Advocate Camp Counselor for children wdisabilities, JCC Sports Camp, Summer

Be a role model. Make camp possible for every child.

Do you believe every child deserves to be fully included at camp JCC Greater Boston is looking for caring patient and enthusiastic Advocate Camp Counselors to join our Inclusion Team this summer.

Advocate Counselors are part of our camps Inclusion Team working directly with campers with disabilities and individualized needs. Guided by ICPs (Individual Camper Plans) and supported by our Inclusion Team Advocate Counselors partner with co-counselors to ensure that every camper is safe supported and fully included in their bunk and camp activities.

JCC Greater Boston offers free bus service for staff from Cambridge Brookline Jamaica Plain West Roxbury Wayland Framingham Natick Needham Newton and Wellesley during the summer season.

What you will do each day:

Each morning youll connect with your camper making sure they feel welcomed and ready for the day. Youll support them in joining their bunk for activities whether that means going over the schedule with them cheering them on during sports modeling skills and providing hands-on support in arts & crafts or being in the water with them at swim. Throughout the day youll model patience empathy and creativity as you help campers navigate challenges and celebrate successes. Youll work closely with co-counselors and our Inclusion Team to adapt supports as needed. At the end of the day youll leave knowing you made camp possible for a child who might not otherwise be able to fully participate.

Why work with us

At our camps the best part of the day is simple: the kids. Our staff say their favorite moments are playing games cheering campers on at swim creating art together and bonding over shared interests.

Staff describe camp as fun dynamic and inviting. Here youll gain leadership skills make lasting friendships and create unforgettable experiences for campers and yourself.

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 Bostons core values - Belonging Joyfulness Collaboration and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish.

This is what our Camp Counselors say are the best parts of working at JCC Camps:

• Bonding with the campers
• The activities
• Free swim
• Leadership opportunities
• Making close friends with co-counselors

Primary responsibilities include and are not limited to:

• Partner with co-counselors to build an inclusive group dynamic and implement accommodations from camper ICPs
• Advocate for camper strengths needs and abilities while encouraging independence and participation
• Support campers in fully engaging with bunk life and activities (arts sports swimming special events)
• Ensure the safety and well-being of campers during structured and unstructured times
• Participate in and support campers during swim times (must be able to access the pool and swim with campers)
• Communicate regularly with co-counselors and leadership to ensure consistency of support
• Model patience empathy and positive behavior for campers and peers

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 Bostons 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
• Other duties as assigned

Skills you gain as a 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

This is a great chance to join JCC Greater Bostons 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 JCCs internal equity.

This 8 week camp program is June 22 - August 21 including staff training. 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.

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 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 Bostons 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 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 a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.

Education and Experience:

• Eligible for work permit

• 1 season (summer camp semester babysitting coaching other) experience working with children

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

Skills and Abilities:

• Enjoy working with children and a strong desire to make a difference every day
• 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 childrens 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.

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 Bostons 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.