Farm Animals - Activity Specialist 

Program Summary

Hidden Villa is a non-profit organization with a 100-year history, focusing on environmental education, land stewardship and community building. We use our organic farm, surrounding wilderness and community to provide opportunities to learn about the environment and social justice. Hidden Villa stretches over 1600 acres of open space in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 40 miles south of San Francisco.

Hidden Villa is committed to creating an environment where all people are welcomed and feel a sense of belonging while here on the farm. This approach opens the door for formative experiences for our campers as they enjoy this beautiful place in nature and build connections with the people and world around them.

Each day, campers embark on adventures through the farm and wilderness preserve. They are challenged to try new things and find confidence in their individuality as they strike up friendships with the other youth in their group. Our staff are trained on how to maintain an empathetic and compassionate learning approach while they facilitate thought provoking activities and discussions around social and environmental issues. 

Position Description

Hidden Villa Summer Camp is seeking an Activity Specialist to oversee the Farm Animal specialty program. As an activity specialist you are responsible for the flow of the schedule as campers come and participate in activities in your specialty area, like daily animal chores and activities like Pig Spa and Goat Grooming. Collaborating with Unit Leaders and counselors it will be your role to ensure campers have a safe, fun and engaging experience when participating in your specialized activities. You will also be responsible for communicating with our full-time Animal Husbandry team to ensure the highest level of care for the animals when it comes to camp programming.

This position is part of our leadership team and you will have the responsibility of training the counselor team on how your activities run during our all staff training. An activity specialist role is the perfect place to lean into your passion and support our summer camp in a critical way. 

About the Position 

Position Title: Animals - Activity Specialist

Reports to: Program Coordinator

Exempt/ Non-Exempt: Exempt 

Benefits: $680/per week. ($20/week increase of pay for staff who are lifeguard or ropes course certified) Living space & meals provided.

Duration: May 28th - August 3rd, 2024 (Paid staff training May 28th - June 14th) 

Essential Job Duties

• Provide expertise, scheduling, leadership and supervision with regards to our farm animals.

• Ability to communicate and work with groups of all ages and skills levels. Provide necessary instruction and communication of safety procedures to staff and campers.

• Ability to observe camper and staff behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.

• Cognitive and communication abilities to plan and implement activities to achieve camper development objectives.

• Live on site for the duration of the summer contract.

• Continuously provide programming in your assigned space that relates to Hidden Villa Summer Camp’s mission.

• Facilitate the operation of the specialty program areas.

• Ensure that all American Camp Association regulations concerning program area are adhered to, including supervision ratios.

• Submit requests for orders for any necessary equipment or supplies, ensuring timely arrival of materials.

• Perform regular inventory and maintenance of activity equipment.

• Write up activities and keep them in the Activities Specialist Google Drive.

• Submit a written report at the conclusion of the summer evaluating the current season and making suggestions for the following season.

• These are not the only duties to be performed. Some duties may be reassigned and others assigned as required.

Candidate Qualifications

• Experience and qualifications working in a farm setting with animals, like sheep, goats, cows, pigs and chickens

• Ability to maintain records and necessary administrative tasks as they relate to the equipment

• Ability to work well with peers in a team environment with little supervision

• Desire and ability to work with youth in an outdoor setting

• Current First Aid and CPR certifications preferred

• Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record (no major infractions) required

• At least 21 years of age

• Flexibility and patience

• Responsible use of time-off to recharge and take appropriate self-care 

Physical Requirements
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job operates in an outdoor setting. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. Camp can be a high energy environment where noise and stimulus can reach overwhelming levels. While performing duties of this job, the employee is required to regularly stand; walk miles at a time on uneven terrain. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Mandated Reporting and Staff Training

Our summer camp staff members are mandated reporters and are required to complete a mandated reporter training.  It is possible that a camper will share information or experiences from their home life that requires Hidden Villa to file a report with Child Welfare Services. This can be upsetting to some individuals and is our legal and ethical duty to report cases of suspected child abuse.

Summer camp staff training is designed to equip our staff with the skills and tools they need to be effective leaders within our camp. At times staff training will focus on complicated topics such as mental health crises, child abuse, sexual harassment in the workplace, and neurodivergent behavior. While staff can take space when needed, participation in all training sessions is required.

Fill out this form to apply!

Hidden Villa is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and campers.