Advocate Camp Counselor for children w/disabilities, JCC Sports Camp, Summer

Job Description

Job Description

Be a role model. Make camp possible for every child.

Do you believe every child deserves to be fully included at camp? JCC Greater Boston is looking for caring, patient, and enthusiastic Advocate Camp Counselors to join our Inclusion Team this summer.

Advocate Counselors are part of our camp’s Inclusion Team, working directly with campers with disabilities and individualized needs. Guided by ICPs (Individual Camper Plans) and supported by our Inclusion Team, Advocate Counselors partner with co-counselors to ensure that every camper is safe, supported, and fully included in their bunk and camp activities.

JCC Greater Boston offers free bus service for staff from Cambridge, Brookline, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Wayland, Framingham, Natick, Needham, Newton and Wellesley during the summer season.

What you will do each day:

Each morning, you’ll connect with your camper, making sure they feel welcomed and ready for the day. You’ll support them in joining their bunk for activities – whether that means going over the schedule with them, cheering them on during sports, modeling skills and providing hands-on support in arts & crafts, or being in the water with them at swim. Throughout the day, you’ll model patience, empathy, and creativity as you help campers navigate challenges and celebrate successes. You’ll work closely with co-counselors and our Inclusion Team to adapt supports as needed. At the end of the day, you’ll leave knowing you made camp possible for a child who might not otherwise be able to fully participate.

Why work with us?

At our camps, the best part of the day is simple: the kids. Our staff say their favorite moments are playing games, cheering campers on at swim, creating art together, and bonding over shared interests.

Staff describe camp as fun, dynamic, and inviting. Here, you’ll gain leadership skills, make lasting friendships, and create unforgettable experiences – for campers and yourself.

JCC Greater Boston is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston’s core values - Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish.

This is what our Camp Counselors say are the best parts of working at JCC Camps:

• Bonding with the campers
• The activities
• Free swim
• Leadership opportunities
• Making close friends with co-counselors

Primary responsibilities include, and are not limited to:

• Partner with co-counselors to build an inclusive group dynamic and implement accommodations from camper ICPs
• Advocate for camper strengths, needs, and abilities while encouraging independence and participation
• Support campers in fully engaging with bunk life and activities (arts, sports, swimming, special events)
• Ensure the safety and well-being of campers during structured and unstructured times
• Participate in and support campers during swim times (must be able to access the pool and swim with campers)
• Communicate regularly with co-counselors and leadership to ensure consistency of support
• Model patience, empathy, and positive behavior for campers and peers

Standard staff expectations include and are not limited to:

• Actively create a welcoming dynamic that contributes to an environment where each individual is valued and respected
• Actively participate as an essential team member
• Support JCC Greater Boston’s mission, vision, and values of belonging, joyfulness, collaboration, and transformation, including through role modeling
• Enthusiastically representing the organization, model excellence and achievement
• Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

Skills you gain as a camp counselor:

• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to "think on your feet"
• Social/emotional knowledge
• Problem-solving techniques
• Project management skills
• Leadership skills
• Collaboration experience
• Flexibility

This is a great chance to join JCC Greater Boston's respected and valued, people-orientated workplace of diverse community services providers, which is rapidly growing! 

JOB DETAILS: This is an hourly position with a daily schedule of 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday. Offering great perks, including JCC Health & Fitness center access, a supportive, vibrant in-person work environment, and a competitive starting pay rate of $15-$17 per hour. The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.

This 8 week camp program is June 21 - August 20, including staff training. While we prefer candidates who are available all summer, we recognize that candidates may have other obligations and are happy to work with your schedule.

About JCC Greater Boston

Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, diverse community by nurturing meaningful, lasting relationships. Through our network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs, health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes, JCC Greater Boston provides highly valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends.

JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where their talents and contributions are appreciated. In our recent employee survey, staff rated their direct management and organizational alignment experiences close to 90% positive. If you want to upgrade your working experience and have a better work-life balance, we encourage you to explore becoming part of the JCC team!

The JCC is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston's core values: Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation, which we hope resonate with all.

To learn more about what makes JCC Greater Boston a wonderful place to work, please visit our careers page at

JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Eligible for work permit 

• 1+ season (summer camp, semester, babysitting, coaching, other) experience working with children

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC’s discretion to meet minimum criteria.

Skills and Abilities:

• Enjoy working with children and a strong desire to make a difference every day 
• Safety awareness and ability to communicate any issues and concerns with supervisors
• Exhibits leadership skills, including teamwork, patience, flexibility, and diplomacy 
• Demonstrates positive attitude at all times
• Commitment to build strong relationships with campers, co-workers, and camp leadership  
• Self-starter who takes the initiative
• Ability to manage situations effectively and diplomatically and ask for help, guidance, or clarification when needed
• Must be able to work well with others, building/sustaining collaborative solid relationships
  

Physical Requirements:  

• Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities.
• Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30-40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children’s backpacks, etc.
• Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly. 
• Ability to swim and supervise children in pool (able to stand in pool)
  

ADA Statement: Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Benefits

In addition to offering rewarding work and great career opportunities within our mission-driven, values-driven, and family-centric environment , JCC Greater Boston proudly offers employees the generous benefits listed below.

JCCGB Perks! Each seasonal employee is eligible for access to JCC Greater Boston's top class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton! Seasonal access to the JCC Fitness Center includes:

• Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal-Sidman JCC during active seasonal employment
• Free or discounted enrollment for camp programs may be available for camp employees’ children based on availability.

Benefits are subject to review and change by the Organization, and plan documents are the primary determinant.
A Great Place to Work! JCC Greater Boston is consciously evolving as a great place to work! In our recent 2023 employee engagement survey, at least 88% of our staff gave us top ratings on:

• Supportive colleagues
• Team camaraderie
• How their managers treat them
• Individual autonomy
• Knowing what their work contributes to and how it impacts others
• Pride in working for the JCC
• Program and service quality
• Holding ourselves accountable    

Our staff and leadership bring experience, excellence, and commitment to everything we offer and we are dedicated to a culture where all our employees may thrive. Our culture is built on our values, driven by our mission, and nurtured through the expert contributions of our professionals.