Summer Camp Behavioral Intervention Specialist - New York City

TURN YOUR SUMMER INTO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY – BECOME A BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION SPECIALIST WITH KIDS IN THE GAME!

Support Staff. Advocate for Campers. Lead Meaningful Change.

Kids in the Game provides unforgettable day camp experiences for hundreds of New York children across Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Westchester, and Jersey City. When you join the Kids in the Game summer camp leadership cohort, you'll become part of a dynamic team of Camp Directors, Assistant Directors, Division Leaders, and 275+ coaches who work together to create exceptional summer experiences for campers and families.

THE KIDS IN THE GAME SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE

Kids in the Game camps are where sports, creativity, and community come together to shape confident, compassionate, and connected kids. Every summer, our camps across New York City, Westchester, and Jersey City bring together diverse groups of children to explore new sports, build friendships, develop positive social skills, and learn how to be part of a team. Our camps offer kids a uniquely designed blend of sports and games, arts and crafts, STEM enrichment, field trips, swim activities, theme weeks, and all-camp special events to make every week the highlight of a child's summer.

Each day is fueled by energy, laughter, and belonging. Our team of camp leaders, specialists, and counselors create an environment where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to try something new. We believe camp is more than a summer activity — it's a place where kids discover who they are and who they can become.

As a Certified B Corporation, we're also on a mission to positively impact the lives of all of our stakeholders—campers, families, staff, community members, and our partners. We're looking for Behavioral Intervention Specialists who want to support positive youth development, strengthen social-emotional learning, empower camp staff, create inclusive communities, and help ensure every camper has the opportunity to succeed.

Your Leadership Can Change the Game — Join Kids in the Game This Summer.

BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION SPECIALIST ROLE & KEY TASKS

As a Behavioral Intervention Specialist, you will report to the Camps Supervisor and partner closely with Camp Directors, Assistant Directors, Division Leaders, and camp staff to support the behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health needs of campers across multiple camp locations.

This role is rooted in youth development, relationship-building, coaching, and problem-solving. You will serve as a trusted resource for campers, staff, and families while helping leadership teams create safe, structured, and inclusive camp environments where every child can thrive.

You will provide direct camper support, coach staff on behavior management strategies, lead trainings, assist with family communications, and collaborate with camp leadership to proactively address behavioral challenges before they become larger concerns.

We currently have 12 New York-based camp locations and 1 Jersey City camp location. The sites and addresses are:

Westchester & The Bronx

• Westchester-Crestwood – 465 Westchester Ave, Tuckahoe, NY 10707
• Riverdale – 3120 Corlear Ave, Bronx, NY 10463

Manhattan

• Inwood – 532 W 215th St, New York, NY 10034
• Upper West Side – 147 W 70th St, New York, NY 10023
• West Village – 272 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014
• Chelsea – 259 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001
• Upper East Side (Carnegie Hill) – 980 Park Ave, New York, NY 10028
• Upper East Side (Lenox Hill) – 132 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075
• East Village – 215 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003

Brooklyn

• Park Slope – 588 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
• Greenpoint – 100 Dobbin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
• Fort Greene – 39 Adelphi St, Brooklyn, NY 11205

New Jersey

• Jersey City – Location TBD

The Behavioral Intervention Specialist will support multiple camp locations throughout the summer and must be comfortable traveling between sites using public transportation or personal transportation.

AMBASSADORSHIP, CORE VALUES & CAMP CULTURE

• Positivity

• As a Behavioral Intervention Specialist, you bring calm, encouraging, and solutions-oriented energy to every interaction. You help campers and staff navigate challenges while reinforcing growth, resilience, confidence, and positive decision-making. Your presence helps create a camp culture where children and staff feel supported, valued, and capable of success.

• Empathy

• You support campers' social-emotional and behavioral needs with patience, understanding, and active listening. You help staff respond to challenging situations using developmentally appropriate and inclusive practices while ensuring campers feel heard, respected, and understood.

• Commitment

• You show up prepared, reliable, and engaged each day. You follow through on responsibilities, maintain consistent communication, and ensure behavioral support systems are implemented effectively across camp locations.

• Ambition

• You proactively identify trends, solve challenges, and strengthen behavioral support practices across camp. You seek opportunities to improve systems, support staff growth, and enhance the overall camper experience.

