GRYC Program Manager Questionnaire

Aussi disponible en français.

The Gatineau River Yacht Club (GRYC) is a family-oriented, volunteer-driven, sailing club dedicated to promoting and encouraging active participation in the sport of sailing and other water-related recreational activities. The GRYC is situated on two small islands in the Gatineau River in Chelsea, 15 minutes north of downtown Ottawa.

The GRYC Program Manger is the senior staff position for the club. The Program Manager first and foremost is responsible for managing both adult and youth sailing programs. This requires interacting with adult members, assisting and supporting the volunteer sailing committee and managing the youth sailing camp program.

Together with the Head Sailing Instructor, you will plan, organize and be responsible for the delivery of a high quality, dynamic summer sailing camp for youth 9-15 years. The sailing camp staff report to you.

Working with the Fleet Captain (volunteer) the Program Manager will develop a boat maintenance plan and establish boat use procedures that foster care and respect of boat use and safety. The boat fleet consists of various types of sailing dinghies and two safety motor boats. You will work to instill respectful boat use amongst all staff, members, and youth sailors. The Program Manager also overseas the island facilities (small clubhouse) and reports repair needs to the volunteer facilities committee.

The Program Manager has a varied schedule. The daily schedule may start at 8:00 am some mornings, but other mornings you may choose to work later and go into the evening depending on events on the island and scheduling of other staff. Weekend work is required.

Program Manager Questionnaire

Please state whether your first language is French of English, and your level of competence in understanding and speaking the other language.

1. Certification

• What is your highest sailing certification - CYA instructor level? When did you obtain this level?
   
• What is your highest swimming certification? When did you obtain this level?
   
• Does your lifesaving certification need re-certifying? If yes, will you be acquiring your recertification in the spring, or taking a new level in the spring?
   
• Is your CPR certification valid?
   
• Do you have other credentials or certifications you would like the hiring committee to consider?

2. Sailing

• What is the extent of your sailing/racing experience?
   
• Have you participated in any sailing regattas or been part of an organizing committee for a regatta?
   
• How would you promote and develop youth and adult sailing at all levels; and instill a love for the sport in the students and GRYC members?
   
• Do you have other aquatic/boat skills or experience (canoeing, kayaking, wind surfing) that you might bring to the Program Manager position?

3. Boat maintenance and repair

• What is your experience and knowledge in boat repair? What are you capable of doing and how would you rate your skills?
   
• How would you maintain a high level of boat maintenance and ensure boats are fixed in a timely manner? How would you minimize equipment failure? (Note: The Program Manager is not expected to do all boat repair him/herself).

4. Program planning, leadership and management

• State your experience in program planning, development and implementation (teaching, event planning, camp counselor/director). Describe your roles and responsibilities.
   
• The Program Manager is responsible for overseeing the sailing camp program, the sailing camp staff, including the planning and implementation of staff orientation. What skills, experience or educational background do you have that will lend to these responsibilities?
   
• As Program Manager how would you deal with instructor discipline problems, such as arriving late or not being prepared to teach? What policy would you put in place with regard to staff discipline problems? Finally how would you foster a team environment amongst the instructors?
   
• How would you prevent staff burnout? Should a camp staff become burnt-out, how would you handle it?
   
• Parents of camper come to you to say that their child is not having a good time at camp and does not want to come back the second week. What would be your approach to handling this complaint?
   
• You are not present when the sailing instructors leave for the day, but you walk into the clubhouse and notice camper clothing and tuck shop garbage on the floor in one section, the kitchen has dirty dishes in the sink from camp activities, and adult/ family members are arriving and will be using the club facilities for the evening. What will you do?
   

Other

• The club is run by a volunteer Board of Directors and volunteer committees. Member volunteers plan activities, participate in boat repair and organize general facilities repair. What do you see as important skills and attributes for someone working in a volunteer-driven environment?
   
• How would the GRYC benefit by having you as an employee?
   
• Do you have any questions or anything else you would like to add?

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