Director of Camp Operations & Recreation at Mel Jr. &… · Mission

Organization Overview:

The Mel Jr. & Marty Zajac Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, located in Vancouver, BC, whose mandate is to support children, seniors and those with special needs through innovative community projects focused on developing lifelong skills and independence. Our current major focus is Zajac Ranch, a camp in Mission, BC, for children with chronic, life-threatening and/or debilitating conditions.

Located on the shores of Stave Lake in Mission, BC, just one hour east of Vancouver, Zajac Ranch is situated on over 41 acres of pristine forested land. During the summer months, Zajac Ranch provides camps for children and young adults with chronic, life-threatening and/or debilitating conditions. Throughout the off-season, Zajac Ranch welcomes school groups and private rental groups. Revenue raised from site rentals supports Zajac Ranch for Children medical summer camps.

Position Summary:

The Director of Camp Operations & Recreation is the senior on-site leader responsible for the year-round operational delivery of Zajac Ranch, including medical summer camps, recreation and program services, rental-group experiences, guest hospitality, staff leadership, safety, and operational readiness. The Director ensures that the Ranch is welcoming, well organized, safe, and prepared to deliver high-quality experiences for campers, families, group leaders, guests, staff, and volunteers.

Working closely with the General Manager and Ranch department leads, the Director coordinates the people, programs, facilities, food service, recreation resources, schedules, and service standards required for each camp session and rental group. The role combines hands-on camp and recreation leadership with strong hospitality, operational planning, and team management.

Reports To: General Manager

Direct Reports: Assistant Camp Director and seasonal/program staff and volunteers, as applicable

What You Bring:

• Energetic, enthusiastic, positive, and committed to creating exceptional experiences.
• A collaborative leadership style and an understanding of how departments must work together to deliver a seamless camp and guest experience.
• A strong service mindset with a commitment to hospitality and going above and beyond for campers, families, group leaders, and guests.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Patience, empathy, creativity, and an ability to create supportive and inclusive environments.
• Adaptability and sound judgment in a dynamic, seasonal, and sometimes unpredictable operating environment.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• A hands-on leadership approach and a genuine enthusiasm for recreation, camps, and experiential programming.

Key Responsibilities:

Camp Operations & Guest Experience

• Lead the day-to-day, year-round operation of Zajac Ranch and ensure the site is operationally ready for medical camps, school groups, private rentals (i.e., weddings, retreats etc.), and other scheduled activities.
• Coordinate operational requirements for each group, including accommodations, food service, recreation/programming, staffing, volunteers, schedules, facility use, and special requirements.
• Serve as a senior on-site point of contact for group leaders and guests, ensuring needs are anticipated and concerns are addressed promptly and professionally.
• Establish and maintain high standards for customer service, hospitality, cleanliness, presentation, organization, and overall guest experience.
• Work collaboratively with the facilities/housekeeping team, nursing team, barn team, kitchen team, registration/sales team, and other team members to ensure coordinated delivery of each camp session or rental group.
• Monitor site readiness and coordinate maintenance, housekeeping, activity-area, equipment, and operational needs with the appropriate staff or contractors.
• Ensure Zajac Ranch policies and procedures, including health and safety requirements, are consistently implemented.

Recreation & Program Development

• Design, deliver, evaluate, and continually improve recreation and camp programs that meet the needs and interests of Zajac Ranch target populations.
• Create and update programming in keeping with current recreation trends and the Zajac Ranch mission.
• Adapt programs and activities to each group based on age, abilities, mobility, health considerations, group goals, and participation needs.
• Develop activity schedules and recreation experiences for medical camps and rental groups, coordinating staff, instructors, volunteers, and resources as required.
• Ensure recreation areas, program supplies, and equipment are safe, appropriately maintained, inventoried, and ready for use.
• Evaluate program quality, participation, safety, and guest feedback and make recommendations for continuous improvement and future seasons.

Medical Summer Camp Operations

• Oversee the daily operational delivery of medical summer camps, including food service coordination, programs, camper and staff supervision, accommodations, and collaboration with the Nursing Director regarding health-care requirements.
• Coordinate with the Registration Manager and other team members to understand and prepare for the needs of campers and each medical camp group.
• Assign campers and counsellors to housing and living groups, as required.
• Liaise with parents, families, and group leaders before, during, and after camp sessions.
• Maintain required camp records, including camper lists, attendance, health and medical forms, and incident reports, in accordance with organizational requirements.
• Provide session reports and complete seasonal evaluations of programs, staff, supplies, and operations, including recommendations for the following season.
• Develop and maintain effective program and staff evaluation processes and required screening/referral processes for reported child abuse, neglect, or accusations of misconduct.

