Unit Counselor/Lifeguard - Day Camp in Carnation, Washington at Girl Scouts of Western Washington

About Girl Scouts of Western Washington

Girl Scouts of Western Washington is consistently and unapologetically committed to providing safe spaces for all girls* to belong. We build Girl Scouts of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Founded in 1912, our organization has been committed to meeting the needs of our youth members for over a century. We uplift all Girl Scouts in a supportive environment where they can discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their very first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. They are the future leaders paving the way toward a brighter tomorrow. To learn more, visit www.girlscoutsww.org.

Girl Scouts of Western Washington values diversity, equity, and inclusion and we foster a welcoming, inclusive work environment. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, veteran status, sexual orientation (heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and gender expression of identity), marital status, or the presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability, or any other protected classification under applicable laws.

*Girl Scouts of Western Washington uses the term girl inclusively to speak to everyone who identifies with the Girl Scout experience, which includes cisgender girls, gender-expansive youth, transgender youth, non-binary youth, gender nonconforming youth, genderqueer youth, and any girl-identifying human.

About the Position

The Unit Counselor/Lifeguard is a hybrid position responsible for daily supervision of campers within an assigned unit, while also supporting the Activity Director in boating instruction and management of the waterfront facilities and equipment.

Compensation for this position is $21.55 - $22.30 per hour, with the starting rate dependent on previous employment at GSWW camps.

Camp Season 2026 will run from June 8th through August 27th, with start and end dates determined by position. For the 2026 season, this position will be located at Camp River Ranch (Carnation, WA). Day Camp will run Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M with staff hours starting as early as 7:00 A.M. and ending no later than 6:00 P.M. Staff will be scheduled for a 40 hour work week and receive breaks throughout the day. Staff will have the opportunity to ride camp buses to and from camp and support the check-in and check-out processes at bus stops. Camp River Ranch serves campers ages 5 to 17 and offers a variety of programming including swimming, boating, target sports, climbing wall, and classic camp activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise and care for campers in the assigned program session, including day camp duties and support in specialized areas
• Develop and implement the weekly program schedule, meeting session themes, promoted activities, and camper goals
• Supervise and guard waterfront activities per assigned schedule to prevent and manage injuries, providing rescue of participants as needed
• Follow and uphold Girl Scouts of Western Washington policies and procedures to ensure a physically and mentally safe camp environment
• Support facilitating boating programming tailored to participants' ages, abilities, and interests, including paddleboards, rowboats, kayaks, and canoes
• Ensure the education and enforcement of safety policies and procedures at the waterfront, including understanding and implementing appropriate response to changes in water conditions or weather conditions affecting the waterfront
• Support and participate in the implementation of all camp activities such as camp games, campfires, etc.
• Evaluate swimming abilities of all participants prior to first activity session
• Carry out established duties for general camp operations including check-in and check-out, bus supervision, camp cleaning, season opening and closing tasks, and completion of necessary paperwork
• Assist with managing and maintaining physical waterfront facilities and equipment by conducting daily safety, cleanliness, and condition checks, ensuring all areas are well maintained and free of hazards or debris

This is a general description of the essential responsibilities of the position and is not inclusive of all job duties; other associated duties may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of and commitment to fostering environments that prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, racial justice, and belonging
• Comfortable working in a camp setting with a variety of activities
• Excellent interpersonal skills to ensure effective interactions with individuals at all levels and backgrounds, with the ability to work under pressure
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize project tasks and deadlines, work independently and collaboratively, take initiative, and maintain confidentiality
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards
• Ability to pass pre-requisite swimming skills assessment for lifeguarding including:
• Swim 550 yards using front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both without touching the wall or the bottom
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs
• Surface dive to a maximum water depth of 10 feet and retrieve a 10-pound object
• Swim 5 yards submerged and retrieve 3 dive rings without resurfacing

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities of camp staff members

Education and Experience Required

• At least 18 years of age
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Experience working with youth 5-17 years old
• Experience with rowboats, paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks
• Experience leading youth in programmatic activities

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of the Girl Scout program
• Experience boating and/or lifeguarding a lakefront or other natural body of water

Other Qualifications

• Current certification in American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding or willingness to obtain (see above pre-requisites)
• Current certification of Youth Mental Health First Aid or willingness to obtain
• Satisfactory results from a criminal background check

Work Environment
Summer camp is a fast-paced outdoor working environment. Employees are frequently exposed to loud noises, sensory stimulating situations, and physically demanding activities. Employees should feel comfortable with:

• Working outside in all weather conditions including heat, inclement weather, and specific environmental realities (humidity, wind, bugs, lake water)
• Demonstrate emotional resiliency and regulation to handle extended, repeated stressful situations appropriately
• Walking over unpaved, uneven, hilly terrain multiple times a day
• Lifting and carrying supplies and equipment up to 35lbs
• Swimming in natural bodies of water
• Responding to emergencies including utilizing skills to administer First Aid/CPR when necessary
• Maintaining constant supervision and observation of program participants while assessing risk and participant safety