Residential Program & Summer Camp Co-Manager in Ghent, New York at HAWTHORNE VALLEY ASSOCIATION

Residential Program & Summer Camp Co-Manager

Full-Time | $39,000 Annually | Benefits Eligible | Live-In Position

Join Us!

Hawthorne Valley Association's Place Based Learning Center (PBLC) is seeking a caring, hands-on, and collaborative Residential Program & Summer Camp Co-Manager to help create meaningful experiences for children participating in our farm-based educational programs.

This unique, live-in position helps create a welcoming, safe, and well-maintained residential environment for visiting students and program participants throughout the school year, while also taking on a leadership role with Farm Explorers Summer Camp. Working alongside a dedicated team of educators and program managers, this individual will help bring engaging, hands-on experiences to life and support children's connection to the land, animals, and natural world.

If you enjoy working with children, have a passion for farm-based education, and appreciate the opportunity to live and work within a vibrant agricultural and educational community, we'd love to hear from you!

What You'll Do

Residential Program & House Management

• Oversee the general upkeep and atmosphere of the Main House, helping maintain a clean, welcoming, safe, and comfortable environment for visiting students, teachers, and program participants.
• Help establish and reinforce house expectations, ensuring that children and adults feel safe, supported, and at ease during their stay.
• Serve as the on-call residential manager, living on-site and providing availability to respond to emergencies or urgent residential needs outside of regular programming hours.
• Collaborate with other PBLC program managers in planning and facilitating children's activities throughout the school week.
• Help train, mentor, and supervise seasonal interns alongside other program managers.

Summer Camp Leadership

• Serve as Farm Explorers Summer Camp Co-Manager, helping lead and coordinate summer programming for children ages 8–12.
• Collaborate with other camp managers to develop and implement engaging, hands-on outdoor activities and experiences.
• Participate in counselor training and provide ongoing guidance and supervision to camp counselors.
• Work collaboratively with the Camp Co-Directors and other camp leadership to create a positive, safe, and supportive camp environment where children can explore, learn, and connect with one another and the natural world.
• Be prepared for longer and more variable working hours during the summer months to meet programming needs. A built-in week of rest for managers follows the conclusion of the summer program in August.

Farm & Community Participation

• Participate in the daily care of farm animals alongside other full-time staff and interns, including some evening and weekend responsibilities.
• Bring a spirit of flexibility and collaboration to the broader PBLC team, supporting children's programming and the wider Hawthorne Valley Association community as needed.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is enthusiastic about working with children and comfortable taking an active, hands-on role in a farm-based educational environment. The ideal candidate brings practical skills, leadership ability, and a genuine interest in the values and educational philosophy of Hawthorne Valley.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Experience working with children, ideally ages 8–16, in outdoor, educational, or hands-on settings.
• Experience with summer camp operations, including activity planning and staff or counselor supervision.
• Knowledge of or enthusiasm for animal care, gardening, farm-based crafts, and leading hands-on activities.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Knowledge of Waldorf education and biodynamic agriculture, or a willingness to learn and engage with these approaches.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain. Lifeguard certification is a plus.

About the Place Based Learning Center

The mission of Hawthorne Valley's Place Based Learning Center is to inspire, strengthen, and transform the connection between people and the living land. Through place-based, artistic, and hands-on experiences within the context of a working biodynamic farm, PBLC provides opportunities for children and adults to deepen their understanding of the natural world and their place within it.

Grounded in the principles of Waldorf education, our programs foster respect for the earth, interdependence, responsibility, and social consciousness.

Position Details

Schedule: Full-time, year-round position.

Regular Program Year (September–May):

• Monday: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 3:00 PM–7:00 PM
• Tuesday–Thursday: 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
• Additional on-call residential responsibilities and some evening and weekend animal care.

Summer Camp Season: Typically 1:00 PM–9:00 PM, with longer and more variable hours depending on programming needs. Managers receive a built-in week of rest following the conclusion of summer programming in August.

Compensation: $39,000 annually.

Benefits: Eligible for employee benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 20% discount at the Hawthorne Valley Farm Store, and more!

Housing: Free on-site housing provided for the duration of employment in this role.

Meals: Some meals provided as part of the position, including meals shared with students during school-year and summer programming.

Reports to: Place Based Learning Center Co-Directors.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through Hawthorne Valley Association's online careers page. We look forward to learning more about you!