Echo Lake Camp Manager

Echo Lake Camp, Mt. Desert, ME

Manager of AMC’s Echo Lake Camp

 Summary:

The Appalachian Mountain Club seeks applicants for the position of Manager of Echo Lake Camp, an affordable, rustic, family camp located on Mount Desert Island, ME. The Manager’s primary responsibility is to manage the day-to-day operation of the Camp with the other seasonal hired staff, while maintaining a welcoming, friendly, and safe atmosphere for all guests and staff. 

The Manager is supervised by the Echo Lake Camp Committee Chair. Approximately 85 guests arrive at Echo Lake Camp each week of the summer to enjoy hiking and exploring the flora and fauna of Acadia National Park as well as biking, swimming, and sailing.  The Manager will recruit, train, and supervise a seasonal staff of up to 10 crew members and up to 4 additional senior staff.

The ideal candidate will foster the wonderful sense of community that characterizes Echo Lake Camp and has drawn families back for generations.  Each week, guests join a community that welcomes them, celebrates their interests, and enables them to enjoy each other’s company as they seek refreshment in the natural beauty of Acadia National Park and its surroundings. The Manager will balance camp history and tradition with an equitable, inclusive and culturally relevant environment for staff, guests, visitors, volunteers and other constituents.  

The ideal candidate will possess outstanding management skills as demonstrated through similar work in summer camp management and will demonstrate the ability to create an environment in which guests can relax, recreate, consider and act on environmental issues, and socialize with each other. Mentoring young adults is an essential part of this position.

This is a residential position from mid-June through the Labor Day weekend. The Manager also performs year-round administrative responsibilities remotely in preparation for the summer season. Couples who are interested in sharing the duties and compensation are welcome to apply. 

Salary range: $14,000 – $17,000 

Summer Responsibilities (approximately 80% of the work effort)

1. Serve as a Host/Hostess to guests– Promote a positive and safe guest experience within an affordable, rustic, family camp environment. Work to achieve the special Camp “sense of place” while maintaining its traditional simplicity. 
2. Manage Camp Operations: With entire staff, open camp prior to the start of the summer season and oversee staff training, cleaning, and camp set-up. With the help of the Assistant Manager and Chef, oversee ten crew members throughout the summer as they support the day-to-day operations of camp and provide camp spirit. Ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, campground and other regulations. Assist/support Echo Lake Camp volunteer hike leaders, evening program leaders, and naturalists to provide programming for campers. Close camp at the end of the summer and coordinate use of the camp by AMC after its closing for the summer.
3. Oversee food service – With the help of the Chef, oversee all aspects of the food service which includes planning, ordering, budgeting, preparing, and serving meals.  Provide guest feedback to the Chef. 
4. Oversee camp maintenance – Provide guidance to the Assistant Manager who is responsible for the overall maintenance of the Camp and for ensuring the physical plant is safe and operated in compliance with all codes.
5. Business Operations – Responsible for the sound fiscal management of Echo Lake Camp operations. Keep accurate records and accounts, track all guest accounts and collect payments, pay bills, and maintain excellent relationships with suppliers and vendors. Ensure compliance with AMC’s Personnel Policies, payroll and employment procedures.

Off Season Responsibilities (approximately 20% of the work effort)

1. Hire Staff and Crew: Recruit and hire the Chef, Assistant Chef, Crew, and bus-driver and ensure compliance with AMC’s Personnel Policies, payroll and employment procedures.  Work with the Committee to recruit volunteer leaders. 
2. Work effectively with the Echo Lake Camp Committee and AMC staff: Attend Echo Lake Camp Committee Meetings. Prepare reports for Echo Lake Camp Committee and AMC as needed. Assist Echo Lake Camp Committee Treasurer in preparing the budgets and support the AMC annual audit process. 
3. Maintain contact with winter caretaker: Coordinate maintenance with the caretaker during the off-season.  
4. Other Tasks: Maintain an ELC camper mailing list.  Support off-season marketing efforts.   

Reporting Relationships: The Camp Manager works under the general direction of the Echo Lake Camp Committee and supervision of the Echo Lake Camp Committee Chair and has reporting and coordinating relationships with several members of the AMC staff.

AMC Mission Statement

Founded in 1876, the AMC (www.outdoors.org) is the oldest conservation, education, and recreation organization in the United States. The mission of the Appalachian Mountain Club is to foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors.

We envision a world where our natural resources are healthy, loved, and always protected, and where the outdoors occupies a place of central importance in every person’s life.

AMC Echo Lake Camp’s Mission Statement

AMC’s Echo Lake Camp furthers the AMC mission by maintaining a recreational camp.  Guests are encouraged to become conservationists by volunteer leaders, and a camp culture, which blend education into the camp’s recreational programs.

 The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger. The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility which serves children, disabled persons, or the elderly to have a criminal background record check performed on their name annually with employment contingent upon satisfactory results. 

The Appalachian Mountain Club values diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome all candidates to apply and we invite the full participation of all individuals currently underrepresented in the outdoor community. This includes, but is not limited to individuals from all backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and individuals who experience intersectionality with one or more of these identities.