Hamilton Area YMCA

POSITION PURPOSE

The Diverse Abilities Senior Camp Counselor is responsible for the activity planning and personnel to provide a positive camping experience for a group; planning and implementing programs and activities appropriate for a specific group; ensuring safety and well-being of campers; supervising campers and staff to ensure that camper and parent needs and expectations are met.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Read and be accountable for YMCA, state licensing standards, policies and procedures.
• Assist in the supervision and planning of camp activities; ensure all campers can participate in all activities, no matter varied abilities whether physical, or intellectual. Actively participate in activities to encourage participation.
• Interpret and maintain safety and health policies and procedures; review and understand your roles and responsibilities in emergency procedures
• Ensure appropriate behavior of campers and staff to avoid risk of accidents; maintain awareness of camper well-being
• Counselors should be able to identify, address, and redirect/correct inappropriate behavior
• Ensure a safe environment by adhering to policies and procedures when caring for injured campers; report all incidents.
• Serve as role model for campers by arriving to camp, meetings and activities at assigned time; displaying good sportsmanship; following YMCA rules and regulations.
• Assist in maintaining effective communication with parents/guardians regarding camper and camp activities.
• Participate in staff training, meetings and conferences as required.
• Ensure quality of camp by noting any problems, safety concerns, or equipment disrepair.
• Ensure camp and equipment cleanliness.
• Develop and implement an activity or program with campers. Plan at least one service project to increase camper awareness of environment, cultural diversity or within a prescribed theme.

ROLE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• At least 18 years old
• High school graduate or equivalent
• One year removed from high school orenrolled in a minimum of 2 years of child development coursework approved by state licensing requirements.
• Have experience working with children and at least six months experience working as a Y Camp Counselor or as a counselor in a comparable program.
• Enthusiasm, sense of humor, patience and experience working with children.
• Ability to deal effectively with inappropriate behavior and recognize hazard situations.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

All Hamilton Area YMCA staff are responsible for the following:

• Maintaining a clean, well-groomed appearance and keeping in compliance with the Association and Department Dress Code Policy.
• Exhibit strong leadership skills;possess a passion and commitment to member service and satisfaction,building and maintaining a culture of ensuring excellent Member Experience (MX).
• A commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.
  

  
  COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

• Maintainingthesafetyofallmembersandstaffbyidentifyingandcorrectingrisksituations, and ensuring incident-reporting procedures are followed.
   
• Ensuring the overall cleanliness of the facility.
  
  

COMMITMENT TO CHILD PROTECTION

• Ensure that children in the care of the Hamilton Area YMCA and participating programming are kept safe from harm.
• As a Mandated Reporter you are obligated to report ALL suspicions of abuse or neglect to the requisite state agency.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken word to impart oral information and to convey detailed, spoken instructions to staff, members, children, and volunteers accurately, quickly, and loudly. Abilityto perceive the nature of sounds by ear; ability to lift and carry 50-75 pounds; ability to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling. Ability to move about on foot quickly; ability to stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl. Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time. Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships so as to see objects where they actually are and clearly see at 20 inches or less and 20 feet or more.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Exposure to high levels of noise and various environmental conditions. 

Acquire and maintain the following certifications:

• CPR/AED/First Aid obtained through the American Red Cross (valid 2 years)
• Mandated Reporter Training (valid 5 years)
• CARI/CHRI
• Additional training and development specific to your role as reference in onboarding packet. 

OTHER

At the YMCA we value CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY in personal character and behavior andbelieve that they are essential to attaining our mission

OUR MISSION

The work of the Hamilton Area YMCA focuses on three specific areas of need for our community: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Working with a variety of partners across Central New Jersey, we provide essential programs and services that build strong, confident kids; healthy, active adults; and thriving communities.