Community Care Director

Camp Leadership Responsibilities:

  • Serve as part of the camp’s leadership team, contribute to the overall positive morale of the camp community, and take on responsibilities accordingly (night supervision, unit support, day to day policy decisions, etc.).
  • Participation in Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Community of Practice as part of our camp’s grant for nurturing mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health at camp. This includes two or three virtual gatherings and one in-person gathering per year with other Jewish camp mental health professionals.
  • Maintain a consistent presence as a leader within the camp community with respect to role modeling of institutional and racial equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI) principles, Jewish values, supervision and accountability for all rules and procedures, and dedication in all respects to the camp’s mission and vision.

Staff training & Support

  • Provide specialized staff training during staff orientation week based upon the specific needs of campers.
  • Provide training and support to all camp staff (specialists, unit heads, health center, kitchen staff, etc.) as it relates to working with campers with special needs.
  • Design and help implement modifications to program and activities to accommodate children who may have varied participation needs.

Camper & Staff Care  

  • Support campers (and their staff) with a wide range of special needs, who are mainstreamed in the camp environment.
  • Support campers (and their staff) who requiring extra support in the camp environment while at camp (homesickness, social emotional challenges, routines and hygiene, etc.).
  • As needed, develop individual care plans for campers, including specific strategies for success based on camper screening, experience from previous summers, and direction from guardians(s) and teacher(s).
  • As needed, update guardians about camper experience, ensuring a ‘partnership approach’.

Administration         

  • Help to maintain logs and records of all information pertaining to supporting campers in the camp’s online database – including interventions, parent phone calls, etc.
  • Assist with various camper care administrative systems in camp such as sociogram meetings, end of session camper profiles, etc.

Qualifications:

To be successful in this job, you excel in the following areas:

  • Mental Health & Special Needs Support. Graduate or higher level degree in a mental health field. Previous experience in a camp, school, or similar setting preferred. Ability to create behavior modification plans for individual campers. Ability to modify camp programming to meet the needs of campers and staff. Experience supporting children, teenagers, and/or adult mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health – in proactive and reactive ways. Care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of campers and staff. Maintain best practices around inclusion, youth development, racial, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Youth Engagement & Mentorship. Able to demonstrate positive Jewish value and enjoys being with and providing guidance to children. Background in informal education, experiential teaching, or program coordination is desirable. Leads by example, demonstrating a well-developed sense of responsibility with good judgement and common sense. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with campers, parents, staff, community partners
  • Residential Camping. Residential camp experience is highly preferred. Willingness to embrace the mission and vision of camp. Understand the nature of camp life and can adjust plans accordingly and maintain a level of flexibility.
  • Training & Supervision. Staff supervision and training. Patient, compassionate, and approachable, serving as a mentor for all counselors.
  • Effective and efficient communication and listening skills. Attention to detail in documentation and maintaining records.
  • Flexibility & Creativity. Ability to listen well, resolve conflicts, and perform as a leader in a fast paced and demanding work environment. An ability to think critically and act swiftly in high stress situations. The inclination to be a caring, empathetic, patient, hardworking, and diligent professional who takes initiative and is creative, enthusiastic, open-minded, and high-energy. Strong abilities to function both independently and as part of a team. Ability to be self-motivated and able to thrive during a long workday.
  • REDI Experience (Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion). Demonstrated experience and ongoing commitment to prioritizing and executing on Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (i.e., ableism, LGBTQ+ Inclusion, antiracism, etc.) priorities.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Live in residence at camp during summer.
  • The ideal candidate is interested in being in this role for at least 2 years while our camp participates the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s mental health grant. This relationship will be reviewed on a yearly basis during that time, with the hope that the relationship can continue beyond the 2 year grant program period.
Mental Health Specialist

Qualifications:

  • Dedication to the Jacobs Camp Mission and Vision;
  • Educational experience in social work, psychology, special education, or child development – undergraduate required, masters preferred;
  • Experience working with children and/or teens ages 7-16 in an educational or recreational setting;
  • Maturity and professionalism: must be able to work effectively with other staff, address camper social and emotional needs discretely, and maintain confidentiality in work with campers, staff, and parents;
  • Strong oral and communication skills: must be able to communicate efficiently with staff and parents, as well as maintain proper documentation;
  • High-level organizational skills;
  • Flexibility: must be a team-player and address problems as they arise;

Responsibilities and Key Functions:

  • Partner with Community Care Director to ensure every child within the camp community is happy, healthy, safe, and successful at camp;
  • Provide pre-summer training to staff to provide an introduction child development, age-appropriate behavior, and effective behavior management strategies;
  • Partner with in-cabin staff to meet the individual needs of all campers, especially those who struggle to adjust to the camp community;
  • Manage camper dietary restrictions, serving as the liaison between campers and the summer kitchen staff, as well as collaborating with counselors and unit head to accommodate dietary restrictions as needed in programming;
  • Observe campers in activities to better understand behaviors and social dynamics in order to support in-cabin staff as they navigate and accommodate camper needs;
  • Communicate with camper parents via phone and email, as directed by Community Care Director;
  • Maintain adequate documentation of Community Care Team interventions with campers and staff;
  • Partner with Summer Leadership Team, including Staff Engagement Coordinator and Staff Care Specialist, to create a culture of wellness, inclusion, and compassion within the camp community;
  • Assist the Community Care Director, Staff Care Specialist, and Camp Leadership in other responsibilities, as assigned.

Designated Supervisor: Community Care Director

 

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Want to make an impact on the best campers ever and their mental, emotional and social well-being? Check out our Community Care positions, for both our Community Care Director and Mental Health Internship below!