Careers & Internships

Babs Siperstein was a trailblazer for equality, and our movement wouldn’t be where we are today without her courage and commitment. In 2019, Babs Siperstein passed away at 76 years old–keeping her legacy alive Garden State Equality established the Babs Siperstein Fellowship with seed funding from Babs’ own Gender Rights Advocacy of New Jersey organization.

Babs came out in 2000 and immediately became an activist for LGBTQ equality in New Jersey, serving as an original board member for Garden State Equality. Most notably, over the course of her advocacy in New Jersey, Babs helped advocate for marriage equality, transgender inclusive nondiscrinimation protections, and the Babs Siperstein Law.

Babs was the first openly transgender member of the Democratic National Committee, where she was appointed by then-chairman Tim Kaine. She was appointed to the Democratic National Committee’s Executive Committee in 2011, where she served until October 2017. 

This fellowship opportunity is for young trans adults, looking to continue Babs’ legacy through advocacy, and advancing policy both at the local, state, and national level. Fellows will work alongside Garden State Equality for a fall, spring, or summer term. They will be compensated with a stipend and are eligible to receive credit with permission from the school.

If you are interested in becoming a Babs Siperstein Fellow, please apply during the term before the term you would like to start. Please be prepared to submit a resume and reason for applying.

Garden State Equality lifts up the diverse voices of LGBTQ+ communities through education and advocacy to advance the movement for equality in New Jersey and nationally. We work tirelessly to ensure the communities we serve experience lived equality. Garden State Equality is the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in New Jersey, with over 150,000 members. Established in 2004, we are now one of the most successful statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organizations in the nation. Our services include advocacy, policy work, and trainings. We work to address safe environments for youth, improvement of health services that meet LGBTQ+ community needs, and respectful treatment of seniors. Beyond that, Garden State Equality supports New Jersey’s activist community by bringing an LGBTQ+ lens to the shared struggle for justice. All our current work is informed by racial, economic, and disability justice concerns. We envision a vibrant and diverse Garden State with full equality in the law and LGBTQ+ residents of all backgrounds experiencing equality in their lives.

A summer camp Advisor works under the supervision of the Camp Director and Coordinator, and will directly be responsible for overseeing all groups of participants aged 14-17, as well as camp counselors. A camp advisor is responsible for the ongoing support and supervision of the groups throughout the day, as well as facilitating anywhere from one to three workshops and programming activities per day. In addition to continual supervision of camp counselors and students, Advisors will work with the Camp Director and Coordinator to review all schedules, workshops, and activities, and will take lead on completing end of day checkout and reflections. Camp will run from August 17th, 2024 through August 23rd, 2024.

Our student delegates will be participating in a series of workshops focused on, but not limited to, racism, gender identity and sexual orientation, power and privilege, body positivity and self love, religion/faith, acceptance, and inclusion. Through these workshops, students will create, facilitate, and experience collaborative, student-led activities that will not only be fun, but will foster deep connections for all of our participants from different parts of the state. In addition to participating in leadership work, students will have the chance to participate in a plethora of fun camp activities like rock climbing, canoeing, archery, swimming, talent show night and so much more. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain a professional, supportive, compassionate and inclusive demeanor throughout the program.
  • This will include supporting students through difficult conversations, uplifting individuals after emotionally heavy content, and encouraging and leading positive and affirming dialogue.
• Mentor the delegates throughout the program, ensuring that participants remain engaged, focused, secure, and safe every day.
• Supervise and support camp counselors throughout the duration of the camp program.
• Supervise during all meal times and outside of programming hours while in their cabins.
• Ability to work long days, sometimes outside in the heat, while maintaining a positive attitude.

• Remain actively engaged while facilitating workshops and activities to provide a quality experience for all involved in the program.
• Use social emotional learning techniques to facilitate wellness programming, and guiding students through a range of emotions throughout the week. 
• Aid in analyzing the flow of each day and work with the Director and Coordinator.
• Help maintain cleanliness in all spaces, both inside and outside.
• Create a positive and nurturing environment that promotes social, emotional, and physical well-being.
• Respond to delegates’ needs, and actively communicate with camp leadership as necessary.
• Assist camp director and coordinator with any day to day operational needs as they arise.
• Attend all trainings, both virtually and in person, prior to the start of camp.
• Uphold, model, and amplify the mission of Garden State Equality.
• A formal evaluation will be conducted at the conclusion of the camp session.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/EXPERIENCE:

• Prior experience working in a leadership role with children/teenagers, preferably in a camp like setting.
• Strong facilitation and group leadership skills and prior experience running workshops for youth.
• Experience leading and navigating difficult conversations with youth.
• Strong knowledge of mindfulness practices and techniques.
• A familiarity with working with diverse populations, with an emphasis on community building, collaboration, and inclusive practices.
• The ability to quickly familiarize yourself with programming materials and facilitate discussions with a group of up to 35.
• The ability to simultaneously be creative, flexible, to take initiative, and problem solve on the fly.
• First Aid, CPR, and AED certification are a plus.
• Minimum of 21 years of age.
• Must be able to lift, push, and pull up to 30 pounds, as well as be on your feet for extended periods of time participating in activities ranging from hiking, swimming, canoeing, meditation, etc. 
• Must be able to pass a government background check and reference checks.

