Inclusion Counsellor

Be the Spark! Join our dynamic Day Camp Team where every day is different and you will always be engaged with meaningful work!

The Inclusion Counsellor plays a key role in ensuring a meaningful and inclusive camp experience for campers and volunteers with developmental or behavioural needs. Counsellors are assigned to children requiring additional support to ensure they are fully integrated into a camper group and can participate positively regardless of ability level. Working closely with the Day Camp team the Inclusion Counsellor helps identify resources adapt activities advocate for participants needs and contribute to an inclusive camp environment. The role also collaborates with families and the Day Camp team to foster an environment that promotes safety belonging and personal growth.

In this role you will:

• Get to know campers and their interests and needs and deliver activities in alignment with program manuals to promote engagement and success in their registered program
• Be flexible and adaptable while working with different campers throughout the summer including at neighbouring camp sites
• Actively engage and participate in all camp programs and placement areas with campers
• Participate enthusiastically in all camp programs with the camper group including recreational swimming
• Participate in parent and guardian communication prior to camper arrival and throughout the week to support families and caregivers and ensure a positive camper experience
• Provide overall camp support by assisting with break coverage and filling in for absent staff when not providing one-to-one support
• Build and maintain positive relationships with members staff volunteers and community partners to enhance program quality and collaboration
• Ensure Health & Safety procedures are followed and maintained contributing to the cleaning safety and maintenance of camp sites
• Attend all staff trainings and meetings arrive on time and actively contribute to the development of camp staff
• Act as a positive role model for campers and staff by embodying YMCA values policies procedures Day Camp guidelines and Ontario Camping Association standards
• Perform other duties as assigned

You bring:

• Standard First Aid and CPR-C required by the first day of employment and valid until at least the last day of the contract or equivalent experience
• Post-secondary education in a related field such as Personal Support Worker Early Childhood Education Child and Youth Worker Ontario Certified Teacher Resource Teacher Social Work Developmental Support Educational Assistant Recreation and Leisure or training in psychology and experience working with children and adults with differing abilities and diagnoses
• Minimum one year of experience working with children or youth with disabilities or additional needs
• Transportation (car public transport) to nearby camp locations
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work in a team environment and independently to achieve optimal collective results
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and adapt to change
• Well-developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to establish rapport and communicate effectively with members staff and volunteers
• Ability to provide mentorship and guidance to both inexperienced and seasoned staff
• Excellent communication skills
• Minimum age of 18 years old by the first day of camp
• Commitment to diversity equity inclusion and building a sense of belonging

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCAs Mission Vision and Values
• Focus on the health safety and wellbeing of all children youth and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable Relationship-Builder Improvement-Orientated Team Player & Leader Equity and Wellbeing Promoter

Why work for the YMCA

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people helping them grow lead and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here.

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services such as health and fitness licensed child care camps employment and immigrant services education and training and services for youth families and seniors. Learn more in our strategic plan Greater Together which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour Indigenous Peoples disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here.

If you are hired prior to your start date and as a condition of your employment you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a valid medical or other Human Rights Code-related exemption.

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest however due to the volume of applications we receive we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.

Check out the next steps in our recruitment process and see what others are saying about working at the YMCA.