First Aid and CPR Requirement:
Every staff MUST be certified in (at least) Basic First-Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer (Adult, Child, and AED) before you arrive for Staff Training. All Waterfront staff must have First Aid & CPR certifications as well as a valid Lifeguarding certification. All Waterfront staff sailing specific must have a valid motor boat license. If you need assistance with finding courses please email hiring@donleecenter.org
Age Requirements:
All summer staff must be at least 17 years old at the time of hiring start date.
Staff Development Requirement:
Weekend Staff Development is for high school aged students as they typically cannot attend Week-Long Staff Development due to school still being in session. Weekend Staff Development must be attended in its entirety. We welcome high school aged students to attend Week-Long Staff Development as well, or parts of it, if their school schedule allows.
Week-Long Staff Development is for college aged students, as most colleges are out of school by the time we begin staff development. Exceptions can be made for college aged staff to attend Weekend Staff Development instead, but this will be on a case by case basis. Week-Long Staff Development must be attended in its entirety.
Waterfront Staff Development is a requirement for all staff who are accepted onto waterfront staff, these jobs involve direct water supervision such as lifeguards and sailing. Lifeguard certification is also a requirement to be on waterfront staff. Your lifeguard certification must be complete and current by the time of Waterfront Staff Development.
Leadership Staff Development is a requirement for staff who are accepted onto the summer leadership team. These jobs include but are not limited to, Sail Master, Assistant Sail Master, Head Counselors, OLS Coordinator, Aquatics Coordinator, Summer Programs Assistant, Summer Camp Coordinator, Lead Media Specialist.
Staff Development Attendance Policy: We expect all staff to attend the staff development sessions that apply to them. If you cannot attend, you must notify your interviewer, as this may affect your hiring status and/or summer group assignments during your contracted dates.
Summer Staff 2026 Dates:
Weekend Staff Development: March 20- March 22, 2026 (For staff who are high school students)
Leadership Staff Development: May 18- May 25, 2026 (Only required if you are contracted for leadership staff)
Waterfront Staff Development (Only required if you are contracted for primary waterfront staff)
- Returning Staff: May 20(pm) - May 25, 2026
- First time Staff: May 22(pm) - May 25, 2026
Week-Long Staff Development (for staff who are college aged students or older)
- First time staff: May 28-June 4, 2026
- Returning staff: June 1- June 4, 2026