Phoebe Needles Center, Inc.
DONATE
E-News Signup

Employment Opportunities

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Phoebe Needles Center is an American Camp Association (ACA)-accredited camp and conference center in the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia whose mission is to serve the people of southwestern Virginia by offering facilities, and a variety of educational, spiritual, and renewal programs designed to nurture people in their spiritual journey.  Phoebe Needles (https://phoebeneedles.org/) sits on 70 acres nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Callaway, Virginia.  It is a Christian organization which invites and welcomes groups and individuals of all ages and faith backgrounds who seek: an environment, facilities, and programs that nurture and challenge in a setting that is safe spiritually, emotionally, and physically; an opportunity for transformative growth and the creative experience of God’s presence; and, a community that builds and furthers relationships by actively living love, forgiveness, and service.  

Phoebe Needles (PN) currently offers:

  • 8 weeks of Residential Summer Camp for rising fifth to twelfth graders
  • 5 weeks of Day Camp for rising first to fourth graders
  • Center for Lifelong Learning, a monthly seminar program and lunch for senior adults
  • Music in the Mountains, a quarterly musical gathering for local musical talent
  • Spring Gathering, a fundraiser with food, music, and storytelling
  • Facility rentals
  • Retreats, workshops, and conferences 

The board seeks an executive director to lead the operations of the camp and conference center, including the existing camps and programs, but welcomes the possibility of new programs, activities, and partnerships to further expand the PN mission.  To ensure continued ACA compliance, the executive director should have at least two seasons of camp supervisory experience, have completed an average of five hours a year of professional development, and be at least 25 years old.   A transition plan developed by current executive director and board will ensure a smooth and successful 2023 summer camp season including staffing, marketing, and camper registration. 

The intent is to have the new executive director in place prior to May 1, 2023.  Resumes will be accepted and reviewed as received with an anticipated hiring decision made by March 31, 2023.  For more information on the position, contact Mary Jane Akerman at PNCentersearch@gmail.com.  To apply for the position, email resume to PNCentersearch@gmail.com  by February 28, 2023. 

Job Responsibilities

Administrative

  1. Day-to-day operational leadership of camp and conference center,
  2. Reside on-site to respond to groups 24/7 for needs, wants, and emergencies
  3. Manage board meetings and responsibilities, ensure regular communication with board,
  4. Oversee all communications, including online and social media,
  5. Recruit, screen, hire, train, and supervise staff (currently 3 year-round; 25 seasonal)
  6. Oversee purchase, inventory, and food preparation in accordance with Virginia Department Health and ACA standards
  7. Ensure routine and long-term maintenance of all buildings and equipment 

Summer Camp Programs

  1. Recruit, screen, hire, train, and supervise seasonal staff
  2. Ensure that the camp staff has received all appropriate training and certification
  3. Develop and implement Summer Camp marketing plan
  4. Manage operational, crisis, and emergency procedures
  5. Work with staff to plan, develop, and implement programming for summer camps
  6. Develop and oversee strategies for reinforcing positive behaviors in a camp setting for all attendees and staff
  7. Maintain all records necessary for ACA accreditation
  8. Ensure expertise for specialized programs (high ropes course, climbing tower, rock climbing/rappelling, swimming, caving, backpacking)

Financial

  1. Create and manage annual budget with board approval
  2. Generate new and maintain existing revenue streams (donations, grants, fees)
  3. Secure funding for camp scholarships and outreach projects
  4. Work with bookkeeper and office manager to ensure orderly accounting process
  5. Ensure annual audit is conducted

Development

  1. Present a compelling story to potential donors
  2. Write letters of solicitation, follow up, and thanks
  3. Meet with and cultivate individual donors
  4. Research, write, and manage grants

Qualities

  1. Faith-based, mission-driven approach
  2. Focus on developing children and youth
  3. Love of outdoors and God’s creation and drive to share this love with others
  4. Entrepreneur – innovative, creative, business-minded
  5. Proactive in community engagement and seeking partnerships and opportunities
  6. Effective leadership of staff and board of directors
  7. Ability to multi-task and manage complex tasks

Benefits

  1. Salary range $50-60K, based on experience and skills
  2. Medical insurance, business, and travel reimbursements ($25K value)
  3. Housing provided ($22K value)

SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAM DIRECTOR

 GENERAL STAFF APPLICATION  

Phoebe Needles Center, Inc. seeks to hire a Program Director for our summer Day Camp program.  Day Camp@Phoebe Needles is a five-week program (plus one week of training) that operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for rising first through fourth graders.  

Start date is June 11th

End date is July 21st 

REQUIRED QUALITIES

  • Creativity
  • Engaging
  • Enjoy working with young children 
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Ability to multi-task
  • Patience
  • Ability to communicate clearly in a hectic environment

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Work with the Camp Director or Executive Director 
  • Check campers in/out daily
  • Manage teenage staff of seven people (ages 16-19)
  • Plan daily programming for five weeks (i.e. arts & crafts, games, swim time, etc.)
  • Make sure lunch/snacks are served according to VDH requirements
  • Evaluate program each day with staff
  • Organize and inventory supplies and materials
  • Provide Camp Director list of materials needed two weeks prior to camp
  • Build relationships with staff, campers, and parents

REQUIREMENTS

  • Minimum age 25
  • Criminal Background Check required (provided by PNCI)
  • First Aid and CPR certified (this can be provided by PNCI)

COMPENSATION

$130/day salary (paid every two weeks)

Covered by Workers Compensation

TO APPLY

Submit General Staff Application (along with resume, if desired) to PNCenter@gmail.com. For more information, call Executive Director John Heck at 540-483-1518.

RESIDENTIAL CAMP COUNSELOR

CALLING ALL COLLEGE STUDENTS… NOW HIRING FOR SUMMER 2023!!!

CAMP STAFF INFO  |   CAMP STAFF APPLICATION  |  CAMP STAFF MEDICAL FORM

The Phoebe Needles Center provides an outdoor experiential education program for youth in Southwestern Virginia. The program includes two weeks of staff development and training, followed by six weeks of camp. We are looking to hire counselors to work with the teens and be a part of the staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist with leading/instructing campers in day-to-day group activities, high/low ropes course elements, backpacking, caving, small group discussions, rock climbing, swimming, construction, hiking, nature lore, arts and crafts, camping and experiential initiatives. Additional opportunities to help with program design and development.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants should be at least 18 years old (preferably one year of college) and interested in working with youth, environmental and outdoor activities, and should be a good communicator, flexible, mature, responsible, energetic, hard working and good humored. Instrumental/musical skills a plus.

BENEFITS: Weekly stipend, room, board, worker’s compensation provided. First Aid and CPR training, ropes course, and rock climbing training will be provided.

AVAILABILITY: Eight weeks. APPLY IMMEDIATELY.

TO APPLY: Submit Camp Staff Application to PNCenter@gmail.com. For more information, call 540-483-1518.