We’re seeking high-energy, creative leaders who love working with students and aren’t afraid to take the stage!

The Residential Program Specialist leads lively evening campfire programs for up to 240 students—bringing the fun through music, interactive songs/chants, and skits—while also facilitating daily activities and meals. They mentor and supervise 5th–6th graders and high school cabin leaders, helping build a positive, inclusive school community. This is a residential role with overnight, on-call responsibilities to ensure student safety and support. 

Starts at $774.76/week for three overnight shifts. $17.41/hour regular time and $26.12/hour overtime. Bilingual and bilterate (English/Spanish) employees receive a 2.5% or a 5% increase respectively. Bilingual English/Spanish highly encouraged to apply.

See below for details:

POSITION: Residential Program Specialist

DEFINITION

Under general direction, conduct evening and morning activities, including facilitation of meals and evening programs for up to 230 students; supervise and support 5^th/6^th grade students and high school aged cabin leaders during evening and morning cabin time; sleep on campus and be on-call to provide support as needed throughout the residential sleeping hours.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Ensure health and safety of participating students

• Maintain a supportive and cooperative working relationship with staff, classroom teachers and site (Koinonia) staff. Contribute to positive staff morale and an atmosphere of inclusion, social justice and personal growth. 

• Contribute to and maintain an atmosphere for social growth and development and positive interaction with students and high school cabin leaders.

• Employ positive discipline techniques to support expected student behavior

• Facilitate meal programs, evening campfire programs and morning flag ceremony for up to 230 students.

• Supervise and support high school cabin leaders and 5^th/6^th grade students during cabin time in the evening (bedtime) and morning (wake up).

• Communicate student and cabin leader successes, challenges and needs to the person in charge for the night and in the morning. Monitor and communicate student health needs with the health supervisor throughout the evening, night and morning as needed.

• Facilitate and participate in stage performances (e.g. skits, song leading, storytelling, etc).

• When needed, support student quiet/sleeping hours from 9:20pm to 7am each night.

• Sleep in a staff cabin on campus and be on call via two-way radio to wake up and respond to any student or cabin leader needs throughout the night. 

• Conduct several, unannounced safety rounds/cabin checks throughout the night to support a culture of accountability.

• On occasion if needed, sleep in a student cabin to supervise the group overnight.  

• Other duties as assigned.

JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Working with and supervising 10-12-year-old students and high school aged volunteers

Techniques of conflict resolution

Standards of risk management in an outdoor environment

First aid and emergency response

Skill and Ability:

Facilitate large group activities (up to 230 students)

Interpret and apply pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Analyze situations carefully and adopt effective courses of action

To work well with others of divergent view points and deal constructively with conflict

Establish, maintain and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Dress appropriately for the given occasion

EDUCATION/TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: 

Education:

High School diploma.  

Experience:

Working with and leading youth, preferably in a camp or outdoor science school setting.

License or Certificate:

Valid and current First Aid and CPR

Language:

Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Reliable transportation.  Sitting frequently, standing and walking short and long distances over uneven terrain; occasional to frequent lifting and carrying of 20-50 lbs; bending; frequent and repetitive use of hands, vision, hearing, speech/language processes; ability to use computers and other technological equipment, telephone, computer. Although attention is given to special eating requirements the program cannot meet all special dietary requirements.  

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Environmental Exposures:

• Exposure to hot and cold temperatures and a variety of weather conditions consistent with working outside at 1000-foot elevation in heavily forested terrain.

• Exposure to dust, pollen, and a variety of plant life including poison oak, and a variety of insects (including ticks and mosquitoes).

Work Atmosphere Requirements

• Workplace atmosphere is fast-paced with high pressure.

• The employee may be exposed to a variety of conditions, which may include rain, hail, sleet, and high winds.

• Occasionally the employee may be required to go the Santa Cruz County Office of Education located in Santa Cruz.

• Continuous contact with school staff, students, partners and the general public is required

Assigned work is normally performed at Koinonia Conference Grounds. Occasional travel is required to school, field and training sites in one’s own vehicle. Continuous contact with school staff, students, partners and the general public is required. 

OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:

• Position begins September 3rd, 2026 (or ASAP thereafter) and continues until early June 2027 with Thanksgiving and winter breaks in between, for approximately 34 weeks and 107 work shifts during the school year. 

• Residential program specialists have the opportunity to continue with the program in subsequent school years, indefinitely. 

• The residential program specialist will work three overnight shifts per week for a total of 43 hours of work per week (40 regular time and 3 overtime). There are a few weeks in which four shifts (including Monday afternoon – Tuesday morning) are needed. Overtime (equivalent to 1.5 hours of pay per hour) is paid after 40 hours of work in one week. 

• Residential shifts are as follows:

• • Tuesday 4:00pm – Wed 9:30am with three, ½ hour unpaid lunch breaks and three 10 minute paid breaks 

  • Wed 8:30pm – Thursday 9:30am with two, unpaid ½ hour lunch breaks and two 10 minute paid breaks 

  • Thursday 4:30pm – Friday 9:00am with three, ½ hour unpaid lunch breaks and three 10 minute paid breaks

SALARY/BENEFITS: 

• Starting at $774.76/week. Salary starts at $17.41/hour regular time and $26.12/hour overtime.

• 2.5 - 5% stipend for fluent Spanish speakers who pass the Bilingual or Biliteracy Assessment 

• Single-only dental and vision benefits are provided. 

• PERS retirement benefits for current members or after 1000 hours of service for non-members

• Dinner and breakfast are provided. Room and board are provided only during work shifts.

• This is a Classified Temporary position. Sick days are accrued. Holiday pay is not available 

TO APPLY

• Go to www.edjoin.org.  Accepting online applications only.  Applications without proper attachments (listed below) will not be considered. 

• Submit:

Online Application

Short letter of Introduction

Resume and Three Work-Related Reference Contacts

Questions:  Contact Heather Molloy; hmolloy@santacruzcoe.org; 831-466-5715