Week of Discovery Camp Counselor at Ethical Culture Fieldston School – New York, New York

Who we are

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves an inclusive community of about 1,700 students on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and the other in Manhattan. Ethical Culture School, located on the Upper West Side at 63rd Street and Central Park West, is comprised of approximately 450 students Pre-K through 5th Grade and 80 faculty members.

What is essential about working at our school

The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of inclusion and belonging deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace all aspects of an individual, including their ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self.

We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in an inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality.

Week of Discovery Camp

Week of Discovery Camp (WOD) is a four day summer day camp for rising PreK through 5th grade children. WOD Camp is a nurturing and safe environment filled with fun and exciting ways of learning. We have a strong emphasis on S.T.E.M and Design based programming as well as classes that range from outdoor adventure, to educational and sports. All of our programs cater to leadership development, confidence building, and creativity because we recognize that each child has the potential to make an impact on their own community.

Position Summary

The Counselor will supervise campers and ensure their safety, development, growth, skill achievement, and general well-being are secure at all times. This role also maintains a schedule for camp participants and facilitates and creates lesson plans for daily activities. The Counselor will also organize and lead various small and large group activities.

The hiring range for this position is $18.75-$25.00 per hour. When determining the rate, ECFS considers factors including, but not limited to: the scope and responsibilities of the position, internal peer equity, key skills required for the role, the candidate’s work experience, education, and training, as well as market and organizational considerations.

Camp begins Monday June 15, 2026 and runs through Thursday, June 18, 2026. Please note that this is an onsite role and is not performed remotely. Ethical Culture Fieldston School retains its right to modify job duties in accordance with changing operational needs.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities of the Counselor include:

• Supporting youth development through camp activities;

• Supporting Instructor teachers;

• Effectively developing a positive rapport with participants;

• Supervising campers during program hours, ensuring camper safety and the development of positive relationships;

• Motivating campers with effective communication;

• Appropriately addressing student behavioral issues and other challenges that may arise in order to maintain a safe environment and a sense of calm in such situations;

• Knowing and adhering to site specific safety standards;

• Maintaining a clean and safe working environment and notifying the supervisor of any hazardous issues;

• Encouraging campers to help support their social and emotional growth;

• The ability to attend staff meetings as assigned;

• Participating in professional development, including pre-program training;

• Ensuring confidentiality of student information as necessary;

• Maintaining safety and confidentiality, as well as compliance with all school policies, state regulations, and educational standards; and

• Performing other projects, initiatives, and other duties as needed and assigned.

Requirements

The successful incumbent will possess:

• A Bachelor’s Degree or some college level coursework;

• Previous experience working with Elementary or Middle School age students;

• Previous experience as a counselor is strongly preferred;

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills;

• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills;

• The ability to inspire and motivate;

• The ability to manage time effectively, stay organized, and prioritize required tasks;

• CPR/First Aid Certifications or the ability to obtain one;

• The ability to be a team player with the ability, flexibility and willingness to work with adolescents, staff, and families;

• The ability to be a mentor and a resource to campers, staff, and families and embrace/foster cultural inclusiveness;

• A commitment to cultural competency and to fostering an inclusive environment that supports students of all backgrounds;

• A positive attitude and the ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback;

• Inspire through creativity and be able to bring these talents to the campers;

• Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance; and

• The ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which all members of our community feel valued and appreciated.

To apply

All candidates should visit our employment page at www.ecfs.org and submit a resume to apply.

EEO

ECFS is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to be a welcoming community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan New York City area, our students, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to hiring practices that ensure all candidates are given fair consideration in alignment with our institutional mission and goals.