Description
Group Counselor Job Description
The Justice Education Center’s mission is to improve the lives of children, youth, and adults through increasing community safety, reducing crime and violence, and providing educational and wellness opportunities for Connecticut’s children, youth, and families. In keeping with The Center’s mission, Camp Inspire’s goal is to provide children with the opportunity to engage in fun and educational activities surrounded by the wonders of nature year-round, while building self-esteem, forming new friendships, developing empathy for others, developing positive relationships with staff members, and learning mediative leadership skills.
Job Title: Counselor
Classification: Seasonal Employee
Reports to: The group counselor is a very important member of the Camp Staff, and has to work with a group in every area of camp. S/he reports to her/his
Head Counselor.
Qualifications: Camp Counselor is the primary caregiver at camp, tasked with developing positive, meaningful relationships with their Campers and fellow Staff Members. The counselor’s role is to deliver the camp experience to Campers, by supervising and participating in a variety of activities and programs and serve as a positive role model for campers.
Salary: $700 - $900 per week
Position Purpose
To serve as a member of the camp staff to further the mission of The Justice Education Center and Camp Inspire through daily interaction with a small group of campers. S/he will accompany her/his campers to all activities, and help with the deliverance of the planned activities. Give feedback to the specialists if the programs don’t work for your age group of campers.
Essential Job Functions
1. Keep track of your campers at all times. Making certain they have time to attend to toileting and are well hydrated.
Help specialists meet camper needs and camp goals
Meet with your campers to set individual goals for their week
Meet with your full camper group twice daily to make sure you know of any home issues that may affect their day at camp, and to make sure campers are gleaning the most they can from the provided programs
2. Participate in all trainings of the camp and the group staff
Participate in all aspects of staff training
Provide a safe and high-quality program consistent with ACA, and State Licensure requirements.
Be responsible in fulfilling your scheduled responsibilities
Participate in any in service trainings
3. Choose an area for your group to meet. “meeting space” and use it for regular group meetings.
Let the nurse know of any medical needs for your campers.
Help teach and monitor proper use of all equipment used in each area.
Help where assigned in the initial and end-of-season inventory, and storage of equipment for safety.
Submit orders for equipment and supplies when needed, to the Lodge Head
Survey your meeting space daily, and keep the areas free of hazards and debris
Other duties as assigned
4. Participate as a member of the camp staff in evening supervision, evening programs, special events, overnights, and other all-camp activities and camp functions
Work with your assigned group to actively participate in all camp activities
Participate in general staff meetings
Responsibilities of All Camp Staff
Follow all policies as outlined in the Staff Manual
Maintain positive working relationships with campers, parents, and other staff
Encourages physical and emotional growth and positive character development in all campers
Practices cultural humility, striving to actively learn about and be sensitive to all cultures
Helps to maintain the cleanliness of communal spaces
Care for and maintain any program equipment, supplies, and spaces used including program areas
Any observed risks or facilities in disrepair must be immediately reported to the Maintenance or Management Team.
Assist with other job duties outside the normal scope of your job description or contract to ensure that programs run smoothly and safely, or as deemed necessary by the Camp Director.
Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities, planning and leading those as assigned
Qualifications (Minimum qualifications and experience)
Must submit to and be cleared by a background check.
Must take mandated reporter training (available on line)
Must take sexual harassment awareness training (available on line).
Previous experience working with children.
Must be at least 18 years of age
Current certification in ARC first aid and CPR is expected. Certification for these will be offered by the camp prior to the season start.
Desire and ability to work with children outdoors. (Prior experience in camping preferred).
Physical Aspects of the Position
Ability to communicate and work with groups participating (age and skill levels) and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff.
Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques
Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity
Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers
Willingness to work in all weather conditions: Including helping specialists when severe
weather alters program plans
Requirements
Qualifications (Minimum qualifications and experience)
Must submit to and be cleared by a background check.
Must take mandated reporter training (available on line)
Must take sexual harassment awareness training (available on line).
Previous experience working with children.
Must be at least 18 years of age
Current certification in ARC first aid and CPR is expected. Certification for these will be offered by the camp prior to the season start.
Desire and ability to work with children outdoors. (Prior experience in camping preferred).
Physical Aspects of the Position
Ability to communicate and work with groups participating (age and skill levels) and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff.
Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques
Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity
Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers
Willingness to work in all weather conditions: Including helping specialists when severe
weather alters program plans
