselors in the implementation of the overall program by helping to run evening program options.

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS:

One of the most important characteristics for this job is an ability to communicate and work well with others – campers, volunteers, staff, parents, and supervisors. At Camp Shalom, we desire our Camphands to possess a desire to love and serve people of all ages. People who demonstrate this desire show enthusiasm, initiative, creativity, imagination, sincerity, and a willingness to learn. Camp is more than just having fun, so Camphands need to possess a sense of maturity in judgment, patience, self-control, and strength to lead people. As a Christian camp, we desire a sense of spiritual direction and the ability to demonstrate the presence of God in our lives.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Staff Training is currently a 10-day event beginning on or around Memorial Day Weekend. However, for many Camphands, school responsibilities prohibit their participating in all 10 days. Camphands need to complete at least a 5-day training program.
The summer staff is given approximately 45 hours off at the conclusion of each week session. During each camper session staff members are given a one-hour break daily. At these times the staff member is not directly responsible for campers or activities.
Each staff member will be assigned to work one ‘Special Event’ weekend during the summer (i.e. Family Camp, Group Retreat, etc.)
Camphands are asked to remember that they are visual representatives of Camp Shalom whether they are on site or not. We ask Camphands to behave appropriately and follow all personnel policies when both on and off duty.
Any “weekend off” event done as a staff is regarded as a camp activity.
A Camphand's commitment to the summer program at Camp Shalom ends when both the Maintenance and Program Directors feel the camp is properly closed for the summer season.
Finally, Camp Shalom is in a time of growth and transition. This may lead to the changing of job descriptions. Any change in job description will be made in cooperation and conversation with employees, the Board of Directors, the Program Director, and the Executive Director.

Camphand Job Description

Counselor

COUNSELOR JOB DESCRIPTION

Revised January 2013
Reports to Program Director

POSITION OBJECTIVE: To live with and provide leadership to a small group of (up to 9) of campers. To supervise campers participating in structured and unstructured activities, and to interact appropriately with campers in a variety of situations. Model a commitment to the Christian faith and demonstrate patience, enthusiasm, self-control, and a sense of humor with campers.

SKILLS NECESSARY:

Must be at least 18 years old and one year removed from high school.
Must be 1st Aid and CPR certified through a nationally recognized organization and have completed a 10-day training specific to Camp Shalom covering emergency procedures, personnel policies, and program supervision.
Possess a desire and love to work with people of all ages, especially youth.
Possess a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and a willingness to share this faith in an enthusiastic and appropriate way with campers, parents, and staff.
Ability to use positive behavior management techniques with campers and an ability to adapt to difficult situations with a sense of maturity, safety, tact, and poise.
Possess the ability to subordinate personal desires to campers’ needs and interests.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

To live with and provide leadership to a small group of (up to 9) of campers guiding them through daily living skills, camp programs, and group activities.
Work cooperatively with other staff to help make the summer program run safely and effectively.
Abide by camp personnel policies and implement camp goals by modeling a Christian and ethical lifestyle.
Assist in leading programmed activities where necessary.
Assist in all-camp group activities as assigned by the Program Director.
Coordinate and lead worship and campfire activities as assigned by Program Director.
Develop a Christian group-living experience with campers.
Develop a familiarity with the camp property, facilities, and surrounding areas.
Be responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of campers in general and, specifically, your assigned camper group.
Assist in other camp activities as assigned by the Program Director.

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS:

One of the most important characteristics for this job is an ability to communicate and work well with others – campers, staff, parents, and supervisors. At Camp Shalom, we desire our counselor staff to possess a desire to love and serve people of all ages, especially children. People who demonstrate this desire show enthusiasm, initiative, creativity, imagination, sincerity, and a willingness to learn. Camp is more than just having fun, so all staff need to possess a sense of maturity in judgment, patience, self-control, and strength to lead people. As a Christian camp, we desire a sense of spiritual direction and the ability to demonstrate the presence of God in our lives.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Staff Training is currently a 10-day event beginning on or around Memorial Day Weekend.
The summer staff is given approximately 45 hours off at the conclusion of each week session. During each camper session staff members are given a one-hour break daily. At these times the staff member is not directly responsible for campers or activities.
Each staff member will be assigned to work one ‘Special Event’ weekend during the summer (i.e. Family Camp, Group Retreat, etc.)
Counselors are asked to remember that they are visual representatives of Camp Shalom whether they are on or off site. We ask counselor to behave appropriately when both on and off duty.
Any “weekend off” event done as a staff is regarded as a Camp Shalom activity.
A Counselor's commitment to the summer program at Camp Shalom ends when the Maintenance and Program Directors feels the camp is properly closed for the summer season.
Finally, Camp Shalom is in a time of growth and transition. This may lead to the changing of job descriptions. Any change in job description will be made in cooperation and conversation with employees, the Board of Directors, the Program Director, and the Executive Director.