• Inclusivity

• You promote a camp environment where every camper feels safe, respected, and supported. You help staff create welcoming spaces where all campers can fully participate regardless of background, identity, ability, or experience.

BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT & CAMP PROGRAM DELIVERY

• Provide on-site and on-call behavioral support across camp locations
• Conduct camper observations, identify behavioral trends, and proactively support challenges
• Design and implement behavior support strategies aligned with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
• Work individually with campers to reinforce positive decision-making and social-emotional growth
• Develop individualized behavior support plans when necessary
• Provide direct support during behavioral incidents and conflict resolution situations
• Collaborate with camp leadership teams to proactively plan for camper success
• Serve as a key thought partner in addressing complex camper situations and behavioral concerns across camp sites
• Support implementation of camp programming by helping staff effectively engage and manage campers
• Participate in camp-wide events, transitions, special activities, field trips, and high-impact moments where behavioral support may be needed

STAFF SUPPORT, COACHING & LEADERSHIP COLLABORATION

• Act as a trusted coach and resource for camp staff
• Provide real-time guidance on behavior management and camper support strategies
• Support Camp Directors and Assistant Directors in responding to behavioral concerns and incidents
• Lead scenario-based trainings focused on behavior management, mental health awareness, conflict resolution, and stress management
• Collaborate with leadership teams to ensure consistent implementation of behavior expectations
• Support training and onboarding efforts for new and replacement staff throughout the summer
• Model best practices in youth development, conflict resolution, and behavioral support for all camp staff
• Partner with leadership teams to strengthen staff confidence and effectiveness

FAMILY COMMUNICATION & CAMPER ADVOCACY

• Assist Camp Directors with family communications related to behavioral and social-emotional concerns
• Participate in family meetings when appropriate
• Advocate for camper needs while maintaining a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach
• Help ensure support plans are clearly communicated across staff and leadership teams
• Build trusting relationships with families through professional and empathetic communication

DOCUMENTATION, REPORTING & ORGANIZATION

• Maintain accurate incident reports, behavior plans, and behavioral support documentation
• Complete weekly reports and behavioral tracking requirements
• Ensure all records remain organized and compliant with camp and Department of Health requirements
• Communicate behavioral trends and camper support needs to leadership teams
• Assist with maintaining confidential and professional documentation systems

ENGAGEMENT & RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

• Build meaningful relationships with campers, staff, and families
• Foster a welcoming environment where campers feel safe, supported, and encouraged
• Serve as a positive role model who reinforces empathy, respect, and community values
• Use strength-based language and positive reinforcement to support camper growth and confidence
• Maintain a visible and approachable presence across all camp communities

SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT

• Help ensure a safe, structured, and supportive camp environment
• Respond appropriately to behavioral incidents, conflicts, and safety concerns
• Support camp leadership in implementing emergency procedures when needed
• Monitor behavioral trends that may impact camper or staff safety
• Communicate all behavioral and safety concerns to camp leadership
• Support both physical and emotional safety throughout camp operations

TEAM COLLABORATION & COMMUNICATION

• Work closely with Camp Directors, Assistant Directors, Division Leaders, counselors, and specialists
• Communicate clearly and consistently regarding camper needs, behavioral trends, and support plans
• Attend all required trainings, leadership meetings, and check-ins
• Contribute to a team culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Support camp-wide initiatives, events, and leadership priorities throughout the season

SEASONAL WORK EXPECTATIONS & SUMMER SCHEDULE

Pre-Summer Work Expectations & Schedule

• Approximately 8–15 hours per week during May and June
• Required participation in leadership meetings, trainings, and camp planning sessions
• Development of behavioral support resources and training materials
• Building relationships with Camp Directors and camp leadership teams
• Support family communication planning and behavioral systems
• Participate in recruitment events and staff trainings
• Lead or support trainings focused on:
• Behavior management
• Conflict resolution
• Social-emotional support strategies
• Mental health awareness

Required Attendance At:

• Leadership Kickoff
• All Staff Meet & Greet
• Behavioral Intervention Specialist Workshops
• Core Training Workshops
• On-Site Camp Trainings
• CPR/First Aid/AED Training (if needed)

