Senior Camp Counselor

Camp Soar Franklin Senior Camp Counselor

An exciting opportunity to join the team of a progressive YMCA located in vibrant Somerset County, New Jersey. The YMCA is one of the nation's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. With a 150-year-old history, Greater Somerset County YMCA (GSCY) is a pillar of the community and has seven locations across three counties, which collectively serve upwards of 30,000 individuals. GSCY has 100 full-time and 950 part-time employees along with operating revenues to $22+ million.

The Y empowers everyone—no matter who they are or where they are from. To fulfill our purpose of strengthening community for all, GSCY is committed to being an inclusive organization and leveraging our collective impact to address social inequities.

Position Summary

Camp SOAR is seeking a Senior Camp Counselor to support the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Provides direct supervision of a group of children in a seasonal day camp. Creates positive, nurturing relationships with children, while building cooperative relationships with parents/caregivers. Promotes and supports the potential of all youth in programs and facilitates peer-to-peer connections as part of the overall camp experience.

Essential Functions:

• Keeps campers focused and engaged in camp activities.
• Assists Specialist during activity periods.
• Consistently greets campers with a smile and treats them with enthusiasm.
• Develops positive relationships with member families and learns why they come to our Y.
• Learns camper's names. Responds to campers needs.
• Assists Specialists and all camp staff in carrying out themes, special events, trips, and all camp activities.
• Encourages camper's youth development progress.
• Helps group maintain camp cleanliness.
• Works cooperatively with all camp staff while planning all camp activities.
• Performs the above responsibilities in an enthusiastic and committed manner. Does more than the minimum for campers. Treats them as special. Treats campers and fellow staff members with respect.
• Uses redirection to appropriate activities when needed and uses positive reinforcement to commend good choices.
• Teaches and instills the Four Core Values of the YMCA in all camp activities: Caring, Respect, Honesty, & Responsibility.
• Acts as requested by the supervisor.

Safety:

• Attends regular staff meetings scheduled by supervisor.
• Must attend and complete all required trainings.
• At all times upholds camp safety standards. Maintains constant face counts. Understands and practices risk management and disaster policies and procedures.
• Helps maintain group control and facilitates lunch time activities.
• Follows all Association Aquatics Policy Guidelines.
• Takes on designated assignments for aquatic activities. Helps expedite arrival and departure from the pool (i.e. dressing rooms, etc.). Follows all YMCA, ACA, and NJ Licensing standards and procedures to ensure the safest and best quality camp and to help maintain ACA accreditation.
• Secures and submits all accident reports.
• Reports all immediate concerns to Camp Director or nearest supervisor.
• Follows supervision of bus counselors and helps to ensure safety, expedient procedures and fun activities on the bus. Leads bus songs, stories and games.

Other Duties:

• Always maintains a professional demeanor, as you are a representative of the YMCA.
• Wears Camp T-shirt daily.
• Maintains positive attitude, responsibility and self-motivation. Is punctual and reliable.
• Creates a positive and nurturing learning environment to instill youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
• Upholds GSCY's More Quality At The Y principles at all times.

Qualifications:

• High school student or equivalent.
• Previous experience working with children preferably in a day camp setting, preferably as a CIT.
• Interest preferred in one or more of the following areas: outdoor living, archery, boating, camping, songs/music, skits, sports, aquatics, recreational games, etc.
• At least 18 years of age.
• CPR, First Aid, AED certifications and Child Abuse Prevention training within 30 days of hire date.
• Previous experience with diverse populations preferred.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations (depending upon the programs).
• Ability to work in a variety of environments, specifically those subject to extreme heat and humidity.
• Physically and mentally able to respond to emergencies and administer CPR and First Aid.
• Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings.

YMCA Competencies (Leader):

• Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person's point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
• Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
• Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

Benefits of working part-time at GSCY include:

• FREE Individual Membership Access to any YMCA in the Nation.
• 10% Discount on most programming at Greater Somerset County YMCA.
• Access to one of the leading retirement programs "Y Retirement Fund" from the first day of employment.
• Opportunities for professional development, mentoring, growth, and promotion throughout the YMCA Movement.
• Supportive and inclusive community for people of all backgrounds and access to Employee Resource Networks.

Greater Somerset County YMCA is a drug free work environment. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information who share our values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.