Counselor Job Description

Summer Kitchen Staff

SUMMER KITCHEN STAFF JOB DESCRIPTION

Revised May 2014
Responsible to Program Director

POSITION OBJECTIVE: To provide healthy, well-balanced meals and quality service to all guests and staff. Assume the responsibility of food preparation and cooking. To maintain safe working procedures and a sanitary kitchen.

SKILLS NECESSARY:

Experience in food preparation and cooking.
Ability to coordinate and communicate well with kitchen staff.
Ability to maintain safety and sanitation standards as set forth by the State of Iowa and the American Camping Association (ACA).
Ability to be pleasant and hospitable to guests and abide by the policies of Camp Shalom.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

Oversee aspects of food preparation, service, and general clean-up.
Maintain and communicate to staff: food preparation directions.
Maintain sanitary and safety procedures in the kitchen as set forth by the State of Iowa and the American Camping Association (ACA).
Help oversee the safe and appropriate use of leftovers.
Help oversee the appropriate discarding of food waste.
Assist in other duties as assigned by the Food Service Director or Program Director.

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS: The most important characteristic for this job is the ability to communicate and work well with other people – staff, volunteers, and guests. While communication is a primary characteristic, the desire and ability to provide quality meals to all guests is also very important. Working in a camp requires an ability to be organized and flexible to the camp routine. Since the majority of camp activities are conducted outside, weather can often have a dramatic effect on the kitchen schedule.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Any change in job description will be made in cooperation and conversation with the employee, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Director.

Kitchen Job Description

Leadership

SUMMER LEADERSHIP JOB DESCRIPTION

Revised January 2013
Responsible to Program Director

POSITION OBJECTIVE: To provide mature and professional leadership to specialized camp programming. To supervise campers, guests, volunteers, and staff during specialized programs to ensure standards of operation, safety, creativity, and structure are implemented. Model a commitment to the Christian faith and demonstrate patience, enthusiasm, self-control, and a sense of humor with all members of the Camp Shalom community.

SKILLS NECESSARY:

Must hold current certification in 1st Aid and CPR through a nationally recognized organization and have completed a 10-day training specific to Camp Shalom covering emergency procedures, personnel policies, and program supervision.
Must have completed specific professional training in area of specialization.
Possess a desire and love to work with people of all ages, especially youth.
Possess a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and a willingness to share this faith in an enthusiastic and appropriate way with campers, parents, and staff.
Ability to use positive behavior management techniques with campers and an ability to adapt to difficult situations with a sense of maturity, safety, tact, and poise.
Possess the ability to subordinate personal desires to campers’ needs and interests.
Possess the ability to make sound decisions and be a leader in enforcing safety standards.
As close to 21 years of age as possible, if not older.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

To assume the leadership of designated program area and all activities connected to that specific area.
To ensure that standards of safety, rules of risk management, and structured activity is implemented in your specific area of supervision.
Work cooperatively with camp hands, counselors, and support staff to help make the summer program run safely and effectively.
Abide by camp personnel policies and implement camp goals by modeling a Christian and ethical lifestyle.
Assist in leading other programmed activities where and when necessary without compromising specific areas of supervision.
Assist in “all-camp” activities as assigned by the Program Director.
Develop a familiarity with the camp property, facilities, and surrounding areas.
Be responsible for the safe and proper handling and storage of camp equipment.
Be responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of campers in general, and specifically campers assigned to your program area.
Assist in other camp activities as assigned by the Program Director.

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS:

To supervise any program area requires a high level of maturity, responsibility, and supervision. At Camp Shalom, we are increasing our level of adventure, which means our level of supervised safety must also increase. As someone in a Leadership role it will be expected that you educate, enforce, and model safe practices regarding specialized programming. As a Christian camp, one needs to accomplish these things with a sense of grace, fairness, and joy. Camp is more than just fun, so staff need to possess a sense of maturity in judgment, patience, self-control, and strength to lead people. We also desire a sense of spiritual direction and the ability to demonstrate the presence of God in your life.
GENERAL INFORMATION:

Staff Training is a 10-day event beginning on or around Memorial Day Weekend.
The summer staff is given approximately 45 hours off at the conclusion of each week session. During each camper session staff members are given a one-hour break daily. At these times the staff member is not directly responsible for campers or activities.
Each staff member will be assigned to work one ‘Special Event’ weekend during the summer (i.e. Family Camp, Group Retreat, etc.)
All staff are asked to remember that they are visual representatives of Camp Shalom whether they are on site or not. We ask staff to behave appropriately both on and off duty.
Any “weekend off” event done as a staff is regarded as a camp activity. Therefore, all camp policies apply.
A staff person's commitment to the summer program at Camp Shalom ends when both the Maintenance and Program Director’s feels the camp is properly closed for the summer season.
Finally, Camp Shalom is in a time of growth and transition. This may lead to the changing of job descriptions. Any change in job description will be made in cooperation and conversation with employees, the Board of Directors, the Program Director, and the Executive Director.

