Day Camp Counselor - Inclusion

Looking for a summer job working with a child with special needs in a park district camp

Hours are MondayFriday during the daytime from early June to early/midAugust.

Job Perk: Full summer Day Camp Counselors will receive a complimentary fitness or pool membership for the summer months!

Summary: A Day Camp Inclusion Aide is responsible for supporting and assisting one or more individuals with a disability to be successful in a member entities day camp. The aide must have a working knowledge of disabilities the ability to communicate and work effectively with parents and staff the ability to effectively adapt recreation activities the ability to promote positive inclusion for individuals with disabilities into the general community and must be able to reinforce the camp supervisors instructions.

Position Qualifications:

• One to two years direct experience working with individuals with disabilities preferred.
• Possess reliable mode of transportation.
• Sixteen years of age or older.
• Availability to commit to assigned work times/placements.
• Ability to work independently.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist and include the individual(s) to participate in activities in the camp.
• Adapt activities rules equipment and/or supplies as needed to ensure quality participation and the most independent participation possible.
• Act as an advocate for the individual(s) and emphasize the individuals abilities and similarities while deemphasizing the differences.
• Be alert and responsive to health and safety needs of the individual(s).
• Involve yourself with other participants and staff as much as possible to contribute to the whole program and avoid being singled out as a SEASPAR staff. Strive to blend in with the other staff and bring as little extra attention to the individual with a disability as possible.
• Discuss camp activities with camp instructors to be prepared. Offer suggestions and adaptations if applicable.
• Provide behavior management when necessary.
• Feed diaper/take to the bathroom lift and transfer individual if applicable.
• Communicate all incidents/accidents to the camp supervisor and the Inclusion Manager immediately.
• Communicate with parents and Inclusion Manager on a regular basis and complete biweekly summary sheets on the participants progress.
• Be flexible and adaptable to accommodate for fluctuations in schedule.
• Follow member entities policies and procedures.
• Read understand and abide by all SEASPAR policies and procedures.
• Must be dependable and punctual for all programs/camps.
• Perform other duties asked by supervisor.

• Regular and predictable onsite attendance.

Marginal Responsibilities:

• Assist member entity staff with program or other duties if necessary.
• Attend all jobrelated seasonal orientations/inservices as directed by Inclusion Manager or member entity.
• Encourage participation and development of friendships with other participants in the program.
• Arrive at program site 15 minutes prior to the start of the program.
• Assist with loading/unloading of participants if needed.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Worker Traits: Demonstration of enthusiasm strong interpersonal skills communication skills and the ability to work effectively with people with disabilities SEASPAR staff SEASPAR member entity staff and parents/guardians.

• Safety and Security: Use good safety awareness and judgment; follow SEASPAR policies at all times; report potentially unsafe conditions; use equipment following manufacturer safety instructions; and follow agency ergonomic policies and procedures.
• Problem Solving: Identify and appropriately resolve problems in a timely manner; gather and analyze information skillfully; develop alternative solutions; work well in group problemsolving situations; and use reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Interpersonal Skills: Focus on solving conflict not blaming; maintain confidentiality; listen to others without interrupting; keep emotions under control; remain open to others ideas; and try new things.
• Oral Communication/Language Skills: Speak clearly and effectively in all situations; listen and ask for clarification from supervisor if needed; respond appropriately to questions; and read and interpret all necessary agency documents.
• Written Communication: Write clearly and informatively; edit work for spelling and grammar; be able to interpret written information; and present clear legible handwriting for all SEASPAR forms and documents.
• Judgment/Reasoning Ability: Exhibit sound and accurate judgment when making all programrelated decisions; solve problems involving a few concrete variables; and include appropriate people in the decisionmaking process.
• Professionalism: Approach others in a tactful manner; react well under pressure; treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accept responsibility for own actions; and follow through on commitments.
• Adaptability: Adapt activities based on the skill level and needs of each participant to encourage appropriate participation on a regular basis; adapt to changes in the work environment; manage competing demands; change approach or method as necessary; and deal with frequent changes delays unexpected events or program cancellations.
• Attendance/Punctuality: Demonstrate consistent attendance and ontime arrival; ensure responsibilities are covered when absent; and arrive at meetings inservices and trainings on time.
• Dependability: Follow instructions and respond to management direction; take responsibility for own actions; keep commitments; commit to long hours of work when necessary; and complete tasks on time.
• Leadership: Lead participants to have successful recreation experiences; demonstrate positive interactions with other staff members individuals with disabilities and parents/guardians; and possess the ability to enlist the support of others to accomplish a common task.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the key responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop kneel crouch or crawl and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or transfer up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

SEASPAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer which has been and will continue to be a fundamental principle at the agency which bases employment upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of an individuals actual or perceived race (including but not limited to traits associated with race such as hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids locks and twists) color religion sex gender (including gender identity and expression) age national origin citizenship status work authorization status ancestry marital status veteran status disability association with a person with a disability sexual orientation genetic information unfavorable discharge from military service or military status civil union partnership order of protection status pregnancy childbirth or a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process may contact HR at