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Job Description
Description
Our Mission
The City of Palo Alto is on the lookout for enthusiastic and dynamic individuals to join our team as Seasonal Summer Camp Site Directors for the thrilling 2026 Summer Camp programs. Our mission at the Community Services Department is to create recreational programs that cater to the diverse needs of the community, fostering a positive quality of life!
The Position:
As a Camp Site Director, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of our Summer Camp programs. Working closely with Camp Coordinators, you'll lead a team of Camp Counselors and Counselors in Training (CITs) to deliver a safe and enjoyable experience for participants. Your responsibilities will include planning and leading a variety of activities such as arts and crafts, games, field trips, and sports.
Why Join Us?
This role promises an engaging and rewarding experience, where you'll unleash your creativity, leadership skills, and positive energy to make this summer unforgettable for the campers and your team! If you're ready to embark on a journey of fun, growth, and community-building, apply now and be part of our vibrant summer family!
Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Multiple positions are available. This recruitment may close at any time, including before the listed closing date, once all positions have been filled.
Essential Duties
Create, implement, and lead non-competitive activities for campers.
Provide supervision and encourage active participation.
Enforce on-site rules to ensure a safe environment.
Assist with In-Service Staff training and attend all necessary meetings.
Lead, supervise, mentor, and evaluate Assistant Site Directors, Camp Counselors and CITs.
Ensure the physical and emotional well-being of campers during all activities.
Activate Emergency Action Plans, perform First Aid, and CPR as necessary.
Maintain open communication with parents, staff, and the general public.
Demonstrate high motivation, integrity, customer service, and professionalism.
Desired Qualifications:
Commitment to the entire program, including training and wrap-up.
Attendance at Directors In-Service Training.
Negative Tuberculosis test result.
Successful completion of a background check.
Previous experience as a Camp Counselor and/or Assistant Site Director.
Minimum Qualifications
Positions require at least 2 years of experience and specialized skills or advanced certifications in a related field including:
Summer Camps
Teen Outreach Leaders
Coaches
Substitute Teachers
Sports Camp Leaders (CPR and First Aid)
Sport Officials (CPR and First Aid)
Pool Manager
Gymnastics/Dance Instructors (Recreation Leader II requirements and Safety Certification and one of the following certifications: Professional Development Program II, Kinder Accreditation for Teachers or Movement Education and Learning Development.)
This is a Limited Hourly non-benefited position, not to exceed 415 hours per fiscal year. Work hours will be determined upon assignment.
Supplemental Information
Screening/Selection Process
Recruitment Timeline (Tentative)- Position Opens: February 27, 2026
- Application Deadline: March 27, 2026
- Tentative Interview Period: Week of March 09, 2026
- Summer Camp Staff Training: June 08, 2026 - June 12, 2026
- Summer Camps Begin: June 15, 2026
Please note: The dates listed above are tentative and subject to change.
Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
This is a non-benefited position.
Closing Date/Time: 3/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show moreThe Community
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. The community's treelined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage, and, at the same time, many world-class businesses maintain or started offices here, such as Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Amazon, Broadcom, Hewlett-Packard, Houzz, Rivian, SAP and SAP Ariba, Tesla, and Varian Medical Systems. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the start-up capital of the world. Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community's dedication to lifelong learning. Stanford's cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City's exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public-school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation. Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy featuring premium shopping and dining options. Excellent healthcare facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are some of the community's incredibly desirable and cherished amenities. To learn more, visit https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/City-Manager/Latest-NewsCity Government
Palo Alto is a full-service charter city with a council-manager form of government. The seven-member City Council is elected at large, and the City Council annually selects the Mayor and Vice Mayor from among its members. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Auditor. The City Manager is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the City. Palo Alto is organized into 15 departments/offices with 1,093.10 authorized positions in FY 2025. There is also a FY 2025 capital budget of $316.2 million. Palo Alto owns and operates its own utilities, including electricity (carbon-neutral), gas, water, wastewater, and an expanding fiber network. This dynamic municipal environment ensures an ever-engaging platform for unique problem-solving and advances new initiatives, including sustainability, broadband, and effective service delivery. Community assets also include five libraries, 36 parks, five community centers, a museum and zoo, youth centers, a general aviation airport, an 18-hole golf course, a regional water treatment plant, and wildland open space preserves at the San Francisco Bay and in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains offering 41 miles of walking/biking trails in addition to its police, fire, and ambulance services. Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, and the City's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals are part of what sets it apart. Since the City's first Climate Protection Plan was passed in 2007, Palo Alto has set goals that exceed State and Federal targets. Today, the City's goal to reduce emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the "80x30" goal) and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 guides sustainability efforts. An award-winning City, Palo Alto is recognized nationally as innovative and well-managed. City services and performance also receive impressive marks from community members in the Palo Alto Community Survey.
Many of those ratings put City programs and services in the highest percentiles among the hundreds of benchmark cities. Palo Alto makes decisions through comprehensive processes and proactively seeks to involve its extremely informed, educated, and engaged residents. Projects are naturally a cooperative effort among the City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, engaged residents, neighborhoods, businesses, property owners, and staff.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government. We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
Want to learn more about our benefits? Learn more by reviewing our "Benefits at a Glance Booklet."
Contact Us
Phone: 650-329-2376
Email: Recruit@paloalto.gov
Location: City Hall, 1st Floor | 250 Hamilton Ave 94301 | View Map
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