Advocate Camp Counselor for children w/special needs, Camp Kaleidoscope, Summer - JCC Greater Boston

Laughter. Fun. Being a role model and making a difference.  Camp Kaleidoscope, the JCC summer day camp in Newton, draws creative campers interested in the arts, science and the outdoors. Camp Counselors and activity specialists guide campers in drama, art, science, sports, swimming and much more as they develop and build self-confidence. The energy of the camp is lively, playful and warm, as both campers and staff develop lifelong friendships. JCC Greater Boston offers free bus service for staff from Cambridge, Brookline, Framingham, Sudbury, and Wayland during the season, making it possible for staff to receive transportation from their home communities if needed.

We serve a population of campers with special needs and are committed to fully including them in activities with their peers. Advocate Camp Counselors partner with their co-Counselors and our support staff as a team to create an inclusive group dynamic while facilitating accommodations based on ICPs (Individual Camper Plans) to fully include campers with special needs in their peer groups and activities throughout the camp day. We provide guidance and supports, so if you have an interest and passion for inclusion, this is a great opportunity for you!

 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.

Primary responsibilities include, and are not limited to:

• Work in partnership with co-Counselors to create an inclusive group dynamic and facilitate accommodations to fully include campers with special needs with their peers  
• Advocate for camper’s needs and abilities
• Ensure the safety and well-being of campers in structured and unstructured time 
• Create a fun/joyful dynamic
• Work in partnership with peers and Camp Leadership to provide a happy, safe and memorable summer for the children 
• Facilitate and support camper participation in activities, including arts, sports and swimming
• Participate in, and support camper during swim times (must be able to access the pool and swim with the campers)

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 (dates to be announced)
• Other duties as assigned

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 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 23 - August 15. 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.

Lower and Middle Camp Counselors work with campers entering grades K - 3. They assist in specialist-led activities and lead fun group games with their campers. They support and nurture campers throughout the day.

Upper Camp Counselors work with campers entering grades 4 - 8. They lead or assist in a variety of activities, including theater, dance, video production, sports, boating, fencing, music, art, costuming and more. 

10 skills you gain while being a summer 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

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 https://www.bostonjcc.org/careers/

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:

• 10th grade (or equivalent) and eligible for work permit 

• 1+ season (summer camp, semester, babysitting, coaching, other) experience working with children
• Concentration in Special Needs, Special Education, or similar field of study and/or comparable experience preferred   

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

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability and commitment to build strong relationships with campers, parents, co-workers, and camp leadership
• 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.