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) serves over 30,000 people across three counties with seven locations. It employs about 1,050 staff and has operating revenues exceeding $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 addressing social inequities. Visit our website at for more information. Position Summary Camp SOAR is seeking a Senior Camp Counselor to support the work of the Y. The role involves direct supervision of children in a seasonal day camp. The counselor must build positive, nurturing relationships with children and parents/caregivers, promoting youth development and facilitating peer‑to‑peer connections. Essential Functions Keeps campers focused and engaged in camp activities. Assists Specialists 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 names and responds to their needs. Assists Specialists and all camp staff in carrying out themes, special events, trips, and all camp activities. Encourages camper youth‑development progress. Improves camp cleanliness. Works cooperatively with all camp staff while planning all camp activities. Performs responsibilities in an enthusiastic and committed manner, going beyond the minimum for campers. Treats them with respect. Uses redirection to appropriate activities and employs positive reinforcement to commend good choices. Teaches and instills the Four Core Values of the YMCA in all camp activities: Caring, Respect, Honesty, and Responsibility. Acts as requested by the supervisor. Safety Attends mandatory staff meetings scheduled by the supervisor. Must attend and complete all required trainings. Upholds camp safety standards at all times. Maintains constant headcounts and applies risk‑management and disaster‑response policies. Maintains group control and facilitates lunch‑time activities. Must follow Association Aquatics Policy Guidelines. Takes on designated aquatics responsibilities, ensuring swift pool dressing‑room procedures while meeting YMCA, ACA, and NJ licensing standards. Secures and submits all accident reports. Reports all immediate concerns to the Camp Director or nearest supervisor. Assists bus counselors, ensuring safety, procedural compliance, and self‑engaging bus games and songs. Other Duties Maintains a professional demeanor as a YMCA representative. Wears Camp T‑shirt daily. Upholds positive attitude, responsibility, self‑motivation, punctuality, and reliability. Creates a positive learning environment to instill youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Upholds GSCY’s “More Quality at the Y” principles at all times. Requirements Must be a high‑school student or have equivalent education. Must have prior experience working with children, preferably in a day camp setting, such as CIT. Must have interest in outdoor living, archery, boating, camping, songs/music, skits, sports, aquatics, recreational games, or related activities. Must be at least 18 years of age. Must possess CPR, First Aid, AED certifications and Child Abuse Prevention training within 30 days of hire. Must have experience with diverse populations (preferred). Work Environment & Physical Demands Must meet the physical demands required to perform essential functions, including supervising activities indoors and outdoors. Must possess sufficient strength, agility, and mobility for field mandates. Must work in environments subject to heat and humidity. Must respond to emergencies using CPR and First Aid. Must plan, lead, and participate in activities in outdoor and indoor settings. YMCA Competencies (Leader) Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the YMCA values, seeks volunteers, sustains philanthropy. Collaboration: Builds rapport across backgrounds, listens, remains calm, and proactively assists in developing others. Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, embraces improved methods, and pursues better member experiences. Personal Growth: Pursues self‑development, embraces change, and applies up‑to‑date knowledge 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 the “Y Retirement Fund” from the first day of employment. Opportunities for professional development, mentoring, growth, and promotion within 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr