JOB PURPOSE:

Work cooperatively with the Summer Day Camp Site Director and staff to support individuals with disabilities in a camp setting. The Sumer Day Camp Counselor work directly with individual(s) with disabilities to reinforce instructions, encourage peer interactions, and provide behavior and communication support with the goal of maximizing active participation.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

1. 16+ years of age preferred.
2. Desire to work with individuals with disabilities.
3. Must understand the needs of persons with disabilities and adapt activities to promote participation.
4. Must demonstrate strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and communication both written and oral skills, and ability to work effectively under stressful situations with people with disabilities, FVSRA staff, FVSRA Member Agency staff, parents/guardians, participants, as well as members of the general public. 
5. Be safety conscious, enforce and follow FVSRA, Park District/Department, Center for Disease Control, and the Illinois Department of Public Health safety policies and guidelines to ensure the participants and the environment are safe. 
6. Demonstrate creativity, enthusiasm, and take initiative.
7. Have the ability to engage in activities requiring physical exertion.   
8. Must pass a criminal background check pursuant to Park Code.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Attend all meetings, in-services, and training required by FVSRA. 
2. Implement modifications that maximize the ability of individuals with disabilities to participate in all program activities.
   • Model and breakdown instructions for comprehension and understanding.
   • Modify activities and use adaptive equipment to promote accessibility.
   • Facilitate and encourage social interaction between individuals with and without disabilities.
   • Promote positive behaviors through coping skills, behavior plans, safety rules, and clear expectations.
   • Use augmentative and alternative communication devise, systems, strategies, and tools that replace or support natural speech.
3. Assist with the inventory of equipment and supplies.
4. Assist with the setup and cleanup of program spaces.
5. Assist with the supervision of campers, including awareness of dietary needs, allergies, seizures, behavior management needs, wheelchair assistance, and daily living skills, including feeding, dressing, and toileting.
6. Keep all personal camp and camper information confidential.
7. Immediately communicate all accidents, unsafe conditions, problems, or concerns to the Summer Day Camp Site Director or Day Camp Manager.
8. Assist in solving simple to complex problems arising while supporting the participant.
9. Provide timely responses to phone and/or electronic communication.
10. Must have swim apparel readily available each day and actively participate in water with camper.
11. Assume other responsibilities as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The Summer Day Camp Counselor must, with or without reasonable accommodations, be able to perform the following functions:

1. Frequently stand, walk; sit, or feel; reach with arms and hands. The employee must be able to talk, hear, and see (both near and far). Occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch.
2. Gather, load, transport, and set up equipment and supplies for activities.
3. Active participation in programs may require the ability to be in a pool, swim, or tread water.
4. Ability to be outside for extended periods of time.
5. Physically assist individuals in wheelchairs by pushing, pulling, or providing stabilization on unknown terrain.

COGNITIVE DEMANDS:

1. Exhibit good problem-solving abilities and good judgment in accordance with the mission of FVSRA.
2. Demonstrate dependability and strong leadership skills when supporting staff and participants, promoting cohesiveness throughout the team and program.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Students seeking internships to gain meaningful experiences, to apply classroom knowledge and aid the student in being competitive for their next step after graduation are welcomed. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those of an outdoor/indoor work environment the employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to all types of lighting, weather, temperature and environmental conditions, such as sun, heat, humidity, bugs and mosquitos. This position also requires working in close quarters on buses during field trips with campers and in various indoor/outdoor locations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately loud to very loud.

FINE PRINT

All positions are part-time and work schedules are based on your availability. Summer ONLY employees are eligible to work up to 40 hours per week. Reliable transportation is required to ensure attendance at all scheduled programs.

 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

FVSRA 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 individual’s 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 HR@fvsra.org.