Summer Camp Mental Health Specialist

Description

Our Mental Health Specialist oversees our camper care program. Girl Scout camp is known for exceptional camper care, and it begins with a knowledgeable, friendly and passionate mental health specialist (MHS). Whether it's working with cabins to build group dynamics, working one-on-one with a camper, help a staff member with a personal issue or checking-in with parents, the MHS works to ensure a successful camp experience for campers, staff, year-round professionals, and parents. Whereas our nurses and doctors focus on the physical health of our campers and staff, the MHS focuses on their social, emotional, and mental health of the community. This talented professional is typically a licensed social worker, therapists, clinical psychologist or school guidance counselor.

Responsibilities include:

1. Implement established regulations and guidelines for supervising the welfare of staff and campers.
2. Meet regularly with staff to assist them in providing appropriate supervision and quality camper care.
3. Discuss specific camper/staff concerns, situations and problem-solving plans with the appropriate personnel, camper and/or parents.
4. Inform/update Camp Director of any concerns related to campers, staff or community-wide issues.
5. Communicate with parents after coordinating with the Camp Director.
6. Assist campers and staff who need help adjusting to the camp environment.
7. Develop, plan and facilitate staff orientation session(s) focused on social, emotional and mental health services, support and expectations.
8. Assist as needed in the daily camp program.
9. Participate in pre-season planning meetings and trainings as needed.
10. Other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Provide mental health care to individual staff and campers.
2. Collaborate with other medical staff as needed.
3. Follow health care policies/procedures as described in the staff manual.
4. Organize and maintain adequate resources for serving the mental health needs of the camp community.
5. Maintain accurate and detailed records according to state and American Camp Association Standards.
6. Ensure camp staff and campers know their role related to mental health care.
7. Act as a resource to help screen campers and staff in advance of their arrival.

Relationships

The MHS will have specific relationships with other health care staff which may include volunteer/staff physicians, on-call nurses, or other designated medical staff. It is essential that a positive and respectful working relationship and delineation of tasks be established in advance of the camp season and monitored during the entire summer.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker, Therapists, Clinical Psychologists or School Guidance Counselors with a license as required by the State
• Minimum three to five years experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults preferred
• Desire to work with children and young adults
• CPR certified
• Drivers license

As a Staff member at Camp, all staff members should be able to:

1. Serve as a positive role model for campers and staff of all ages
2. Develop positive relationships with individual campers and staff
3. Adapt well to feedback /criticism, always desiring to learn/grow as a professional
4. React to complex situations, where appropriate make quick decisions and solve problems while protecting the interests of the individual and the camp community
5. Collaborate with staff members and supervisors, asking for help when needed
6. Pay attention to detail
7. Protect the best interests of campers and their staff colleagues

As a Leadership Team member at Camps, responsibilities include:

1. Have an intimate knowledge of camper and staff social, emotional and mental health status at all times recognizing that each individual is unique
2. Participate in regular staff meetings as part of the Leadership Team
3. Participate in ongoing staff training throughout the summer
4. Model positive and appropriate behavior at all times
5. Develop, implement, and supervise unit and camp-wide special events and evening programs
6. Participate in supervision when needed, including evening and night when necessary

*Must successfully complete a criminal, motor vehicle and credit background check.