Youth Specialist

Overview

The Salvation Army is a branch of the Christian Church and the ultimate goal of all programs is spiritual regeneration of all people.

Corps/Department: DHQ Program Department

Reports to:

Divisional Youth Secretaries

FLSA Status:
Full-time, 40 hours per week;
Exempt (exempt)

The Youth Specialist works in close collaboration with the Divisional Youth Secretaries to plan, direct, and manage the overall ministry of The Salvation Army Youth Department. This includes oversight of King's Lake Summer Camps, assisting in managing staff, programs, and events, while ensuring strict adherence to child safety policies and Protecting the Mission (PTM) standards.

Under the supervision of the Divisional Youth Secretaries, the Youth Specialist provides leadership for staff and programming at King's Lake Camp during summer sessions, which include overnight camps, day camps, and teen camps, as well as year‑round program events hosted at the camp. This position will require residing at King's Lake Camp during the camp season and actively implementing PTM training, compliance, and reporting to safeguard all participants.

• Adhere to all Salvation Army policies, procedures, and mission standards.
• Maintain the integrity and confidentiality of all communications, records, and activities.
• Demonstrate professionalism, courtesy, and cooperation with THQ, DHQ, field personnel, clients, and external partners, showing respect and a positive attitude at all times.
• Work collaboratively as a team player, passionate about assisting others and fostering community.
• Exhibit self‑discipline to perform repetitive tasks without compromising quality.
• Exercise sound judgment and take initiative on projects, thinking creatively and strategically to engage community groups and support The Salvation Army's mission.
• Ensure compliance with child safety policies and best practices in all youth programs and activities.
• Provide leadership and supervision to camp staff, volunteers, and program participants.
• Plan, organize, and implement youth programs, events, and activities that promote spiritual, social, and personal development.
• Respond effectively to emergencies and maintain a safe environment for all participants.
• Communicate clearly and professionally in both written and verbal formats.
• Manage time and resources efficiently to meet program goals and deadlines.
• Represent The Salvation Army positively in all community interactions and partnerships.
• Responsible for resourcing, planning, and directing summer activities including welcoming and fare welling youth, recreational activities, music programming, various curriculums, daily schedules, volunteer projects, staff and camper outings, educational guest speakers.
• Assist with staff and camper travel arrangements, including picking up and dropping off children from designated locations, and airport pick up and drop off.
• Ensure proper registration, statistics, and payment follow through; compile, prepare, and monitor reports.
• Be able to participate fully in all aspects of the Youth Department camp ministry and events.
• Help plan and execute the summer camp program and youth department events; manage staff activities and administration.
• Work with youth, volunteers, and staff ensuring a safe and spiritually enriching experience at programs and events.
• Coordinate with Divisional Youth Secretaries, Rental & Operations Manager, year‑round support staff, and guest staff and officers to provide additional support to corps and divisional programs and events, providing them with scheduling, orientation, resources, and equipment for their designated roles.
• Assist with planning and leading summer camp orientation.
• Be able to interview summer camp staff and recommend for hire, submit related employment paperwork to Human Resources.
• Regularly review reports and statistics of all youth programs and provide comments and feedback to the Divisional Youth Secretaries; assist with all correspondence related to the divisional youth department and the Summer Camp programs.
• Keep records of stats for all Summer Camp and year‑round events (i.e. Retreats, Rallies, Camp Sessions, USDA required…