Camp Behavioral Specialist

YMCA Southcoast
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Camp Support Specialist



Position Summary:

The role of the Camp Support Specialist is to coordinate efforts with the Camp Clinician, counselors, nurse, and administration to implement strategies to help campers with a diverse array of abilities and social and emotional needs to positively engage in camp. S/he will communicate with and act as a resource for staff and families. S/he will display and encourage the character traits of honesty, respect, caring, and responsibility and utilize the Character Development Learning Institute approach to Positive Youth Development.

Essential Functions:

• With the Camp Director and Clinician, coordinate the Camper Support Team including co-leading Tuesday morning team meetings to review the Camper Concern Logs.
• The Camp Clinician develops and creates individual support plans that recognize the uniqueness and interest of the child and works with team to ensure supports are in place.
• Coordinate the actions or tasks identified in the Camper Support Plan. Which may include teaching and practicing emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills with campers as well as implementing behavioral modification plans.
• Support the Clinician to act as a liaison to family and/or support systems or collaterals. When directed by Clinician or Director, facilitate communication with families and collaterals to provide updates and to problem solve any challenges. Provide resources when needed.
• Provide on-going training and guidance to front line counselors on how to: minimize common behavior problems and how to work with campers who display a diverse array of emotional and behavioral challenges. Intervene with campers when appropriate to prevent or resolve problems.
• Monitor camp groups for behavior trends. Support Camp Counselors and Clinician to facilitate special topic groups as needed.
• Create a camp culture of positive mental health, trauma informed care, cultural humility, and behavior management.
• Maintain proper documentation.
• Engage in clinical supervision.
• Mandated Reporter

YMCA Competencies:

Mission and Community Oriented: Accepts and demonstrates YMCA values. Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill a community need. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them.

People Oriented: Seeks first to understand the other’s point of view; remains calm in challenging situations. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative in developing others.

Results Oriented: Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high value experience for members. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Makes sound judgments and transfers learning from one situation to another. Establishes goals, clarifies work, and participates in meetings.

Personal Development Oriented: Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths, and limitations, and how they impact relationships. Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change; seeks opportunities in the change process.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Child Development, Social Work, Counseling, Special Education, Psychology, Child Psychology, Human Services, or a related field is preferred; or working towards a degree.
• An understanding of positive behavioral approaches and Positive Youth Development.
• Minimum of Two years related work experience, which includes working with children with emotional and/or behavioral disturbances. Camp experience preferred.
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills and demonstrates professionalism with staff, parents, and participants.
• Experience working with at-risk populations is helpful.
• Computer skills: Word, Excel, Power Point
• Must be able to sit, stand, bend, walk, and be outdoors during the workday.