Veteran Staff Application
Dear Applicant:
Thank you for re-applying for employment at the Lair of the Golden Bear. If you are fortunate enough to be selected again as one of the staff, your Lair experience will be one you’ll never forget! As you know, the Lair is a magical place that creates lasting memories for generations of Cal Alumni and their friends and families. As a veteran staff member, your role in developing those memories is extremely important. Our campers look to you and your peers to continue to create a special experience and we are counting on you, if re-hired, to be even more involved in making their stay fantastic.
Please take this application seriously. There is no guarantee that you will be hired back just because you worked during a previous summer. Additionally, if you are applying for a third or fourth year on staff, you need to convince us that you deserve to come back and take a spot from a potential staffer that could spend the next two or three summers on staff. Based on previous years, there is a high likelihood that we will turn away some veteran staffers because we have such a limited number of positions. Our goal is to fill our staffs with the best available talent, regardless of seniority. What we do in Pinecrest is too important for us not to put the best possible team together. You were hired originally because we believed you had what it takes. Please take this opportunity to remind us why we hired you and to show why your experience makes you a great candidate.
On behalf of the entire Lair team, I want to personally thank you for taking the time to fill out this application and for going through the entire application process. I wish you the best of luck.
Sincerely,
Michael Yaley
Director, Lair of the Golden Bear
STAFF APPLICATION FACT SHEET
This brief fact sheet is provided to answer some of the most common questions regarding the Lair of the Golden Bear employment opportunity. If you have any other questions please call the Lair Office at 510.900.8257 direct, or (888) CAL-ALUM. You may also email .
ELIGIBILITY: In order to be eligible to staff at the Lair one must be enrolled in a two or four year college or have had graduated May 2014 or later. These terms of eligibility do not apply to the cooking staff.
DATES: ALL staffers are required to work for the full 2015 summer season. ALL staffers are required to arrive at camp on Friday June 7 if attending a semester school and NO LATER THAN Friday June 12 if attending a school on the quarter system, to begin orientation and training. ALL semester school staffers who are still in school are expected to work through Saturday, August 22, 2015. ALL other staff will be expected to work through Sunday, September 20. If you have ANY conflicts with these dates, you MUST note them in the section provided on the application.
LOCATION: Camp is located 150 miles east of Berkeley, and 30 miles east of Sonora, in the central Sierra Nevada town of Pinecrest, CA (elevation 5600 feet). The Lair consists of three camps: Camp Gold, which opened in 1949, Camp Blue, which opened in 1957, and Camp Oski, which opened in 1997. The camps are located just one half-mile from one another and are connected by footpaths and service roads.
APPLICANT POOL AND SALARIES: In 2015, we expect to hire approximately one out of every four applicants. Starting staff member/crew salary for the summer is $975per month plus room and board. Staffers can expect to take home approximately $2000 for the summer
WORK SCHEDULE & TIME OFF: Beyond the work week, staffers will receive a designated full day-and-a-half off on either Sunday and Monday or Tuesday and Wednesday.
LIVING CONDITIONS: Typically two to four staffers live together in a semi-enclosed tent-cabin in the staff area. In general, staff cabins are spartan and allow very little privacy. The climate can occasionally be cold and conditions are dusty. Meals are served family style in the Dining Hall at each camp. The staff uses community men’s and women’s restrooms in the staff area.
CAMP SAFETY: ALL staffers must be certified in CPR and AED for the entire summer. *This is a condition of employment*. It is recommended that you make plans early to attend an upcoming training class. It is imperative that you are CPR and AED certified prior to reporting for duty at camp. First aid certification is also strongly encouraged. For lifeguard applicants, a state certification is required; W.S.I. is strongly recommended. If you are applying to be an age group staffer, you must be lifeguard certified prior to reporting for duty. Open water certification is a plus.
All staff will be required to complete and pass a DMV and Criminal background check. As a veteran staffer, you have already been through this process and will not be required to go through the process again unless you failed to complete the process last summer. We will however, process both background checks as a routine using the information that we currently have. If your drivers license status has changed, please let us know.
CAMP PREFERENCES: If you have a preference to work at one of the three camps, we will take that into consideration. However, the needs of each camp will determine where you may be hired. Due to the limited number of available positions and the talents required at each camp, we are unable to make any commitments at the time of application or interview.
STAFF HANDBOOK: Guidelines and policies of the Lair of the Golden Bear are explained for hired staffers in the Staff Handbook. Violation of any policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND INTERVIEW DEADLINES
1. Complete and submit your application right here online.
2. Submit your completed application to Daniel Prelip (510.900.8257) using the online form beginning December 1 and no later than 5:00 PM on February 13, 2015. Once your application has been reviewed we will contact you with the next steps. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application early.
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Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM February 13, 2015.
Final selections will be announced by email no later than April 3, 2015.
If you have any questions, please visit or call the Lair Office. We are located at 2440 Bancroft, up the walkway on the right side of the building, second door on the left. Phone number: (510) 643-0103 or (888) CAL-ALUM; fax: (510) 642-6100; email: or regular mail: Attn: Daniel Prelip, Lair of the Golden Bear, 1 Alumni House, Berkeley, CA 94720-7520.
COME AND MEET THE STAFF NIGHT
Please join us on Wednesday January 28th for our Staff Information Night at the Alumni House in Berkeley. This night is used as an opportunity for potential applicants/staffers to meet and mingle with veteran Lair staffers and to answer some questions they might have about the Lair staff experience. Veteran Lair staffers play a huge part in the success of the evening, so please come out and bring a friend. The event will be held from 6:00 to 7:30.
JOB DESCRIPTIONS: Brief descriptions of all of the Lair positions are noted below.
CREWS: Many staffers will be assigned to a crew position (described below), working in an organized group of 4-9 people. In addition to fulfilling specific job duties, all staff members are required to interact with our campers, be role models for the kids, and participate in all campfire shows and athletic events. Crew members are also asked to work in other areas as directed.
Kub Korral: Responsible for care and supervision of children (diaper graduates), aged 2-5. KK is a crew of four, including a director. Previous classroom or day care experience strongly recommended. Genuine love of youngsters required. Daily activities include arts and crafts (painting, coloring, and glue projects suitable for this age group), storytelling, music, swimming and recreational play. Required participation in day and evening programs. Additional duties paid through room and board.
Age Groups: Supervise age appropriate activities, including, among many other things, arts & crafts, athletics, pool parties, nature projects, campfires, music, boating, fishing, hiking, dances and movies. Day and evening hours required. Supply maintenance required. Age groups are divided as follows: 5 to7 year olds; 8&9 year olds; preteens- 10 to12 year olds; “Young Teens” – 13&14 year olds; and “Old Teens” – 15 to 17 year olds. Recommend strong communication skills, ability to exercise good judgment and group control experience necessary. Previous classroom or day care experience strongly recommended. Must be able to state and enforce camp rules. Must possess a valid driver’s license - job may include driving camp vehicles. Additional duties paid through room and board.
Maintenance: Responsible for cleaning and upkeep of all camp facilities, including bathrooms and dish washing areas. Maintenance is a crew, including a director. Primary duties include washing meal dishes, garbage handling and removal, bathroom cleaning, recycling, miscellaneous camp repairs and overall camp cleanliness. One must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Assist age group directors with their programs, day and evening. Must possess a valid driver’s license - job may include driving camp vehicles. Additional duties paid through room and board.
Art: Provide instruction to campers of all ages in ceramics (wheel and hand building), bisque ware, lanyards, textile painting and tie-dye. The crew will organize materials, and maintain inventory and cleanliness of materials and facilities. Lead multiple kiln firings each week. There is constant interaction with campers of all ages. A strong customer service and/or teaching background is necessary; flexibility, patience and diplomacy are all vital requirements. Duties extend beyond regular program hours. Additional duties paid through room and board.
Lifeguard: Responsible for operation and daily supervision of the pool and pool area, maintenance of equipment and deck furniture. Lead group-swimming lessons (and private as scheduled), lead water aerobics, lifeguard and supervise recreational swimming. Previous life guarding and instruction experience strongly recommended. One must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. One must have current Lifeguarding certification. Water Safety Instruction a plus. One must be willing to begin work early in the morning. Additional duties paid through room and board.
Store: Work in the Lair Store, which sells snacks, sundries and clothing. Operate cash register, balance daily receipts, maintain Store cleanliness, and display merchandise. The store is a very fast-paced, customer-oriented job. There is constant interaction with campers of all ages. Strong customer service background, flexibility, patience and diplomacy all vital requirements. Lead cashier for food and drink sales at the Burger Shack. Duties extend beyond regular program hours. One must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Additional duties paid through room and board.
Kitchen/Cook: Preparation and execution of three meals on a daily basis and other duties as assigned under the supervision of the Head Cook. One must possess strong organizational skills and the ability to work within a tight knit team. Lair cooks are responsible for the overall quality of the food and the overall cleanliness of the kitchen and its surrounding areas. The kitchen is a fast paced and high energy hub that requires one to concentrate on the task at hand. Prior cooking experience is not a requirement, but a strong work ethic and the willingness to learn is. One must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Additional duties paid through room and board.
DIRECTORS: In addition to fulfilling specific job duties, all staff members are required to interact with our campers, be role models for the kids, and participate in all campfire shows and athletic events. Directors also work in other areas as directed.
Kub Korral: Lead the KK Crew. Responsible for care and supervision of children (diaper graduates), aged 2-5. KK is a crew of four, including a director. Previous classroom or day care experience strongly recommended. Genuine love of youngsters required. Daily activities include arts and crafts (painting, coloring, and glue projects suitable for this age group), storytelling, music, swimming and recreational play. Required participation in day and evening programs. Additional duties paid through room and board.
Age Groups: All age group directors plan, organize and supervise age appropriate activities, including, among many other things, arts & crafts, athletics, pool parties, nature projects, campfires, music, boating, fishing, hiking, dances and movies. Day and evening hours required. Supply maintenance required. Age groups are divided as follows: 5 to7 year olds; 8&9 year olds; preteens- 10 to12 year olds; “Young Teens” – 13&14 year olds; and “Old Teens” – 15 to 17 year olds. Recommend strong communication skills, ability to exercise good judgment and group control experience necessary. Previous classroom or day care experience strongly recommended. Must be able to state and enforce camp rules. Must possess a valid driver’s license - job may include driving camp vehicles. Additional duties paid through room and board. Lifeguard certification is a REQUIREMENT if hired for an age group directorship
Art: Lead the Art Crew. Provide instruction to campers of all ages in ceramics (wheel and hand building), bisque ware, lanyards, textile painting and tie-dye. The crew will organize materials, and maintain inventory and cleanliness of materials and facilities. Lead multiple kiln firings each week. There is constant interaction with campers of all ages. A strong customer service and/or teaching background is necessary; flexibility, patience and diplomacy are all vital requirements. Duties extend beyond regular program hours. Additional duties paid through room and board.
Nature: Organize and lead camper hikes in surrounding areas. One must have basic knowledge of Sierra flora and fauna. Must relate well to adults, have extensive hiking experience, outdoor safety awareness, and encourage an appreciation of the environment. Previous classroom or day care experience strongly recommended. Food preparation skills recommended. The candidate must be able to lead group hikes of various levels of difficulty. Must possess a valid driver’s license - job may include driving camp vehicles. Additional duties paid through room and board.