Project Acorn Job Descriptions

Executive Director
Coordinators, Project Acorn
Youth Leaders
Adult Leaders

Executive Director (Position Filled)

The Executive Director's role is to uphold and implement the mission, vision and values of the Ten Oaks Project, as well as the policies and procedures relating to Project Acorn. The Executive Director is ultimately accountable for the safety, support and well‐being of the camp community. Responsibilities pertaining to Project Acorn include, but are not limited to:

• Providing overall organization and leadership
• Participating in the staffing of all youth and adult positions at Project Acorn
• Participating in the planning and facilitating of orientation for youth and adult leaders
• Project Acorn administration (including office management and ensuring required documentation is completed)
• Acting as a point of contact for parents/guardians throughout the camping season
• Working with the YMCA/YWCA site maintenance staff as directed by the Board of Directors (BOD) liaison
• Working with YMCA/YWCA staff to coordinate program specific operations (waterfront, ropes course, and kitchen)
• Supervising and supporting Adult Leaders
• Overseeing daily operations in accordance with Health and Safety Procedures
• Conducting daily site inspections and addressing issues around health and safety at camp in a timely manner
• Coaching participants and Leaders in emergency safety procedures and follow safe work practices as established by The Ten Oaks Project

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors through the BOD President and will complete other tasks as assigned. The on‐site requirements of this position include full‐time during the four day leadership retreat.

Pre‐retreat, the Executive Director will serve as an ex‐officio, non‐voting member of the Board of Directors commencing upon their successful candidacy for the position. They will be expected to take an active role in all project‐related aspects of Board affairs in order to become familiar with organizational policies, procedures, and guiding principles for the program. In addition, the Executive Director will have an oversight role in programming decisions leading up to the leadership retreat.

Post‐camp, the Executive Director will be responsible for conducting evaluations of all camp staff and compiling an end of summer report.

Certification in Standard First Aid and Level ‘B' CPR or higher is mandatory for the successful candidate.

Please note that the staffing of this position is contingent on the successful candidate's satisfactory completion of a police reference check for the vulnerable sector.

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Coordinators, Project Acorn (2 Positions Filled)

Under the general direction of the Ten Oaks Project Board of Directors, and the immediate supervision of the Executive Director, the Coordinator's role is to uphold and implement the mission, vision and values of the Ten Oaks Project, as well as the policies and procedures relating to Project Acorn. The Coordinator's tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Overseeing the daily operations of Project Acorn in consultation with the Executive Director
• Overseeing the facilitation and implementation of the Project Acorn schedule, including the implementation of youth/adult leader schedules
• Leading, coordinating and facilitating aspects of the Project Acorn schedule and programming
• Orienting and supporting Project Acorn youth/adult leaders in collaboration with the Executive Director
• Providing leadership and organization to the camp community
• Supervising and supporting the Youth Advisory Committee, Youth Leaders and youth to be active contributors and designers of programs and initiatives related to Project Acorn, in order to support a strong youth presence and youth voice
• Develop training opportunities and support youth leaders, as necessary, to build skills in the area of youth engagement
• Coaching participants and Leaders in emergency safety procedures and follow safe work practices as established by The Ten Oaks Project

The Coordinator is responsible for participation and support functions at Project Acorn. They have particular oversight for the Youth Advisory Committee, Youth Leaders, Adult Leaders, guests/workshop facilitators, and all programming aspects of Project Acorn.

Ahead of Project Acorn, and in partnership with the Executive Director and the Youth Advisory Committee, the Coordinator will oversee staffing and orientation, the development of the program schedule, the securing of guest facilitators/workshop leaders, as well as providing ongoing support to these functions during Project Acorn.

The Coordinator, Project Acorn, reports to the Executive Director and will complete other tasks as assigned. It is the expectation that the Coordinator will be available on a volunteer basis from April to August to carry out the duties of the position. It is a job requirement that the Coordinator be available on site for the entirety of Project Acorn (including orientation and debrief).

Post‐camp, the Coordinator will conduct performance reviews alongside the Executive Director and contribute to a summary report about the leadership session.
Certification in Standard First Aid and Level ‘B' CPR or higher is encouraged for the successful candidate.

