What are the responsibilities and job description for the Summer Day Camp Lead Counselor position at YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids?
Description
NOW HIRING FOR SUMMER 2025! West Ottawa YMCA Summer Day Camp is located at Lakeshore Elementary. With an awesome playground and a lot of trees for shade, our programs spends lots of time outdoors - thanks to the Lake Michigan breeze for keeping us cool. Our program is smaller in size, which helps us get to know each child well. Program days are packed with a variety of activities, including wheel days, water days, and weekly field trips around Holland and surrounding cities
OUR CULTURE:
Guiding Principles describe our behaviors to support our organization’s work throughout its life in all circumstances, irrespective of changes in goals, strategies, and leadership. Our Guiding Principles are as follows: We CULTIVATE-We grow staff and volunteer leaders who will be stewards of the Y mission, resources, and opportunities. We OWN-We think long-term and act on behalf of the organization, beyond our own team. We WELCOME-We are inclusive of all people and all communities. We SERVE-We provide timely and excellent service to members, volunteers, community, and each other. We LEARN-We are never done learning and always seek to improve. We are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them. We UNITE-We work together to achieve big goals and speak as one voice. We RESPECT-We treat others with kindness and speak positively about other people in all situations. We PLAY-We celebrate, appreciate, and have fun!
The YMCA of Great Grand Rapids utilizes a Membership By Design framework, which is a member involvement and community building model for YMCAs across the country. All staff members—front-line, management, full- and part-time—and volunteers have a role to play in member engagement. These responsibilities can be broken into six steps:
- Enrollment: Staff and volunteers encourage potential members to enroll in programs and activities that meet their needs.
- Satisfaction: Staff and volunteers ask members continually about their satisfaction with a program or activity, track responses, listen to suggestions, and respond promptly in a manner consistent with the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
- Relationship Building: Staff and volunteers are open, friendly, and approachable to all YMCA members and participants. Staff and volunteers initiate interaction with and between members.
- Education and Conversion: Staff and volunteers know about and share their knowledge of the YMCA, its programs, its policies, its mission, its values, and how it benefits members and the community.
- Volunteerism and Leadership: Staff and volunteers create opportunities for members to volunteer in their areas of interest, and they ask members to do so whenever appropriate.
- Ownership: Staff and volunteers encourage members to “own” the YMCA, using words such as “we,” “us,” and “our association” (and actions that match those words) to include members as well as staff and volunteers.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Day Camp Lead Counselor will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of their assigned group or groups; and for its staff, participants, and the overall Day Camp program. This position requires face-to-face leadership in this program. This is a seasonal position that runs from early June through mid-August. Day camp programming operates Monday – Friday. Staff shift times vary.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Implementation of the DC program and activities
- Provides on-site supervision and safety of the assigned group
- Provides positive interactions with youth
- Maintains adequate rosters for program and makes periodic reports
- Confers with parents regarding facility activities, policies, and enrollment procedures
- Confers with staff regarding child's behavioral or learning problems, and recommends methods of modifying inappropriate behavior and encouraging learning experiences
- Arranges medical attention for ill or injured child in accordance with parental instructions
- Performs child care supervision and duties during absence of regular counseling staff
- Enforces safety standards and follows emergency procedures
- Manages daily supervision of 2-6 program staff
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Association’s policies and applicable laws
Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids Association
COMPENSATION
$16.43 - $20.54 ; Seasonal; Non Exempt (up to 40 hours/week)
BENEFITS:
- Free YMCA Individual Membership
- 12% retirement contribution upon eligibility, learn more here.
- 403(b) retirement savings account
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
- Access to the Employee Assistance Program and resources for you and your family
- Community Discounts, and more!
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- At least two years of instruction toward Bachelor’s Degree (BA) from a four-year college or university preferred
- One to three years of documented programming with youth or teaching related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Past supervision experience preferred
- Ability to teach and role model the Core Values of the YMCA and use of 21st century life skills
- Good character and ability to adapt to camp setting; enthusiasm, sense of humor, patience, and self-control
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) (required)
- First Aid Certification required within the first 60 days
- AED-Oxygen Certification required within the first 60 days
- Blood Borne Pathogen training
- State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT
- DHS clearance
- Fingerprinting
- Negative TB test
YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:
Functional Expertise
- Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment.
- Uses best practices, guidelines, and industry standards as a framework to improve performance.
Developing Self & Others
- Supports members, participants, or project teams in achieving their goals.
- Reflects on and learns from successes and mistakes.
- Proactively shares information, experiences, lessons learned, and suggestions to help others be more successful.
- Volunteers for challenging tasks or projects in an effort to grow and develop.
- Solicits and is open to informal learning opportunities to gain insight (e.g., performance feedback, coaching, and stretch assignments).
Inclusion
- Embraces all dimensions of diversity (i.e., ability, age, culture, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, income, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, etc.) by treating all people with dignity, compassion, and respect.
- Creates a safe environment in which others feel welcome and respected.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
TRAVEL
0-5% of local travel within the state of Michigan; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for educational conferences or training.
Salary : $16 - $21
