Assistant Counselling Director

Assistant Counselling Director

Number of Positions: 2

Reports To: Counselling Director

Compensation: $88.00/day + meals and accommodation

Locations: Camp Woodeden (London, ON) and Camp Merrywood (Perth, ON) each require 1 Asst. Counselling Director.

Employment Dates:

Pre-season: March 2024 – May 2024. 5-10hrs/week, remote, flexible. $18/hr.

Camp Merrywood: May 2024 – August 2024, full time, onsite

Camp Woodeden: May 2024– August 2024, full time, onsite

Overview

At Easter Seals Ontario, we provide overnight camping opportunities for kids and young adults with physical disabilities. Each summer we welcome staff from all over the world and pride ourselves on providing an awesome pre-camp training, so our staff are equipped with all the skills they need to give our campers a great experience. Our camps make many traditional summer camp activities accessible and inclusive, such as swimming, boating, archery, high ropes, and more! Check out our website to learn more about our locations in Perth, Ontario and London, Ontario.

Reporting to the Counselling Director, the Assistant Counselling Director is responsible for assisting the Counselling Director in all aspects of the camp program as it relates to the counselling team and camper care. Additionally, the Assistant Counselling Director assumes the role of Counselling Director when the Counselling Director is off-site.

Summary of Essential Job Functions

• Assist in planning staff training and provide opportunities for staff development throughout the summer and shares responsibility for planning, implementing, and overseeing an inclusive, anti- oppressive, camper-focused camp program and culture.
• Work with the Leadership Team to implement a risk management plan for the camp.
• Responsible for assisting with camper safety and issues, including camper care and behaviour support.
• Ensure that cabin programs (hang time, cabin choice, etc.) are of a high quality, challenging, creative, and safe programs for campers of all ages and abilities.
• Responsible for providing appropriate camper care including bathing, showering, brushing teeth, hair care, dressing, toileting (changing incontinence pads), clean intermittent catheterization, feeding, lifting and transferring, and any other activities of daily living.
• Meet regularly with the counselling staff.
• Assist in supervising and evaluating the cabin leaders, counsellors, and volunteers on a regular basis, both formally and informally based upon their personal goals, and provide them with written evaluation midway and upon completion of their contract.
• Liaise/mediate between the cabin staff when conflicts arise.
• Ensure proper completion and timely submission of all reports.
• Adhere to and support all camp policies, procedures and guidelines as detailed in the Camp Resource Manual.
• The Assistant Counselling Director assumes the role of Counselling Director when they are off-site.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Counselling Director or Camp Director.

Physical Aspects of the Position

• Ability to communicate and work with groups and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff.
• Ability to observe camper and staff behaviour and apply appropriate behaviour-management techniques, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures.
• 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.
• Able to manage lifting, some bending, stooping, and stretching as well as daily exposure to the sun and heat and varying environmental conditions.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years old

1- 2 years related experience. Assistant Counselling Director is required to have strong leadership, communication and team building skills, as well as knowledge of the care needs of the campers. Preference will be given to those who are studying/have studied social work, support work, teaching, or healthcare, or who have previous camp counselling experience. First Aid CPR-C required prior to the start of the camp season.

Other Considerations

• Easter Seals Ontario camps are fully accessible and provide camping experiences to kids and young adults with disabilities.
• Must provide clear background check.
• It is required that all staff be fully vaccinated against Covid19 and follow the health and safety recommendations provided by Provincial and Regional Health Units.
• Camp staff members are required to participate fully in the camp activities. This may include swimming every day, sailing, dressing-up and working with children/youth all day.
• Should be capable of lifting and transferring 15 – 25 kgs in a safe manner.
• Onsite housing provided for camping season; meals provided during camp sessions.
• June – August eight-day work period, 24 hours/day on call with scheduled breaks throughout the day and three days off between sessions.

Easter Seals Ontario welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Easter Seals Ontario fosters an environment of inclusivity, empowerment, and safety for participants and staff alike. Easter Seals Ontario is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, colour, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical, mental or sensory ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws of Ontario.