Summer Sleepaway 2024 at Camp Kaufmann

Social Worker

 

Position Description

The Social Worker & Inclusion Specialist will oversee and provide guidance regarding social-emotional and behavioral health issues that might arise while at camp under the supervision of the Heath Director. They will ensure a safe and nurturing environment for all in the camp community, work with campers who need emotional support, and assist all in the coordination and care of campers during daily camp life. They will also have a role in training staff on topics including but not limited to trauma-informed care, managing challenging behaviors, resolving interpersonal disputes, as well as supporting youth and their caregivers as needed. They will act in accordance with the New York Department of Health (NYDOH), Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), and the American Camp Association (ACA) standards while being passionate about the mission of Girl Scouting and the positive impact of camp.

 

Responsibilities

  • Responsible for monitoring the emotional health of campers and staff throughout the summer.
  • Provides staff and campers with the support and counseling to make healthy, responsible, choices and resolve issues.
  • Live locally or on camp property, sharing responsibility with other leadership team members for required on-property evening and weekend coverage.
  • Participate in and lead specific areas of staff training pertaining to self-care, conflict resolution, behavior management, ages and stages of children, mental health, and how to work with exceptional campers effectively.
  • Review personal information provided by caregivers and work with the Heath Director to create Camper Care Plans that will meet the required accommodations of campers.
  • Maintain accurate logs and records.
  • Coordinate with the Health Director and Head Cook to ensure all children with special dietary needs are accommodated and have enough to eat.
  • Keep open daily lines of communication with the Health Director and the Camp Director as needed, ensuring they are informed of any ongoing problems and concerns.
  • Intervene in any situation that will help to improve the quality of the relationships and experiences of campers and staff.
  • Assure that behavior management techniques are correctly applied to conflicts with youth and advise Unit staff as necessary.
  • Report all serious situations, including incidents, accidents, acts of violence, abuse, bullying, or personnel issues to the Heath Director and Camp Director immediately and ensure proper documentation.
  • Report suspected child abuse to the appropriate authorities immediately and inform the Camp Director as soon as possible. Consider community resources for support and guidance in dealing with issues that may arise.
  • Work with the camp leadership team in placing campers and staff appropriately into unit assignments.
  • Work with the camp leadership team to conduct nightly rounds of the camp property.
  • Help ensure that the camp meets ACA and NYSDOH standards.
  • Assist campers and guide staff in emergency situations.
  • Enthusiastically participate in all aspects of camp, including staff training, team building, and debriefing.
  • Subscribe to the mission and values of the Girl Scouts by becoming a member.
  • Provide excellent customer service to other staff members, campers, caregivers, and other visitors to camp.
  • Demonstrate quick thinking and sound problem-solving techniques.
  • Model and teach good health practices for all staff and campers.
  • Excellent communicator, calm under pressure, and works as a team player.
  • Set a good example for campers and staff regarding cleanliness, punctuality, respect, appropriate language, attire, etc.
  • Comply with all personnel policies communicated in staff training and staff manual.
  • Meet and communicate with the Camp Director daily.
  • Prepare an end-of-season report detailing the strong points and weak points of this position and suggestions for improvements.
  • Accept other tasks and responsibilities as deemed necessary by the Camp Director.

 

Minimum Qualifications

  • Be at least 21 years of age.
  • Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), or Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT). 
  • Background in psychology, previous experience with troubled youth, or certification in behavior management, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), or conflict resolution.
  • At least 2 years' experience working with youth and demonstrated ability to manage challenging behavioral situations with youth effectively.
  • Clearance through the Sex Offender Registry and Criminal Background Check.
  • Willingness to prioritize the needs of Girl Scouts and Camp Kaufmann.
  • Desire and ability to provide care to children and peers in an outdoor environment.
  • The acceptance and understanding that employment is at a sleepaway (overnight) camp and that work hours are irregular. Candidates must live locally or on-site and be available to work for the entire summer season (June 23rd – August 11th). Additional days off must be scheduled in advance/at the time of hire and are subject to availability of position and responsibilities coverage.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of campers, providing expert and empathetic trauma-informed care.
  • Demonstrate enthusiasm, sense of humor, patience, integrity, self-control, and an ability to adapt well to changing situations.
  • Possess the strength and endurance required to succeed in a Sleepaway camp environment.

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master of Social Work or Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
  • Experience in a residential setting.
  • Prior camp/outdoors experience and/or interest in the Girl Scout Program and Leadership Experience.

 

Physical Demands
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

  • Ability to lift 40 pounds.
  • Good health and the stamina necessary to work in a camp setting.
  • Ability to stand and/or walk for long periods of time while leading programming.

 

Required

  • Candidates must be available to attend ALL trainings as needed (June 23rd – July 6th) in preparation for the summer program and work for the ENTIRE 5 weeks of camp and clean up (July 7th – August 11th). Additional certification classes may also be required. Those applicants who cannot attend these training dates will NOT be considered.

 

Compensation

  • $130 - $160 per diem rate range (based on experience and certifications).
  • Room and board while at camp.
  • Time off: Friday evening to Saturday evening each week.

 

 

No phone calls, please.
The Girl Scouts of Greater New York are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description. Any essential function or requirement of this job will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent or applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation(s) for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent or applicant when possible.