Wellness Lead

Job Details
Camp Menzies - Camp Connell, CA
Position Type
Seasonal
Travel Percentage
Negligible
Description
The Wellness Lead is responsible for helping manage the mental and emotional health needs of campers as they arise. Under the supervision of the Wellness Manager, the Wellness Lead provides resources to camp staff, ensuring the camp environment supports a positive state of wellbeing. This position is responsible for advising the Wellness Manager of all updates. This position is also responsible for carrying out supervision of campers, as needed, and supports the camp team with general camp operations.

Main Responsibilities:

1. Ensure the camp environment supports a positive state of wellbeing for campers
   • Provide resources to camp staff to understand how to manage camper behavior, including common triggers and best practice for prevention and intervention.
   • Meet with the camp leadership team to learn about potential campers who need support, brief leadership team and Wellness Manager on campers whom the Wellness Lead has met with and the plans around them.
   • Work closely with the camp leads to support campers who may need one-on-one discussions, and follow up with those campers and the camp leads.
   • Develop and deliver programming that supports and/or educates campers and staff on positive wellness.
2. Respond to campers experiencing challenges with mental or emotional health while at camp
   • Subject matter expert in mental and emotional health, serving as point of contact for camp staff when dealing with a camper in distress.
   • Help calm and soothe campers who might be in crisis, calling for additional support from the leadership team if needed.
   • Meet with camper to assess needs and create camper agreements, with campers, if needed.
   • Provide Wellness Manager recommended action plans for campers who need accommodations or special attention as it relates to mental and/or emotional health, including a decision where that camper should not remain at camp.
   • If needed, speak to caregivers of campers who are struggling to brief them on the situation and discuss recommended actions.
   • Brief camp leads on plans made with certain campers around accommodations or other items that will help them minimize struggles during camp.
   • Report any cases to state welfare agencies if a camper alleges any mandated reporting reasons, including abuse at home or in their home community.
3. Assist unit staff in the direction, supervision, and organization of campers as assigned
   • Apply basic youth development principles in working with campers.
   • Know and implement safety guidelines, including camper supervision standards according to Girl Scout Safety Activity Checkpoints and American Camp Association.

Other Job Duties:

1. Participate in camp staff training and in-service training sessions.
2. Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities, planning and leading those as assigned.
3. Assist with delivery and pickup of camper luggage.
4. Assist in cleaning and maintenance of camp after each session and during end-of-season cleaning period.
5. Drive camp vehicles as needed.
6. Perform other job duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Minimum age 21, preferred.
• Two years of college, desired.
• Possess a background working with children in social work, psychology, counseling, family therapy, or a similar field.
• Have a background working with children in crisis situations.
• Able to lead and problem solve effectively.
• Able to respond and support mental health crisis situations in a calm manner.
• Able to advise camp director and wellness manager in acting when a camper might be in need of services beyond what camp can provide.
• Current certification in first aid and CPR, desired (training is provided).
• Valid Driver's License with a clean driving record.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to function independently.
• Highly responsible and trustworthy.
• Desire and ability to work with children outdoors in varied conditions.
• Ability to motivate and maintain effective working relationships with staff from diverse cultures and all organizational levels.
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills.

Physical Aspects of the Position:

• Ability to communicate in English to provide necessary instruction to campers and staff.
• Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.

OTHER WORKING CONDITIONS
We are a Girl Scout camp. We expect this position to work collaboratively and closely with Girl Scouts for the greater part of the role. Some physical requirements of this position could be endurance including standing, some bending, stooping, and stretching. Requires the ability to listen to others, observe others' actions, read text and information; comprehend instructions and manuals, and physical ability to move about the camp property in various environmental conditions. Willingness to live in a camp setting and work irregular hours delivering program in the facility available. Operate with daily exposure to the sun and heat and other environmental conditions. While performing the essential duties/responsibilities of this job, the employee lives for up to 12 weeks in close proximity to others, including sharing living quarters, restrooms, laundry facilities and a common staff lounge. Use of personal electronics (such as computers, phones and other devices) is limited only during personal designated breaks and out of sight of campers. Multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment is an integral part of this position, as is the ability to work with high-stress situations based on the nature of GSHCC mission and daily work.