Camp Counselor

Class Concept

Do you have a passion for developing the next generation? Do you have fond memories from your own camp experience? Join the City of Dublin’s Camp Team this summer to mentor and guide the young people of our community towards their own interests, goals and personhood. Working as a part of our Camp Team provides a leadership experience that elevates your game for the rest of your life, no matter where it may take you. We are in the business of building better campers, better counselors and better people, to help make the world a better place. As a member of our team, you can help make this dream a reality – one camper at a time, many times each day!

• “I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a Counselor last summer - it was one of the best job experiences I’ve had!”
• “I just wanted say that I had the most amazing experience being a Counselor this past summer—it was seriously the best job I’ve ever had.”
• “My favorite thing is just getting to know the community, whether that’s my co-workers or the kids. On top of that, Summer Camp is without a doubt the best job I’ve ever had, and I look forward to coming in to work each and every day.”

• Refer a Friend Bonus Program ($50 per successful employee referral)
• Ohio Public Employee Retirement System (OPERS) enrollment and contributions
• Potential Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility
• Support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 20% discount on classes and free textbooks at Franklin University
• Fostering Internal Talent (FIT) Program offering incentives, training, and team building
• Discounts on classes and memberships at the Dublin Community Recreation Center (DCRC)
• The City maintains the cost of team member certifications and training time is paid ($40.00-$100.00 value). All certifications achieved belong to the team member.
• Employee recognition and appreciation events throughout the summer
• Discounted/free employee participation in select City events (Memorial Golf Tournament, Dublin Irish Festival, etc.)
• Uniforms provided
• Career mapping and growth opportunities

Examples of Duties

Duties of Camp Counselors include, but are not limited to:

Working With Campers

• Counselors are directly responsible for the supervision and safety of their campers
  • Responsible for the safety and well-being of campers at all times
  • Plan, lead, supervise and provide ongoing assistance to campers with outdoor and indoor recreational activities
  • Implement safety guidelines and conduct all activities in the safest manner possible
• Serve as a positive role model for all campers, staff and parents in your attitude and behavior
  • Demonstrate appropriate behavior to camp participants, camp parents and co-workers
  • Follow and uphold all safety rules and procedures
  • Strive for inclusion of all camp participants in all scheduled activities
• Interact with campers, staff and parents in a fair and positive manner
  • Manage camper behavior in an age-appropriate way to achieve camp objectives
  • Stay alert to campers needs and assist them with personal and/or health problems
  • Work cooperatively with other camp counselors, supervisors, and fulltime city of Dublin staff to create a safe and enjoyable camp experience that keep campers involved and having fun
  • Create and maintain group unity by making everyone feel a part of the group
• Develop individual campers’ independence, self-esteem and peer relationships in the summer camp environment
  • Assist campers in adjusting to the camp environment and to each other
  • Help campers plan their camp program by obtaining their input

• Set the example of Recreation Services' Workplace Expectations:
  • Demonstrate positive energy, trust co-workers, be solution-oriented and hold yourself and others accountable
• Relationships: Counselors work very closely with other Counselors and Assistant Supervisors and have regular interactions with Camp Site Supervisors and fulltime Recreation Services staff
• Participate and assist in the implementation of program activities for campers
  • Actively participate and assist other staff in all program areas as assigned including, but not limited to: field trips, swimming, songs, games and All Camp activities
  • Assist other staff in program areas such as Arts & Crafts, Sports & Games and Outdoor Education
• Effectively communicate problems or concerns to Camp Site Supervisor and/or Camps Program Coordinator

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be 17 years of age or older
• Willing to work under direct supervision
• Ability to work independently
• Ability and experience to lead and supervise children of all ages

• At least one year of college in recreation, education, or related field OR two or more years work experience in a recreation related field
• General knowledge of camp and/or recreation programs
• Experience managing or working with students in any setting

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. for occasional facility/operational/safety needs
• Ability to operate standard office equipment in performing essential functions of work

• Attend staff meetings and trainings
• Regular, predictable and punctual attendance
• Ability to develop positive relationships with people from different backgrounds
• Evaluate camp program and environment and provide input to support staff and supervisors
• Abide by mandatory reporting policies as described in the staff manual
• Accept other responsibilities deemed necessary by your supervisor in order to ensure quality service to all campers
• Perform duties assigned to the best of your ability and with a positive attitude

Core Competencies

Approachability: Is easy to approach and talk to; spends the extra effort to put others at ease; can be warm, pleasant and gracious; is sensitive to and patient with the interpersonal anxieties of others; builds rapport well; is a good listener; is an early knower, getting informal and incomplete information in time to do something about it.

Flexibility: Adjusts to short-term changing environment as changes arrive, quickly and calmly; deals with unexpected problems or tasks effectively.

Time Management: Makes decisions in a timely manner, sometimes with incomplete information and under tight deadlines and pressure; able to make a quick decision.

Supplemental Information: All positions within this job classification have been designated as Casual in nature and all employees serving in such positions are considered to be Casual Employees. Casual employees serve strictly at the pleasure of the City and their employment may be terminated at any time for any reason, with or without cause.

The City of Dublin is committed to establishing and maintaining an inclusive and equitable community. We work to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We actively celebrate colleagues’ differences, support them through their careers with us, and prohibit discrimination and harassment. We strive to ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities that allow individuals and groups to feel safe, respected, motivated, and valued. Creating a culture of equity and belonging helps to ensure we meet the needs of all residents, visitors, and City of Dublin employees.

• Refer a Friend Bonus Program ($50 per successful employee referral)
• Ohio Public Employee Retirement System (OPERS) enrollment and contributions
• Potential Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility
• Support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Fostering Internal Talent (FIT) Program offering incentives, training, and team building
• Discounts on classes and memberships at the Dublin Community Recreation Center (DCRC)
• The City maintains the cost of team member certifications and training time is paid ($40.00-$100.00 value). All certifications achieved belong to the team member.
• Employee recognition and appreciation events throughout the summer
• Discounted/free employee participation in select City events (Memorial Golf Tournament, Dublin Irish Festival, etc.)
• Uniforms provided
• Career mapping and growth opportunities
• The City of Dublin has partnered with Franklin University to make it easier than ever for you to achieve your education goals. The partnership provides the following educational benefits to ALL City of Dublin employees (full-time, part-time and seasonal employees):
  • Tuition Benefit – All City of Dublin employees are eligible to save 20% on tuition for Franklin University associate, bachelors, masters or graduate certificate programs
  • Free books – Get your textbooks for free! The Franklin University Bookstore will mail textbooks to registered students beginning 3 weeks prior to the start of courses, so make sure to register early. Some courses include embedded electronic textbooks with fees charged upon registration. These fees will be waived. Please allow up to 4 weeks from the start of your course for this fee to be removed from your account.
  • No Tuition Deferment Fee – You may defer tuition payments to the end of the trimester at no charge! You will need to apply for tuition deferment each term through your Franklin student portal.