Art Instructor, Camp Kaleidoscope, Summer Day Camp

Do you love hands-on arts projects and working with children? JCC Greater Boston's Camp Kaleidoscope is looking for an energetic and creative Art Specialist to inspire young artists this summer in Newton, MA.

JCC Greater Boston offers free bus service for staff from Cambridge, Brookline, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Wayland, Framingham, Natick, Needham, Newton and Wellesley during the summer season.

This is an hourly position with a daily schedule of 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. Offered perks include JCC Health & Fitness Center access and a competitive starting pay rate of $20 per hour. The 8‑week program runs June 22 – August 21, including staff training.

• Plan, prepare, and lead age‑appropriate activities in your specialty area
• Ensure the safety and well‑being of campers during activities
• Create a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment that encourages skill‑building and exploration
• Work in partnership with counselors and camp leadership to provide a cohesive, positive camper experience
• Maintain, organize, and request necessary supplies and equipment
• Adapt activities to meet the needs and abilities of diverse campers
• Support camp‑wide special events and large‑group programming as assigned
• Assist with overall camp operations as needed (drop‑off/pick‑up, transitions, lunch, supervision, etc.)

• Genuine enjoyment of working with children and helping them grow
• Passion and expertise in your specialty area (arts, sports, music, cooking, science, etc.)
• Ability to plan and lead age‑appropriate, engaging, and inclusive activities
• Excellent group‑management skills
• Strong communication, teamwork, and collaboration skills with campers and staff
• Safety awareness and ability to manage risks during activities
• Creativity, flexibility, and patience to adapt activities for diverse camper needs
• Positive, energetic attitude and commitment to fostering an inclusive, joyful camp environment
• Proactive problem‑solving and willingness to ask for guidance when needed
• Self‑starter who takes initiative and works well with others, building and sustaining collaborative relationships
• Ability to manage situations effectively and diplomatically and ask for help, guidance, or clarification when needed
• Commitment to build strong relationships with campers, co‑workers, and camp leadership

• High school degree preferred
• College degree, concentration, certification, or equivalent experience in specialty area preferred
• 1+ season (summer camp, semester, other) instructor experience planning and leading activities for children
• Portfolio or examples of projects preferred
• Customer service experience preferred
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC's discretion to meet minimum criteria.

• Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities
• Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions for extended periods of time in case of rain, heat, humidity, cold, or other environmental factors to ensure the supervision and safety of campers
• Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30‑40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children's backpacks, etc.)
• Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly

Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Access to JCC Greater Boston's fitness, recreation, and wellness facility during seasonal employment
• Free or discounted enrollment for camp programs may be available for camp employees' children based on availability

JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.