From garden beds to animal pens—help campers grow, care, and discover at 4-H Camp Owahta! 4-H Camp Owahta, owned and operated by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Cortland County, is a vibrant 128-acre camp in McGraw, NY, complete with cabins, a rustic lodge, a waterfront, sports fields, and wooded trails. Each summer, the camp serves over 400 youth through its overnight and day camp programs.
This position combines the best of both roles: Sr. Counselor and Garden & Small Animal Program Director. The primary responsibility of the Garden & Small Animal Program Director is to maintain the health, care and safety of the camp animals and garden. Working collaboratively with the Outdoor Recreation Director, Assistant Camp Director and Master Gardener Volunteers, the Garden & Small Animal Program Director is responsible for creating, leading and engaging campers in hands-on activities with the camp animals and garden plants; ensuring all programming is developmentally appropriate and mission-aligned. The Garden & Small Animal Program Director will provide guidance and supervision to all counselor staff during the garden and small animal program blocks to ensure the highest program quality; maintain required program documentation and records; and ensure compliance with all applicable Department of Health (DOH), American Camp Association (ACA), and 4-H Camp Owahta safety regulations, policies, and procedures.
The Sr. Counselor component of the position focuses on the safety and supervision of what is most important: the campers! Sr. Counselors assist in leading camp activities, provide additional support at the waterfront and help set the tone for a positive, inclusive space for everyone to be their true selves and “Tap In To Their Potential.”
This position is responsible for performing all duties outlined in this description, as well as other responsibilities as assigned and deemed appropriate by the Outdoor Recreation Director.
All External Applicants (including applicants currently employed by Cornell Cooperative Extension in Associations other than the Association advertising this career opportunity) must submit his/her application materials via the "APPLY" button located within this job posting.
All Internal Applicants (current employees working for the Association advertising this career opportunity) must apply online via his/her Workday account, which may be accessed here: http://workday.cornell.edu/.
Please contact the CCE office at 607-391-2660 with questions.
POSITION DETAILS:
This position is a full-time exempt position, 100% FTE. The summer salary for this position is $2,500.00 to $3,600.00 commensurate with experience.
Sponsorship for employment visa status is not available for this position.
POSITION INFORMATION:
Required Qualifications:
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Must be 18 years of age.
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Attend and participate in all of staff training; June 29-July 3, 2026.
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Relevant education experience in gardening and animal care.
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Experience in taking care of small farm animals and maintaining a garden.
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Comfortability in doing garden work including but not limited to; weeding, compost, watering, digging.
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Comfortability around small farm animals including but limited to; chickens, goats.
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Ability to build positive, approachable relationships with youth, parents, and staff.
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Desire, ability and willingness to work and live in a camp community and to reside at 4-H Camp Owahta, McGraw, NY (including overnights) the entire duration of the camp season (July 5-August 14, 2026).
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Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Current CPR and First Aid certification(s) from courses approved by the NYS Department of Health (will certify if necessary).
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Experience as a staff member at an overnight summer camp.
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Interest in working with youth and young adults, primarily outdoors.
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Receptiveness to guidance, supervision and feedback.
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Ability to effectively teach skills to staff members and campers ages 5-16.
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Ability to adapt and remain flexible in dynamic environments.
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Experience working with youth of all ages.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
Job Responsibilities - 95%
Program Planning & Facilitation
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Engage fully and enthusiastically in all camp activities, including planning and facilitating activities as assigned.
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Develop and lead hands-on, camper-centered garden and animal type activities for campers ages 5–15.
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Create and lead campers in animal care (small tasks).
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Create a collection of lesson plans utilizing a variety of resources (4-H Curriculum, etc.) for campers ages 5–15 for everyday use.
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Model a fun, encouraging, and safe approach to gardening and animal care.
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Scaffold all activities to meet campers needs and keep them engaged.
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Actively participate and assist in all program areas as assigned, outside of the garden and small animal program block.
Camper Supervision & Youth Development
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Assist in the direction, supervision, and organization of campers throughout camp to meet the intended program outcomes.
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Ensure campers are always supervised: during meals, free times, program times, transition times, and all-camp activities.
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Supervise and stay in a camper cabin if needed.
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Assist campers in following the daily schedule.
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Provide guidance, direction and support to campers; relating to missing home, conflict mediation, personal hygiene, building friendships, developing independence, etc.
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Be aware and proactive to camper and staff physical, emotional and mental needs and assist if appropriate, if not communicate it to camp leadership or camp nurse immediately.
Safety, Health & Compliance
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Role model, enforce and follow all safety procedures as per the NYS Department of Health and American Camp Association (ACA) regulations for overnight camp.
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Complete NYS Department of Health reports and information when necessary or requested.
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Ensure campers receive their medications as directed by the camp nurse.
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Abide by and role model all 4-H Camp Owahta rules, policies and procedures throughout the summer camp season.
Leadership, Teamwork & Communication
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Serve as a positive role model for campers and staff through attitude, body language, and behavior at all times.
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Establish and maintain positive rapport with all campers, families, staff, volunteers and camp visitors.
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Guide and oversee the assistant counselor staff during the garden and small animal program block to ensure high program quality.
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Cooperate and actively engage with directors, volunteers and counselors in the development and implementation of all camp activities.
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Keep all coordinators, counselors and directors updated with pertinent information.
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Communicate, support and collaborate on camper behavior management to camp leadership.
Program Area & Facility Management
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Maintain and monitor supplies for all garden and small animal activities and lessons and inform camp leadership of needed materials.
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Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the camp garden, ensuring it is free of trash, food, debris and tools.
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Maintain the cleanliness of the animal pens, ensuring there is always food, water and shelter and it is free of trash, debris, feces and equipment.
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Weed, harvest and water the garden as needed in collaboration with the Master Gardener Volunteers.
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Create and maintain a daily log for all the small animals and garden area and inform camp leadership immediately if something needs attention.
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Collaborate with the camp cook to discuss potential camp meals or snacks inspired by the garden.
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Monitor the condition of camp equipment and facilities to ensure utilization, proper care, and maintenance is adhered to; report repairs immediately to the Outdoor Recreation Director or Assistant Camp Director.
Evaluation & General Responsibilities
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Assist in the overall evaluation of the summer camp and make suggestions for the next camping season.
Professional Improvement and Other Duties as Assigned - 5%
- Attend 4-H Camp Owahta staff training week, participate in staff meetings and required training events as scheduled.
- In cooperation with the Outdoor Recreation Director and Assistant Camp Director, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan as a means to increase competencies relative to the position and to assist in establishing actionable steps for growth.
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Submit all required or requested reports, etc. in a timely manner.
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Perform other duties as assigned by the Outdoor Recreation Director and Day Camp Director.
Health and Safety - Applied to all duties and functions.
- Support the Association to maintain a safe working environment.
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Be familiar and strive to follow any applicable federal, state, local regulations, association health and safety policy/procedure/requirement and standard.
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Act proactively to prevent accidents/injuries and communicate hazards to supervisors when identified.
Job Title:
Association Tmp Camp Program Director
Level:
No Grade - Annual
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Company:
Contact Name:
Jerilynn Cross
Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State. Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate government agencies. This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University.
Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.
