Camp Caldera Junior Advocate

At Caldera we believe in the power of creativity. Our mission is to inspire and support youth from underserved rural and urban communities by awakening the potential of their creative voice. We do this through a unique fusion of art environment and mentorship. Our Youth Program provides students from Portland and Central Oregon with long-term relationships with caring adults which nurtures individual creativity beginning in sixth grade and continuing into young adulthood.

Caldera has a $5M budget a 18-member board 21 full-time year-round employees and a range of seasonally contracted artists and staff. Its administrative office is located in Portland Oregon and its Arts Center is located outside of Sisters in Central Oregon.

Position Title: Junior Advocate

Supervisor: Junior Advocate Supervisor

FULL TIME Typical days are 8hours in length with sessions that make for up to 10 straight days of work without a full day off. Each staff member will have at least 1 night off per session.

Work Location: Sisters OR

Compensation:

• Salary/Rate of Pay: $105/day with 1% increase for each year of experience working at Camp Caldera (not to exceed 7%)
• Training Salary/Rate of Pay: $50-75/day
• Room and board provided during days with programming; room only during non-programming days. A light dinner will be provided on staff arrival days. Brunch is served on the last day of each session.

Position Description:

This position is intended to help train mentor and provide feedback for individuals with limited experience who are interested in becoming youth workers. Each Junior Advocate supports a group of four to eight campers per camp session and works to build a fun and cohesive team with assigned campers as well as the greater camp community. The Junior Advocate will take over for Advocates as assigned by the Junior Advocate Supervisor.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

DIRECT YOUTH WORK (80% OF TIME DEDICATED)

• Meet youth and families at bus pick-up locations support check-in process and supervision on the bus
• Actively participate in pre-camp training and meetings
• With the guidance of supervisor and camp leadership assist Caldera youth with conflict resolution and one-on-one goal setting encouraging appropriate risk-taking
• With the guidance of supervisor and camp leadership guide campers to participate successfully in all aspects of camp activities which include but are not limited to: orientation behavior policies meals free time tipi time shower scheduling housekeeping duties evening activities community meetings campfires field trips and final celebrations
• With team of Junior Advocates plan and lead nightly campfires modeling appropriate structure and behavior
• Usher campers to and from activities in a punctual manner
• Maintain camper confidentiality (except in the event of specific necessary disclosures)
• Support health safety and emotional well being of campers
• Alert supervisor to relevant camper issues
• Other duties as assigned

CLASSROOM PREPARATION (10% OF TIME DEDICATED)

• Assist with classroom tasks and addressing youth behavior.
• Facilitate and participate in camp clean-up activities.
• Maintain communication with youth advocates to ensure needs of youth are being met

CAMP SUPPORT (10% OF TIME DEDICATED)

• Alert supervisor to relevant camper issues
• Promote program understanding and involvement through Calderas goals and agreements participation agreement and responsibility process
• Actively participate in all aspects of camp life including: camper orientation community meetings evening activities campfire free time etc.
• Model appropriate camper behavior at all times
• Perform duties with consistency and integrity
• Set and respect personal boundaries while acting as mentors guides and allies to campers
• Oversee health and safety of charges in fire drills and emergency procedures
• Maintain cleanliness of living and common areas and help with clean-up at the end of each session

Required Qualifications:

• 1 year of experience working with youth
• A strong desire to learn and help foster a positive community experience
• Must be at least 18 years of age and have had at least one year away from Caldera as a camper
• Ability to understand our racially diverse student populations perspective either through lived experience previous qualifications or work experience
• Ability to navigate through potentially triggering and challenging conversations and situations while maintaining focus on the wellbeing of youth
• Familiarity with culturally responsive and anti-oppression frameworks and experience working with racially and ethnically diverse staff and youth strongly preferred
• Ability to set appropriate boundaries in a proactive and positive manner
• Excellent communication skills
• Bilingual and/or bicultural skills highly desired
• Must pass a background check. Caldera considers systemic injustices when investigating findings
• Willingness to live in a camp setting and work irregular and long hours. Additionally you must have the ability to deal with limited cell and internet service and daily exposure to outdoor factors such as sun heat bugs bats snakes etc.

Job Requirements:

• Serve as mandatory reporter working with Youth Impact Manager to report instances or suspicion of child abuse. Caldera has a zero tolerance policy around child abuse and any negligence will result in immediate dismissal
• Requires on-site living in shared staff quarters
• Alcohol and drugs are not permitted on campus even in personal living quarters.
• Must be physically able to move around 116 acres of camp property with varied terrain
• Must have visual perceptual and cognitive ability to recognize and respond quickly to health
• and safety concerns of students and appropriately re-direct any behavior that is misaligned with Caldera agreements
• Employees must carry out their duties regardless of inclement weather which can include but is not limited to heat rain wind cold and smoky or dusty conditions.
• Moments of quiet and non-activity are few and spread out
• Creating a cohesive staff environment round the clock can be challenging. It is crucial that staff see youth and adults through a strengths-based lens and prioritize creating the best possible youth experience at all times despite what challenges may arise at the staff level
• Physical Demands (which can include bending stooping hiking climbing and stretching) are: 5% Sitting 45% Standing 20% Walking 30% Lifting/Carrying/Pushing/Pulling Pounds 5 -80 lbs.

To Apply:

Please fill out and submit an application. Please also submit a reference ideally from each of the following categories: a youth serving organization a family member and one other professional reference. All applications must contain a resume and completion of the screening questions. All materials are reviewed and considered as part of the hiring process.

Application Deadline: May 15. 2026