Leadership Job Description

Health Care Coordinator

SUMMER HEALTH CARE COORDINATOR JOB DESCRIPTION

Revised January 2013

Health Care Staff
1. Health Care Administrator
  1. The Executive Director is responsible for writing the Health Care Plan.
  2. The Executive Director is responsible for a professional review of Health Care Plan and establishing pre-camp communication with emergency services – fire and ambulance services, physician and hospital resources.
  3. The Executive Director is responsible for making sure a qualified person is employed as the Health Care Director.
  4. The Executive Director is responsible for providing health care and emergency procedure training to summer staff.
  5. Program Director is responsible for supervising the implementation of the Health Care Plan, summer staff health care conduct, and emergency procedures.
  6. Program Director is responsible for the off-site management of Health History forms.
Health Care Coordinator
1. The Health Care Coordinator can be a certified and currently practicing Registered Nurse (RN is preferred), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). However, since the Health Care Coordinator can only administer basic first aid and manage prescribed medication, Camp Shalom will use either students in Nursing School or students in Medical School who possess current certification as a Medication Manager.
2. The Health Care Staff may be more than one person working cooperatively to cover responsibilities. In the case of multiple Health Care Staff, one person is designated as the Director.
3. The Health Care Coordinator:
  1. Supervises camper screening.
  2. Maintains all health care records.
  3. Administers daily medications.
  4. Consults with Program Director and counselors regarding camper health concerns.
  5. Communicates special health concerns to Program Director and counseling staff.
  6. Maintains regular on-site hours. Infirmary times include consistent morning and afternoon periods of operation. Health Care Director maintains phone contact with camp when off- site.
  7. Evaluates and treats medical problems that occur.

Nurse Job Description

Program Specialist

SUMMER PROGRAM SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION

Revised January 2013
Responsible to Program Director

Must hold current certification in 1st Aid and CPR through a nationally recognized organization and have completed a 10-day training specific to Camp Shalom covering emergency procedures, personnel policies, and program supervision.
Must have completed specific professional training in the area of specialization.
Possess a desire and love to work with people of all ages, especially youth.
Possess a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and a willingness to share this faith in an enthusiastic and appropriate way with campers, parents, and staff.
Ability to use positive behavior management techniques with campers and an ability to adapt to difficult situations with a sense of maturity, safety, tact, and poise.
Possess the ability to subordinate personal desires to campers’ needs and interests.
Possess the ability to make sound decisions and be a leader in enforcing safety standards.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

To assume the leadership of a designated program area and all activities connected to that specific area.
To ensure that standards of safety, rules of risk management, and structured activity are implemented in your specific area of supervision.
Work cooperatively with leadership, counselors, and support staff to make the summer program run safely and effectively.
Abide by camp personnel policies and implement camp goals by modeling a Christian and ethical lifestyle.
Assist in leading other programmed activities where and when necessary without compromising specific area of supervision.
Assist in “all-camp” activities as assigned by the Program Director.
Develop a familiarity with the camp property, facilities, and surrounding areas.
Be responsible for the safe and proper handling and storage of camp equipment.
Be responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of campers in general, and specifically campers assigned to your program area.
Assist in other camp activities as assigned by the Program Director.

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS:

To supervise any program area requires a high level of maturity, responsibility, and supervision. At Camp Shalom, we are increasing our level of adventure, which means our level of supervised safety must also increase. As a program specialist it will be expected that you educate, enforce, and model safe practices regarding specialized programming. As a Christian camp, one needs to accomplish these things with a sense of grace, fairness, and joy. Camp is more than just fun, so all staff need to possess a sense of maturity in judgment, patience, self-control, and strength to lead people. We also desire a sense of spiritual direction and the ability to demonstrate the presence of God in our lives.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Staff Training is a 10-day event beginning on or around Memorial Day Weekend.
The summer staff is given approximately 45-hours off at the conclusion of each week session. During each camper session staff members are given a one-hour break daily. At these times the staff member is not directly responsible for campers or activities.
Each staff member will be assigned to work one ‘Special Event’ weekend during the summer (i.e. Family Camp, Group Retreat, etc.)
All staff are to remember that they are visual representatives of Camp Shalom whether they are on site or not. We ask staff to behave appropriately both on and off duty.
Any “weekend off” event done as a staff is regarded as a camp activity. Therefore, all camp policies apply.
A staff person's commitment to the summer program at Camp Shalom ends when the Maintenance and Program Directors feel the camp is properly closed for the summer season. Program Specialists may serve as a counselor one or more weeks during the summer as necessary or as mutually agreed upon with the Program Director.

Program Specialist Job Description