Tikvah Manager
Position: Tikvah Manager
Organization: Camp Ramah in California
Location: Los Angeles and Ojai, CA
Reports to: Chief Experience Officer & Camp Director
Position Overview
The Tikvah Manager at Camp Ramah in California oversees our Amitzim program, the residential program at our summer camp for campers with disabilities.
Through this program we offer a Jewish camping experience for children and teenagers ages 10+ with a wide range of disabilities, including but not limited to developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and neurological impairments.
Additionally, the Tikvah Manager works closely with the Associate Director of Community Care and the rest of the summer program team to provide expertise and perspective on matters of inclusion.
For a candidate who succeeds in this role, there may be an opportunity to grow this portfolio over time to include leadership of the entire Tikvah program.
The Ideal Candidate
Passion for Jewish summer camping
Strong programming, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Significant experience working with individuals with disabilities, and within Jewish educational settings
Ability to train, motivate, support, share insights and ideas with, and supervise staff.
Outstanding ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Integrity, patience, adaptability, sense of humor, enthusiasm, and a commitment to serve Jewish youth.
Knowledge of Jewish culture, history, and values. Familiarity with Hebrew is a plus.
Graduate-level training in special education, psychology, social work, speech therapy, occupational therapy, or related fields. Knowledge of behavior intervention techniques is preferred along with Safety Care training or other de-escalation certification.
Primary Roles and Responsibilities
Camper Recruitment & Retention
Manage the Amitzim recruitment process, helping to bring in new campers, staff, and families to our Tikvah program.
Establish and maintain relationships with agencies, synagogues, and schools to connect with new Amitzim campers.
Build relationships with families throughout our catchment area.
Develop and disseminate communication materials to promote the Amitzim program.
Camper Registration
Field calls and inquiries from prospective families.
Actively assist families with the registration process and be the main point of contact for all materials relating to parent communication throughout the entire enrollment cycle, from recruitment through post-summer debrief and retention
Conduct new camper intake, including interviews with parents & prospective campers, communicate with teachers and therapists, review IEPs to determine if our program will be the right fit for the individual child
Camper Care
Work with parents, counselors, and medical staff to support the unique needs of our Amitzim campers
Develop individualized care plans for campers including specific strategies for success based on camper screening and/or experience from prior summers at camp
Serve as direct contact for all Amitzim parent communication before, during, and after camp
Program Design
In partnership with colleagues, develop a vision for Amitzim as a part of the broader Tikvah program, which features an experience promoting social and spiritual development and fostering independent living skills as a fully integrated part of the camp community
Stay up to date on the latest programmatic supports for campers with disabilities
Collaborate with the Associate Director of Community Care on the Kesher inclusion program throughout the year and during the summer
Staff Recruitment, Training, & Supervision
Recruit and interview potential Amitzim staff members
Design and implement a staff-training program for Amitzim counselors
Serve as a supervisor for the Rosh Edah (Unit head) of the Amitzim edah (age group)
Work in partnership with Camp Director and Associate Director of Community Care to design and implement staff training modules for the full summer staff community
Additional Responsibilities
Represent Camp Ramah in California as part of the National Ramah Tikvah Network, including but not limited to occasional in-person meetings, monthly phone conferences, and recruiting staff to attend training workshops.
Contribute to the preparation and reporting of grants to support the Amitzim program
Additional tasks or responsibilities as assigned
Job requirements:
During the year: Occasional travel as well as occasional work on nights and weekends.
During the summer: Residency of approximately 10 weeks at Ramah’s campus in Ojai, CA.
Ability to walk and stand for extended periods across a large, outdoor, hilly camp property, including in high summer heat; ability to work irregular hours including early mornings, late nights, and overnight on-call responsibilities during the camp season; ability to respond quickly and thoughtfully to emergency or behavioral crisis situations.
Compensation: This non-exempt position is part time during the year
(10-16 hours/week) and requires full time residency at Camp Ramah in Ojai through the 10-week summer season. Summer compensation (June-August) is $18,000-$20,000, plus room and board while in residence. Compensation for the remainder of the year (Sep-May) is $32-$38/hour, commensurate with experience.
Location: Camp Ramah in California is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA where we have our administrative office and on over 450 acres in Ojai, CA, where our residential summer camp has operated for seventy years. We maintain a hybrid office schedule. Please note that being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to Ariella Moss Peterseil, Chief Experience Officer & Camp Director (ariella@ramah.org).
Ramah is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.
Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background check, including Live Scan fingerprinting clearance, and CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to become certified.
ABOUT CAMP RAMAH IN CALIFORNIA
Our Vision
We dream of a more just world with many generations of proud, educated, and reflective Jews, deeply committed to their communities and the pursuit of vibrant Jewish life.
Our Mission
Camp Ramah in California creates lifelong relationships through joyful, welcoming, and immersive Jewish experiences rooted in Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Hasadim.* Ramah is committed to the future of the Jewish community and betterment of the world.
Torah – We cultivate a passion for lifelong Jewish learning and a commitment to our heritage and the wisdom of our people.
Avodah – We create opportunities for joyful prayer and positive engagement in the richness of our rituals and mitzvot.
Gemilut hasadim – We take active responsibility for each other and the world.
Camp Ramah is an American Camp Association accredited, coeducational, residential summer camp affiliated with the Conservative Movement and National Ramah Commission.