Summer Camp Schedule

• Dates: Late June through August 2026
• Hours: Monday–Friday, approximately 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
• Weekly Hours: 40–45 hours per week
• Work Environment: Full-time, in-person across multiple camp locations
• 3–4 days each week conducting site visits and providing on-site support
• 1 day dedicated to documentation, planning, and reporting
• On-call support during camp operating hours
• Camp Size: Varies by location from approximately 30–150+ campers and 10–40+ staff members

SEASONAL COMPENSATION STRUCTURE

This is a seasonal position based in New York City. Behavioral Intervention Specialists must be available to participate in required pre-summer trainings and leadership meetings and work full-time throughout the summer camp season.

Pre-Summer Compensation - $575

• June stipend: $200
• Pre-Summer Training Bonus: $375
• $300 for virtual and in-person trainings
• $75 for Camp Field Day participation

Training attendance is mandatory and compensation is based on successful completion of required trainings.

Summer Compensation

• Biweekly salary payments from July through August 2026
• Weekly salary range of $900 to $1,000 per week
• Total summer compensation range of $7,000 to $9,000
• Does not include the pre-summer stipend and training bonus
• Compensation is based on prior years of relevant experience working with youth, behavioral support programs, counseling, social work, education, or related fields
• Based on 8 to 9 weeks of summer camp operations
• If you work fewer camp weeks, your total summer compensation will be reduced proportionally
• Payroll is processed on a biweekly schedule throughout the summer season

Requirements

BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION SPECIALIST QUALIFICATIONS

Our ideal Behavioral Intervention Specialist candidate:

• Is passionate about youth development and social-emotional learning
• Has experience supporting children in educational, recreational, counseling, therapeutic, or behavioral settings
• Has strong conflict resolution and relationship-building skills
• Can build positive relationships with campers, families, and staff
• Demonstrates excellent communication and organizational skills
• Has experience with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) or similar approaches
• Is currently pursuing or has completed a Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Clinical Psychology, School Psychology, or a related field (preferred)
• Possesses 2+ years of experience providing behavioral or mental health support services to youth (preferred)
• Can pass required background checks and provide medical clearance
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certification preferred (or willingness to obtain)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & ACTIVE CAMP EXPECTATIONS

At Kids in the Game, our leaders are active, engaged, and present with campers and staff throughout the camp day. The physical requirements below reflect the essential functions of this role and the dynamic environments in which our camps operate.

Active supervision and physical requirements include:

1. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time throughout camp locations.
2. Ability to travel between camp sites using public transportation or personal transportation.
3. Ability to walk between activity areas, parks, playgrounds, and field trip locations while supervising campers.
4. Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, and reach to engage with campers and support activities.
5. Ability to climb stairs in school buildings and community facilities.
6. Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds of supplies and equipment.
7. Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
8. Ability to maintain visual and auditory awareness to effectively supervise and support campers and staff.

WHY WORK WITH KIDS IN THE GAME

At Kids in the Game, you can expect to be welcomed into an engaging and spirited environment that emphasizes the importance of teamwork, open communication, and collaboration. We are proud to foster an inclusive environment where our team members feel respected by and connected to one another. We value the unique experiences, perspectives, and passions of our employees, and we look forward to adding dynamic personalities to our team.

We are AMBITIOUS, POSITIVE, COMMITTED, INCLUSIVE, and EMPATHETIC.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment for all of our employees. We recruit candidates from across the city, state, and country, from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. We have developed partnerships with organizations that allow us to target our hiring practices to include chronically discriminated against or low-income groups and improve access to high-quality employment opportunities.

Support campers. Empower staff. Create meaningful change. Join Kids in the Game this summer.

Benefits

Additional Summer Staff Benefits

Attendance Bonus

• Staff members who miss no more than one scheduled day of camp may be eligible for a $100 attendance bonus paid in their final summer paycheck
• Staff who end employment prior to the completion of their contract are not eligible for the attendance bonus

Early Sign-On Gear

• Staff who complete all onboarding requirements and paperwork by designated deadlines will receive exclusive Kids in the Game camp gear

Summer Camp Family Discount

• Eligible employees may enroll qualifying family members in Kids in the Game camps at discounted rates based on years of service