What are the responsibilities and job description for the Resident Camp Counselor - Equestrian position at YMCA of Greater Houston?
Brief Description
Position Summary:
Provides direct supervision of groups of children in a seasonal residence summer camp. Cares for and prepares horses for summer camp riding activities. Instructs summer camp riding and horsemanship activities. Maintains safe conditions around the barn, riding rings, trails and surrounding areas. Creates a safe and positive atmosphere that promotes camper safety and engagement. Provides a quality experience to children and parents focused on youth development including the YMCA core values: honesty, respect, responsibility, caring, and faith.
Essential Functions:
Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.
Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
Language Skills
Ability to read, interpret, retain, and teach documents such as safety rules, operating maintenance instructions, and procedure/educational manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of children, parents, staff, members of the YMCA, and/or others, as well as in one-on-one situations.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to apply common sense, understanding, and sound mature judgment to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form, including assisting with curriculum learning. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to be sensitive and alert to the needs, feelings, and safety of others. Ability to ensure children’s safety and maintain YMCA, ACA and state standards and guidelines at all times.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to handle, and/or feel objects, tools, and/or controls; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and taste and smell. The employee must frequently move and/or lift up to 50 pounds and move up to 100 pounds such as furniture, supplies, equipment, children, etc. Possess adequate vision and hearing to safely monitor equestrian environment and participants. The employee must possess the ability to react to emergency situations by loud vocalization, quick movements, strenuous activity, and on occasion assist or lift persons in distress of varying weights. Required to remain alert to dangerous situations while sitting, standing, or walking for various lengths of time.
Current record of tuberculosis examination and/or current local health department regulations, examinations, and/or immunization as required by the local or State Department of Health.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. Nonsmoking and drug and alcohol free work environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and airborne particles, toxic, or caustic chemicals, extreme heat, and/or blood. The employee regularly is exposed to bodily excretions of children, depending on developmental level of children in the employee’s care. The job is working for a YMCA Resident Camp Program located at YMCA Camp Cullen in Trinity, TX.
Qualifications:
The YMCA of Greater Houston provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Position Summary:
Provides direct supervision of groups of children in a seasonal residence summer camp. Cares for and prepares horses for summer camp riding activities. Instructs summer camp riding and horsemanship activities. Maintains safe conditions around the barn, riding rings, trails and surrounding areas. Creates a safe and positive atmosphere that promotes camper safety and engagement. Provides a quality experience to children and parents focused on youth development including the YMCA core values: honesty, respect, responsibility, caring, and faith.
Essential Functions:
- Supervises a group of children in cabins and at activities.
- Plans and implements program activities that are culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate and consistent with YMCA core values.
- Delivers a safe, fun and effective equestrian program
- Maintains current knowledge of all emergency procedures pertaining to horseback activities.
- Maintains constant surveillance of the horse barn and the riding areas when campers, guests or non-equestrian staff are present.
- Knows, understands, and consistently applies safety rules, policies, and guidelines for equestrian activities.
- Follows YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention and emergencies.
- Takes immediate action to ensure safety procedures are followed by campers. Follows up with equestrian director to determine long term solutions/actions, provides timely and accurate reports and follow-ups.
- Responsible for the completing daily tasks related to the physical operation of equestrian facilities, equipment and horses.
- Works with the team to set-up the equestrian area prior to summer camp activities. This includes the completion of feeding, supplementation, health care tasks, equipment set-up, and preparation of horses for work, as directed by the equestrian director.
- Observes all horses closely for behavioral changes and signs of illness or pain. Notes any additional immediate treatments provided to horses and reports any health or behavioral issues that arise.
- Participates in the completion of closing procedures following summer camp activities.
- Carries out care of the camp’s horses and petting zoo animals including feeding, watering, cleaning pens, putting out hay, performing health care tasks, administering medications and supplements under the direction of the equestrian director.
- Conducts check of equestrian facilities and equipment for safety, cleanliness, organization and good repair. Completes general cleaning, organization and maintenance of facilities and equipment. Notifies equestrian director of needed facility and equipment repairs.
- Ensures the availability of water and sunscreen at equestrian areas.
- Submits requests in advance for additional equipment and supplies when needed.
- Evaluates horses as requested, provides feedback, and performs training and behavior modification as instructed.
- Participates enthusiastically with other program staff to prepare camp for summer camper arrivals, departures, and special events.
- Participates enthusiastically in program staff and equestrian staff meetings and trainings.
- Maintains positive relations with guests and other staff. Conveys information on programs and schedules to campers.
- Attends camp marketing events and other special events as directed and other duties allow.
- Represents and promotes the YMCA in the local community and develops positive working relationships with other organizations, businesses, and governmental entities.
- Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community agencies in service delivery area.
- All other duties assigned
Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.
Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
Language Skills
Ability to read, interpret, retain, and teach documents such as safety rules, operating maintenance instructions, and procedure/educational manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of children, parents, staff, members of the YMCA, and/or others, as well as in one-on-one situations.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to apply common sense, understanding, and sound mature judgment to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form, including assisting with curriculum learning. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to be sensitive and alert to the needs, feelings, and safety of others. Ability to ensure children’s safety and maintain YMCA, ACA and state standards and guidelines at all times.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to handle, and/or feel objects, tools, and/or controls; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and taste and smell. The employee must frequently move and/or lift up to 50 pounds and move up to 100 pounds such as furniture, supplies, equipment, children, etc. Possess adequate vision and hearing to safely monitor equestrian environment and participants. The employee must possess the ability to react to emergency situations by loud vocalization, quick movements, strenuous activity, and on occasion assist or lift persons in distress of varying weights. Required to remain alert to dangerous situations while sitting, standing, or walking for various lengths of time.
Current record of tuberculosis examination and/or current local health department regulations, examinations, and/or immunization as required by the local or State Department of Health.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. Nonsmoking and drug and alcohol free work environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and airborne particles, toxic, or caustic chemicals, extreme heat, and/or blood. The employee regularly is exposed to bodily excretions of children, depending on developmental level of children in the employee’s care. The job is working for a YMCA Resident Camp Program located at YMCA Camp Cullen in Trinity, TX.
Qualifications:
- Prefer 2 years of experience riding horses in any discipline
- Prefer 1 year of experience caring for horses in a professional or educational setting
- CPR, First aid and O2 certifications and Child Abuse Prevention training within 30 days of hire date.
- Prefer knowledge of, and previous experience with, diverse populations Other Requirements:
The YMCA of Greater Houston provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