PAYMENT/ROOM & BOARD: 

• All camp staff will be paid a competitive flat rate for a 10 day commitment. This includes 6 days of camp and 4 additional days of training. Training days may not be full days.
• Staff will be provided lodging for the duration of the camp program.
• Staff will be provided with all meals and snacks for the duration of the program.
• Staff will receive daily breaks provided throughout the session. 
• Staff will receive payment after the duration of the summer camp program.

TO APPLY: 

Send cover letter & resume by email to: 

Natalie Hernandez, Camp Coordinator

Email: [email protected]

Be sure to specify “Summer Camp Advisor” in your cover letter. No phone calls or visits, please. Qualified candidates will be contacted to set up a virtual interview with our leadership team.

Garden State Equality lifts up the diverse voices of LGBTQ+ communities through education and advocacy to advance the movement for equality in New Jersey and nationally. We work tirelessly to ensure the communities we serve experience lived equality. Garden State Equality is the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in New Jersey, with over 150,000 members. Established in 2004, we are now one of the most successful statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organizations in the nation. Our services include advocacy, policy work, and trainings. We work to address safe environments for youth, improvement of health services that meet LGBTQ+ community needs, and respectful treatment of seniors. Beyond that, Garden State Equality supports New Jersey’s activist community by bringing an LGBTQ+ lens to the shared struggle for justice. All our current work is informed by racial, economic, and disability justice concerns. We envision a vibrant and diverse Garden State with full equality in the law and LGBTQ+ residents of all backgrounds experiencing equality in their lives.

A summer camp counselor works under the supervision of the Camp Director, Coordinator, and Advisors, and will directly be responsible for a group of participants aged 14-17. A camp counselor is responsible for the ongoing support and supervision of their group throughout the day. In addition to continual supervision, this camp opportunity offers a unique experience for counselors to regularly be engaged in all aspects of the camp day, including but limited to facilitating activities, leading debrief discussions, supporting participants through challenging situations, and being an overall support system for the duration of programming. Camp will run from August 17th, 2024 through August 23rd, 2024.

Our student delegates will be participating in a series of workshops focused on, but not limited to, racism, gender identity and sexual orientation, power and privilege, body positivity and self love, religion/faith, acceptance, and inclusion. Through these workshops, students will create, facilitate, and experience collaborative, student-led activities that will not only be fun, but will foster deep connections for all of our participants from different parts of the state. In addition to participating in leadership work, students will have the chance to participate in a plethora of fun camp activities like rock climbing, canoeing, archery, swimming, talent show night and so much more. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain a professional, supportive, compassionate, and inclusive demeanor throughout the program.
  • This will include supporting students through difficult conversations, uplifting individuals after emotionally heavy content, and encouraging and leading positive and affirming dialogue.
• Supervise and keep track of delegates throughout the program, ensuring that participants remain engaged, focused, secure, and safe every day.
• Supervise delegates during all meal times and outside of programming hours while in their cabins.
• Ability to work long days, sometimes outside in the heat, while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Remain actively engaged with all delegates and fellow counselors, advisors, and leadership team members to provide a quality experience for all involved in the program.
• Lead delegates in small group discussions, supporting daily programs and workshops, participate in camp activities, and create activities for their groups.
• Help maintain cleanliness in all spaces, both inside and outside.
• Create a positive and nurturing environment that promotes social, emotional, and physical well-being.
• Respond to delegates’ needs, and actively communicate with camp leadership as necessary.
• Assist camp director with any day to day operational needs as they arise.
• Attend all trainings, both virtually and in person, prior to the start of camp.
• Uphold, model, and amplify the mission of Garden State Equality.
• A formal evaluation will be conducted at the conclusion of the camp session.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/EXPERIENCE:

• Prior experience working with children/teenagers, preferably in a camp like setting.
• Strong facilitation and group leadership skills as the counselor may be responsible for facilitating workshops and leading debriefing sessions.
• A familiarity with working with diverse populations, with an emphasis on community building, collaboration, and inclusive practices.
• Basic understanding of youth development.
• The ability to quickly familiarize yourself with programming materials and facilitate discussions with a group of up to 15.
• The ability to simultaneously be creative, flexible, to take initiative, and problem solve on the fly.
• First Aid, CPR, and AED certification are a plus.
• Minimum of 18 years of age, preferably 20+.
• Must be able to lift, push, and pull up to 30 pounds, as well as be on your feet for extended periods of time participating in activities ranging from hiking, swimming, canoeing, meditation, etc. 
• Must be able to pass a government background check and reference checks.

PAYMENT/ROOM & BOARD: 

• All camp staff will be paid a competitive flat rate for a 10 day commitment. This includes 6 days of camp and 4 additional days of training. Training days may not be full days.
• Staff will be provided lodging for the duration of the camp program.
• Staff will be provided with all meals and snacks for the duration of the program.
• Staff will receive daily breaks provided throughout the session. 
• Staff will receive payment after the duration of the summer camp program.

TO APPLY: 

Send cover letter & resume by email to: 

Natalie Hernandez, Camp Coordinator

Email: [email protected]Be sure to specify “Summer Camp Advisor” in your cover letter. No phone calls or visits, please. Qualified candidates will be contacted to set up a virtual interview with our leadership team.