Director of First Aid

ABOUT SOLAR YOUTH Solar Youth, Inc. is a New Haven-based nonprofit dedicated to youth development and environmental education. Our mission is to empower youth from New Haven’s under-resourced neighborhoods to achieve lifelong success—nothing less!

Many of the young people we serve face significant challenges, with limited access to positive role models and meaningful opportunities. At Solar Youth, we strive to be a consistent and supportive presence, building long-term relationships that begin as early as age 4 and continue through high school.

Through our neighborhood-based programs, youth explore their environment, develop skills and confidence as agents of positive change, and teach others what they have learned—a model we call Kids Explore! Kids Do! Kids Teach! We emphasize thoughtful decision-making, personal responsibility, and FUN, while helping youth cultivate the skills and motivation to become engaged members of their communities, build healthy relationships, develop both physical and mental well-being, and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

At the heart of our work are five core elements, which connect youth to nature, their communities, and each other: Environmental Exploration, fostering a deep appreciation for the world around them; Youth-Led Problem Solving, encouraging leadership and critical thinking; Nonviolent Communication, promoting empathy, conflict resolution, and strong relationships; and Mindfulness Practice, instilling self-awareness and emotional regulation.

Learn more at solaryouth.org.

SOLAR YOUTH CAMP Solar Youth’s Camp is a five-week summer program designed to provide up to 100 youth with opportunities to explore their local environment, develop essential life skills, and build confidence as community leaders. Open to youth ages 5 to 13 at no cost to families, our camp nurtures a deep connection to nature, personal growth, and overall well-being.

Throughout the program, youth engage in hands-on environmental exploration, learning about New Haven’s diverse ecology and urban infrastructure while gaining a broader understanding of conservation and sustainability. Camp activities include active games, arts and crafts, team-building exercises, outdoor learning experiences, mindfulness practices, literacy support, community service projects, and weekly field trips beyond their neighborhoods.

By fostering curiosity, leadership, and joy, Solar Youth’s Camp empowers youth to see themselves as stewards of their environment and agents of positive change.

THE POSITION Director of First Aid (DOFA) is a key member of the camp leadership team, responsible for the health, safety, and overall well being of all campers and staff throughout the summer program. This role includes administering first aid, managing camper medications, responding to health-related incidents, and ensuring that all camp health and safety protocols are consistently followed.

The ideal candidate will have strong clinical knowledge, prior experience in a camp or youth setting, excellent decision-making skills, and a passion for working with children in outdoor environments. The DOFA must be calm under pressure, communicative, and proactive in addressing wellness needs. They will also serve as the primary point of contact for health-related communication with staff and families, and are responsible for submitting weekly health updates and incident reports to the off-site Camp Nurse.

In addition to these core responsibilities, the Director of First Aid may support general camp operations during periods of downtime, when medical needs are minimal. These additional duties will be collaborative and supportive in nature and may include:

• Assisting with camp logistics (e.g., setup, cleanup, supply distribution)
• Helping manage transitions between activities
• Supporting youth engagement during group times or outdoor exploration

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• Start Date: Ideally June 2nd, but flexible—especially for candidates with academic-year commitments (e.g., school nurses). Some responsibilities, such as following up with families about missing forms or sending emails, may begin earlier and can be done remotely if needed.
• End Date: Between August 1st - 8th
• Location: (IN-PERSON) New Haven, CT
• Pay: $22-$26 per hour, commensurate with experience.
• JOB SCHEDULE: SY CAMP dates are tentatively June 30th - July 31st. Camp is daily M-TH 8:30AM-3:00PM (subject to change). The Director of First Aid is expected to work full days, Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Fridays are reserved for additional needs and will be scheduled in advance at the discretion of the Camp Directors.
• 21+ years of age preferable with a clean driving record
• Candidates can expect a phone call, zoom, and/or in-person interview.

TO APPLY: go to THIS JOB APPLICATION FORM. You will be asked to upload your resume and cover letter (a one page description of how your values drive your work and why your experiences are a fit for the role).

Please note that we are a small organization and aim to respond to all candidates, but due to the volume of responses may not be able to in a timely manner. If you follow the above directions, you should get an automated email response confirming receipt of your application. If you are selected to move forward in the hiring process, you will be contacted by us directly. NO CALLS PLEASE.

Solar Youth is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.