Lead Camp Counselor

Description

Wayfinder Family Services ensures that children, youth, and adults facing challenges always have a place to turn.

Wayfinder is committed to advancing IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility).

Wayfinder believes inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility are essential to our excellence and our mission's execution. We value differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. We are committed to creating a diverse and welcoming workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and includes individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Individuals of color, women, LGBTQIA , veterans and differently-abled persons are encouraged to apply.

Compensation:

• In accordance with California law, the expected salary range for this position is posted with this position.  The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.

Role Summary

The Lead Camp Counselor is responsible for supporting and directing the work and growth of all male/female camp counselors, coordinating with staff on areas of camp operations, supporting program activities, and maintaining the highest of standards for the health and safety of all campers and staff to ensure they have a positive camp experience. The Lead Camp Counselor is responsible for the training, growth, supervision, and evaluation of camp counselors.

Please Note : This seasonal position will begin on April 29th, 2024 and end on August 31st, 2024.

• Attends and assists with leading the mandatory camp staff meetings before, during, and after each session.
• Ensures that camp counselors and other staff adhere to the 11:30 PM all-camp curfew.
• Assists camp counselors to ensure cabins are clean and organized, including campers’ personal belongings.
• Assists in fire drills and all emergency camp procedures.
• Assists with pick-up and drop-off of campers on arrival and departure day (may be required to drive a camp vehicle).  
• Assists with loading and unloading of luggage on arrival and departure day.
• Meets with campers, their parent(s), and assigned counselors, especially on arrival and departure days.
• Meets regularly with the camp director and core staff to effectively plan and implement operations.
• Follows and enforces camp policies and safety of camp and campers.
• Assists in developing campers’ objectives with camp counselors to ensure campers’ needs are being met.
• Completes all written reports promptly.
• Manages personal time off within the camp policies.
• Sets a good example for campers and staff, including punctuality, cleanliness, clean-up, table manners, camp activities, etc.
• Maintains confidentiality of all pertinent camp information to ensure campers’ and staffs’ rights are protected.
• Creates and maintains an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis throughout camp.
• Attends all meetings scheduled by the camp director.
• Communicates with the camp director expressing any concerns, program ideas, safety hazards, etc.
• Oversees camp counselors to manage counselors-in-training properly.
• Assigns campers, camp counselors and counselors-in-training to their living cabins.
• Sits and interacts with campers and counselors during mealtimes.
• Assists camp counselors with camper awards and sign-off to ensure they are creative, fun, appropriate, and completed by the end of rest hour on awards dinner night.
• Be readily available to fill in for camp counselor’s various circumstances (i.e., emergency, illness, distress, etc.).
• Documents all campers’ problem behaviors, as well as any concerns or issues with the camp counselors.
• Organizes and leads motivation checks in evenings with camp staff starting on the second day of each session.
• Leads line-up activities (i.e., “chicken fat”) before meals in the designated area.
• Ensures camp counselors have all campers leave camp with all their personal belongings.
• Ensures that campers and camp counselors maintain a high level of personal hygiene during the session.
• Carries out established roles for supervising camper health, diet, medications, hygiene, etc.
• Conducts cabin inspection daily and recognizes the “best cabin inspection award” each session.
• Assists with the after-hours programming as assigned (i.e., twilight, campfire, special events, etc.).
• Communicates emergencies such as a sick or hurt child immediately to the nurse and the camp director.
• Oversees the development of cabin activities with campers and staff as appropriate.
• Offers the development of a cheerful group dynamic and a cohesive bond within cabin groups.

Qualifications

• High school diploma
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification is required.
• Meet all health screening, drug testing, and background investigation clearances, as well as possess a valid driver’s license (if applicable), insurance and have an acceptable DMV record
• Wayfinder requires a thorough background screening process that includes fingerprinting and a health screening.
• Applicants must demonstrate evidence of a negative PCT test (taken within 72 hours) before the camp start date 
• Must be able to lift to 30 pounds
• At least one year of supervisory experience 
• Ability to oversee and supervise small and large groups in camp and cabin activities
• Prior resident camp experience is desirable 
• Desire to work with children, teens, and adults who are blind, visually impaired, and multi-disabled

Employee Wellness & Safety

Wayfinder is committed to creating an environment where employees and clients are safe. To meet this goal, we ask that employees be fully vaccinated (including boosters) against the COVID-19 virus as a condition of employment. All staff must demonstrate evidence of the first vaccine dose on or before their employment start date. Wayfinder will consider requests for exemption based on religious beliefs or medical accommodations. Wayfinder requires a thorough background screening process that includes fingerprinting and a health screening.

Trauma-Informed Care

Wayfinder practices Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) principles which recognize the signs, symptoms, and widespread impact of trauma. Employees integrate the knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care into policies, procedures, and practices to prevent re-traumatization which promotes the healing of families, youth, individuals, and communities.

Wayfinder is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

*IND

Salary : $18