Description

Head 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:   Head Counselor

             Classification:   Exempt (Seasonal)

                  Reports to:   The Head counselor is a very important member the Camp Staff, and has to work with the group counselors.  S/he reports to the Camp Director or h/her designee.

               Qualifications:  Lead and supervise a group of counselors throughout their daily activities, ensuring their safety, well-being, and engagement in camp programs. Serve as a positive role model and mentor for campers,

                     Salary:         $900 - $1100 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 all of the group counselors, sometimes joining them with their small group of campers, and their counselors.  S/he will supervise the counselors and make certain all are present for the day.   Give feedback to the specialists if the programs aren’t working for any specific group.    

Essential Job Functions

1.     Keep track of your counselors, and know their groups’ schedules.  Remind regularly to keep campers well hydrated. 

2.     Make adjustments if any counselor is absent.

­  Help counselors meet camper needs and camp goals

­  Meet with your counselors to understand group goals for the week.

­  Meet with your counselors daily to make sure you know of any home issues that may affect the day at camp.

3.     Participate in all trainings of the camp and the group staff

­  Participate in all aspects of staff training.

­  Be responsible in fulfilling your scheduled responsibilities.

­  Participate in any in service trainings. 

4.     Conduct Daily Health and Safety Inspections.  (Perhaps with camp Nurse).

­  Make certain camper living (or meeting) spaces are clean and tidy.

­  Make certain all bathrooms are cleaned on a daily basis.  

­  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 Program Director. 

­  Other duties as assigned 

5.     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 counselors 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, 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; 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 20 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 the ability to provide programs to campers when it is not possible to conduct the scheduled activity due to adverse weather conditions (i.e. electrical storms).   

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 20 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 the ability to provide programs to campers when it is not possible to conduct the scheduled activity due to adverse weather conditions (i.e. electrical storms).