Summer Day Camp Counselor Job Opening

Counselors are the primary caregivers for each camper. The Counselor is responsible for planning and implementing recreational activities and providing supervision for assigned participants (rising K-8th graders) within Decatur Children and Youth Services guidelines. The position requires a commitment to safety by proactively initiating, communicating, and adhering to practices and procedures that ensure the highest standards of risk management for child, employee, and community safety.

Major Responsibilities:

Leadership – Creates a high performance work culture by demonstrating a positive attitude and modeling the City’s mission, vision, and values.

Assist in the direction, supervision, and organization of campers in their camper group within activities and throughout the camp in order to meet the intended camper outcomes.

• Apply basic youth development principles in working with campers through communication, relationship development, and respect for diversity, involvement and empowerment of youth.
• Assures campers are properly supervised at all times.
• Be aware of and implement safety guidelines.
• Provide supervision for campers at all times and while campers are transported during scheduled field trips away from camp site.

Conducts self with high integrity, proactive in conserving city resources, and seeks and incorporates customer feedback for continuous improvement of operations.

Effective Management - Takes initiative to accomplish tasks and identifies opportunities for improvement. Follows all established safety rules and departmental policies and procedures, and carries out oral and written instructions with minimal supervision. Provides responsive and timely feedback on status and progress of work assignments to supervisors and coworkers.

Participate in the development and implementation of program activities for campers within the mission and outcomes.

• Responsible for leading or assisting with the teaching of activities.
• Actively participate in all program areas as assigned.
• Provide a progression of activities within the framework of individual and group interests and abilities.
• Counselors may be asked to complete a drivers’ course to drive a van on scheduled field trips.

Maintain high standards of health and safety in all activities for campers and staff.

• Provide for the daily care of each camper within your supervision including recognition of personal health needs.
• Be alert to campers and staff needs and assist them with personal and/or health problems; discuss with camp director when appropriate.
• Be alert to equipment and facilities to ensure utilization, proper care, and maintenance is adhered to; report repairs needed promptly to camp director.

Teamwork – Creates an atmosphere of reliance and collaboration by building effective working relationships with supervisor, team members, city employees, etc. Demonstrates cooperation and initiative in helping team members, supervisor, and other city employees with developing and implementing programs and objectives to improve the department and City.

Be a role model to campers and staff in your attitude and behavior.

• Follow and uphold all safety and security rules and procedures.
• Set a good example to campers and others in regard to general camp procedures and practices including sanitation, schedule, and sportsmanship.
• Contribute to verbal and written evaluations and communication as requested.

Quality Service – Performs work under the general supervision of the Camp Director and includes the following tasks: plans and implements recreational activities and provides supervision for assigned participants (rising K-8th graders) within Decatur Children and Youth Services guidelines. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Represent the camp when interacting with parents or community members.

• Provide parents appropriate feedback and information as needed for campers to have a successful camp experience.
• Follow safety and security protocols when campers are in public while presenting a positive image of the camp.

Qualifications: Minimum Education and Experience

• Must be at least 18 years of age or high school graduate.
• Ability to interact with all youth from 5-11 years of age.
• One (1) year of training and/or education or equivalent experience working with youth.
• Must be able to obtain or become certified in CPR/First Aid.
  

  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Understanding of the development needs of youth.
• Ability to relate to youth and adults in a positive manner; display a sense of humor.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in camp program areas.
• Have the ability to accept guidance and supervision.
• Demonstrate an ability to relate to one’s peer group.
• Have good character, integrity, and adaptability.
• Have enthusiasm, patience, creativity, flexibility, organizational skills, and self-control.
• Demonstrate leadership skills.
  

  Physical Aspects of the Job:

• Ability to communicate and work with groups participating (age and skill levels) and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to observe camper behavior, assesses its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply behavior-management techniques.
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.
• Ability to withstand prolonged periods of standing, walking long distances, carrying, bending, twisting and climbing; requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate outdoor equipment and camp activities; requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate camper activities/programs and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.; willing to work in an outdoor setting with daily exposure to the sun, heat, and animals/insects such as bugs, snakes, bees, etc.
• Daily set up, take down and cleaning of equipment and facilities
• Participation in recreational activities
• Have no convictions for moral turpitude.
• Willingness to swim in city pools daily with campers.

How to Apply: All applications must be submitted online at HERE.

We do not accept e-mailed resumes as a part of the application process.