Please note that the staffing of this position is contingent on the successful candidate's satisfactory completion of a police reference check for the vulnerable sector.

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Youth Leaders (Positions Filled)

Under the general direction of the Executive Director, and the immediate coordination of the Project Acorn Coordinator, the Youth Leader's role is to uphold and implement the Mission, Vision and Values of the Ten Oaks Project, as well as to ensure that the interests, needs and voices of youth in LGBTQ communities are at the forefront of the development and facilitation of Project Acorn.
Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Providing leadership and organization to the camp community
• Assisting in the planning, promoting and implementation of Project Acorn and related activities
• Working in partnership with adults in the creation of a safe(r) and empowering living and learning environment at Project Acorn

Before Project Acorn, Youth Leaders will participate on the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC): assisting with the development of the Project Acorn program, funds, policies, and process. Through the YAC, Youth Leader will be required to participate in orientation and training sessions, workshops and meetings as scheduled, and will work in partnership with the Ten Oaks Project Board of Directors, Executive Director and Project Acorn Coordinators, in the planning, promoting, and implementation of Project Acorn and related activities.

During Project Acorn, Youth Leaders will lead, coordinate and facilitate aspects of the Project Acorn schedule and programming, as well as assume responsibility for the delivery of PODs - the division of Project Acorn participants into cabin groups for youth-lead activities, programming and support. At Project Acorn, Youth leaders will encourage peer mentorships opportunities by supporting youth to be active participants in programs and initiatives, in order to have youth voice and a strong youth presence.

Youth Leaders are overseen and supported by the Project Acorn Coordinator and will complete other tasks as assigned.

It is the expectation that Youth Leaders will be available on a volunteer basis from December to August to carry out the duties of these positions. It is a job requirement that Youth Leaders be available on site for the entirety of Project Acorn (including orientation and debrief).

Post‐camp, Youth Leaders will contribute to a summary report about the leadership session.

Certification in Standard First Aid and Level ‘B' CPR or higher is encouraged for the successful candidate.

Please note that the staffing of these positions is contingent on the successful candidate's satisfactory completion of a police reference check for the vulnerable sector

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Adult Leaders (Multiple Positions Available)

Under the general direction of the Ten Oaks Project Board of Directors, and the immediate supervision of the Executive Director, the Adult Leader's role is to uphold and implement the mission, vision and values of the Ten Oaks Project, as well as the policies and procedures relating to Project Acorn. Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Providing leadership and organization to the camp community
• Coaching staff and participants in emergency safety procedures
• Supporting and facilitating mentorship, information, and skill‐strength building opportunities between adults and youth, and vice versa
• Leading, coordinating and facilitating aspects of the Project Acorn schedule and programming
• Assisting the planning, promoting and implementation of the Project Acorn program and related activities
• Working in partnership with Youth Leaders in the creation of a safe and inclusive living and learning environment at Project Acorn
• Supporting the Youth Leaders in the delivery of the peer‐lead ‘Pod' system by supporting them to be active designers and contributors or Pod activities
• Encouraging peer mentorship opportunities by supporting youth to be active contributors and participants in programs and initiatives at Project Acorn, in order to have youth voice and a strong youth presence
• Coaching participants and Leaders in emergency safety procedures
• Working in partnership with Youth Leaders in the creation of a safe and inclusive living and learning environment at Project Acorn

Before Project Acorn, Adult Leaders may be required to participate in the planning, promotion, and implementation of the Project Acorn program and related activities.
Adult Leaders report to the Project Acorn Coordinator and will complete other tasks as assigned. It is the expectation that Adult Leaders will be available on a volunteer basis from May to July to carry out the duties of these positions. It is a job requirement that Adult Leaders be available on site for the entirety of Project Acorn (including orientation and debrief).

Certification in Standard First Aid and Level ‘B' CPR or higher is encouraged for the successful candidate.

Please note that the staffing of this position is contingent on the successful candidate's satisfactory completion of a police reference check for the vulnerable sector.

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