Rental Group Operations & Hospitality

• Take operational ownership of confirmed year-round rental groups from pre-arrival planning through on-site delivery and departure.
• Work with group leaders in advance to understand schedules, accommodations, meal requirements, recreation needs, facility use, accessibility considerations, and other operational requirements.
• Develop and coordinate customized activity schedules and recreational experiences where required.
• Ensure appropriate staff and/or volunteers are scheduled for programming, hospitality, and service delivery, including coordination with food service.
• Deliver exceptional customer service and hospitality throughout each group stay and support positive relationships that encourage repeat rentals and referrals.
• Gather feedback following rental stays and identify opportunities to improve the guest experience, service delivery, and operational processes.

Safety, Risk Management & Compliance

• In conjunction with the Executive Management team, annually develop and review the Risk Management Plan, Crisis Management Plan, Emergency Evacuation Plan, and Emergency Procedures for Zajac Ranch.
• Maintain a strong culture of safety across camp operations, recreation activities, staff practices, and guest experiences.
• Ensure appropriate activity-specific safety and risk-management procedures are established and followed.
• Ensure staff understand emergency procedures and are appropriately trained to respond to incidents within their roles.
• Maintain required incident, accident, safety, and operational documentation and support follow-up as appropriate.

People Leadership & Human Resources

• Determine staffing requirements based on camper enrollment, rental-group needs, recreation programming, and operational requirements.
• Recruit, interview, and hire staff in collaboration with the management team.
• Directly supervise, schedule, coordinate, train, coach, and evaluate year-round and seasonal staff, including the Assistant Camp Director, counsellors, recreation/program staff, and volunteers, as applicable.
• Support the wellbeing, professional development, engagement, and performance of staff and volunteers and address concerns or misconduct in accordance with organizational policies.
• Hold staff meetings as needed to coordinate operations, share departmental updates, strengthen teamwork, and address issues or concerns.
• Seek and analyze feedback from campers, youth, families, group leaders, guests, staff, and volunteers regarding program quality, safety, service, and enjoyment.

Financial & Resource Management

• Manage camp and recreation expenditures within approved areas of responsibility and established budgets.
• Support annual budgeting and planning for camp operations, recreation programs, activity areas, equipment, supplies, and staffing.
• Manage programming and activity inventories, including balancing, ordering, storage, and seasonal inventory counts.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency while maintaining safety, service quality, and the guest experience.
• Assist with fundraising strategies that support camp programs and facilities, as requested.

Rental Group & Community Relations

• Support the promotion of Zajac Ranch as a year-round rental and group-experience facility in collaboration with the Foundation team, including site tours, school presentations, trade shows, and promotional initiatives as required.
• Develop and maintain positive community relationships with medical groups, schools, churches, clubs, organizations, and other community partners.
• Provide operational knowledge and input to support rental inquiries, proposals, group planning, repeat business, and the development of recreation and guest-experience offerings.
• Conduct other duties as required by the leadership team.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Must be at least 25 years of age (per BC Camping Association Accreditation).
• A firm belief in the value of summer camp and recreation for children and young people, including children with special medical needs.
• Post-secondary education in Recreation Management, Camp Management, Hospitality, Tourism, Business Administration, or a related discipline, and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of five years of progressive experience in camp management, recreation leadership, hospitality/group operations, retreat or resort operations, or a related environment; residential camp experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with children and youth and demonstrated ability to create safe, inclusive, and engaging experiences.
• Experience with developmental disabilities, accessibility, and behavioural management is an asset and highly relevant to the role.
• Demonstrated experience recruiting, supervising, scheduling, coaching, and evaluating staff and volunteers.
• Strong operational planning and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to exceptional customer service and hospitality.
• Experience managing budgets, inventories, supplies, and operational resources.
• Ability to plan, organize, and deliver daily, weekly, and special programs and group experiences.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and to exercise sound judgment under pressure.
• Computer and data-management skills, including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Must have own transportation, possess a valid driver’s licence, and be willing to live on site year-round.
• Hold valid Standard First Aid and CPR Level C or have the ability to obtain these certifications.
• Possess and maintain a clear Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search.

Benefits:

• Dental care & Extended health care
• On-site parking
• 3 weeks annual vacation

Job Type, Schedule & Location:

• Full-time
• 5 days per week, with flexibility to work evenings and weekends based on camp sessions, rental groups, and operational needs.
• Location: 15600 Florence Lake Road, Mission, BC V4S 1C4

Compensation:

• Starting at $70,000, including on-site accommodations, commensurate with experience
  • This position provides housing consisting of a 2-bedroom suite, full kitchen, and comfortable living space, offering an opportunity for an individual or couple open to relocation.