Community Partnerships Coordinator

For more than 100 years, Trail Blazer Camps (TBC) and Hands In 4 Youth (HI4Y) have been providing nationally recognized summer camp and youth development programs to families in need from New York and New Jersey. Thousands of children and teens have participated in life-changing experiences at overnight camp, day camp, after school, and school trips. While separate organizations, our two non-profits have a history of deep collaboration, rooted in the goals of leveraging shared resources to maximize youth impact. We share the strong belief that every child deserves the opportunity to play, learn, and grow at camp and that camp should be financially accessible for all families.

Summary of Position

The Community Partnerships Coordinator (CPC) will increase low-income middle school youth’s access to our overnight summer camps and school field trips by developing and deepening partnerships in the New Jersey communities of New Brunswick, Paterson, Passaic, and Elizabeth. The CPC will report jointly to the Overnight Camp Directors at Trail Blazers and Hands In 4 Youth. This is an exciting role for individuals who are passionate about the transformative power of summer camp and connecting low-income and underserved youth and families to new opportunities.

The Community Partnerships Coordinator is a shared position for both Trail Blazers and Hand In 4 Youth. This is a full-time, year round exempt position, funded by a 3-year grant from the American Camping Association. It is based in New Jersey with frequent travel within the identified communities as well as the occasional travel to New York City.

Essential Functions

Community Partner Cultivation

• Act as the primary point person with local community organizations, social service agencies, and schools managing ongoing communication and outreach necessary to sustain and build the relationship.
• Identify and engage new prospective program partners, including schools and community organizations
• Increase our camps’ physical presence in communities in order to recruit campers and engage partners including camp fairs, community/ partner events, school PTA meetings, street fairs, etc.
• Engage local stakeholders such as business leaders, council members, and community advocates.
• Create and host TBC/HI4Y informational, volunteer, and recruitment events to engage the community and recruit campers and support enrollment.
• Meet with parents in-person or virtually to answer questions or provide information about programs.
• Identify local funding/fundraising opportunities to support camp scholarships

Camper Recruitment

• Work collaboratively with TBC and HI4Y Overnight Camp Directors to increase the number of overnight summer campers and school field trips from the identified communities with a focus on middle school. Develop strategy and timeline for meeting enrollment goals.
• Support camp families in registration and forms completion as needed in-person and virtually, following up with interested families to ensure registration; support camper pick up/ drop-offs in identified communities
• Increase year-over-year retention of first campers to attend multiple summers of camp
• Increase the number of schools and community organizations participating in multiple camp-based school trips

Administration and Program Evaluation

• Provide post-summer follow up, soliciting feedback and coordinating with evaluation staff to share camper outcomes and successes.
• Perform accurate and timely recordkeeping and data entry, including progress reports for grant funders. Participate in weekly joint check-in meetings with TBC and HI4Y staff.

Other responsibilities as needed. This job description is non-exhaustive and subject to change at any time.

Job Specifications

• Bilingual in written and spoken Spanish and English required
• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in youth development, preferably summer camp; or community outreach/ organizing. Experience recruiting children and families for camp or youth programs a strong plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; comfortable with public speaking and presentations
• Enthusiastic and positive personality; Enjoy working with a wide variety of people and communities
• Strong project management skills including managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Able to proactively problem solve and identify creative solutions to challenges.
• Ability to travel to multiple locations throughout New Jersey and New York City
• Available to work some evenings and weekends to attend community and partner events
• Ability to move safely around the office, school sites, and parks, including able to climb flights of stairs; able to lift up to 15 lbs
• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions
• Willingness to undergo background check requirements

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employee contribution available upon hire
• 403(b) savings account with employer match available after 90 days
• FSA account available after 90 days
• 3 weeks paid vacation available after 90-day introductory period; 1 additional day after 1 year; 2 additional days after 2 years; 2 additional days after 3 years
• Three (3) paid personal leave to accommodate family needs, appointments, religious celebrations, and other personal items
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Years
• All federal holidays observed, plus the day after Thanksgiving and one floating holiday

Bilingual in written and spoken Spanish and English required