Camp Instructors Animation, 2026 Summer Camps

Reports to: Director of Education

About Us:

The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) gathers audiences, students and filmmakers to experience the joy of film, and to learn about the craft, ourselves, and each other. As a nonprofit cultural and educational institution located in Pleasantville, NY, the JBFC is dedicated to presenting the best of independent narrative, documentary, and world cinema, promoting visual literacy, and making film a vibrant part of the community. Learn more about the organization at burnsfilmcenter.org. 

Position Objectives:

The Jacob Burns Film Center is seeking a Stop-Motion Animation Camp Instructor to join our team of educators at its Media Arts Lab Summer Camps. The Camp Instructor is responsible for leading a group of 9-10 students through the animation and filmmaking process, and facilitates the creative process with the help of two Camp Counselors. Each group of animation campers produces three short stop-motion animations (1-2 minutes each). All creations have a strong emphasis on storytelling, peer feedback, and collaboration. The Camp Instructor creates and maintains a safe, fun, collaborative, and empathetic environment.

The Camp Instructor manages two Camp Counselors, who will assist the group in supportive roles, by clearly communicating the daily plan, ensuring learning goals and timelines are understood and met, and setting a positive example for camp leadership. The completion of a First Aid/CPR course and some additional training hours will be required prior to the start of Camps and will be compensated.

For more information about our summer camps, please explore our Filmmaking Camp and Animation Camp pages.

Responsibilities:

• Create (with support from the Director of Education) weekly curriculum to teach 4^th-12^th grade students basic Filmmaking or Stop-Motion Animation
• Guide and lead creative media-making projects (storyboarding, filming/animating, editing), and ensure delivery of finished short films or animations by the end of the week
• Host your group’s portion of a Friends and Family Screening at the end of each week at our theater
• Coordinate class equipment, space, and material needs in collaboration with the Camp Coordinator and the Equipment Manager
• Oversee the setting up and breaking down of classroom studios by Camp Counselors
• Support campers’ creative use of equipment and software
• Communicate daily with the Camp Coordinator, specifically regarding camper needs and accommodations
• Manage two Camp Counselors as they support class activities, help identify and attain learning goals, and participate in the production of final group projects
• Establish and maintain a safe, healthy, and fun environment for campers

Required Qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Experience teaching children and young adults
• Demonstrated experience in Filmmaking or Stop-Motion Animation production
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Experience working as part of a creative team toward project-based goals

Applicants Should Demonstrate the Following:

• Leadership and initiative in guiding students through the creative process, with the ability to meet weekly camper project deadlines
• Love of film and arts education
• Flexibility to lead and work as a member of a creative team
• Experience with Adobe Suite (Adobe Premiere) or Dragonframe Animation Software (or similar professional stop-motion software)
• Experience with professional filmmaking and stop-motion animation equipment
• Adeptness at working with different learning styles and personalities
• Proficiency at multitasking and spur-of-the-moment problem-solving
• Outgoing and energetic personality

Ideal Applicants Would Have:

• Mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud and/or Dragonframe Animation Software (or equivalent)
• Deep technical knowledge of cameras, related equipment, computers, and the technical aspects of a production workflow
• Experience working in a day camp or full-day education setting
• Experience working in a managerial role in a small-team setting
• A passion for creating safe, fun, and educational environments
• Love of teaching, film, and animation!

Terms:

Camp Sessions (six weeks in total):
July 6–17, 2026
July 20–30, 2026
August 10–21, 2026

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–3:30pm, 30-minute unpaid lunch break, 32.5 hours a week

Compensation: $27.00–$30.00/Hour

Orientation: Orientation will take place at the JBFC Media Arts Lab and over Zoom, is required, and will include training in:

• Equipment and Software
• General Camp Information and Structure
• First Aid/CPR

First Aid/CPR Training is mandatory for all camp staff and will be held in the months leading up to camp. Please note that there will be an online portion of the course that needs to be completed before this date.

Staff will be compensated for this training time.

Application Instructions:

Please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@burnsfilmcenter.org with “Camp Instructor 26” in the subject line of your email. No phone calls, please.

Application Deadline: 

Applications are due by Sunday, April 12, 2026. Candidates who are being considered will be contacted and requested to have a follow-up interview. Notification and schedule confirmation by early May.

Unsure if you should apply?  Research indicates that some candidates are less likely to apply if they do not meet 100 percent of the listed qualifications.  If this is you, and you believe you would excel in this position, we strongly encourage you to submit your application.  We are actively recruiting candidates with diverse work experiences, backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, and abilities. We believe all work experience has value, and are fully considering all applicants with a strong desire to help us fulfill our mission, including candidates who are making career-focus shifts or returning from employment gaps.  Please use your cover letter as an opportunity to express your interest in JBFC’s mission and programs, and how you envision yourself contributing as a member of our team.

Our organization participates in the E-Verify Program.

The Jacob Burns Film Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in hiring and employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, sex, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic predisposition and/or carrier status, disability, age, religion, marital status, national origin or citizenship status, veteran status, or any other classification as protected by law.  We hire and promote individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job.  We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for positions to be filled.  Please inform the JBFC if you need any assistance with the instructions provided to participate in our application process.  Questions and concerns may be directed to jobs@burnsfilmcenter.org.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and responsibilities that are required of this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned.