Inclusion Coordinator for children w/special needs, Camp Kaleidoscope, Summer

Greater Boston, Inc.; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a vibrant and inclusive summer camp where laughter and fun abound! As a Camp Counselor, you'll play a vital role in guiding campers through exciting activities while fostering an environment of safety and joy. This position is perfect for those passionate about making a difference in children's lives, especially for those with special needs. You'll collaborate with a dedicated team to create memorable experiences for all campers, ensuring everyone feels valued and included. With a supportive work environment and great perks like fitness center access, this is an opportunity to grow personally and professionally while having a blast during the summer months!

Benefits

Access to JCC Health & Fitness Center

Free or discounted camp enrollment for employees' children

Supportive work environment

Team camaraderie

Individual autonomy

Qualifications

• High school degree required; college degree in Special Needs or related field preferred.
• 1+ season experience in planning inclusion supports for children.

Responsibilities

• Create an inclusive group dynamic for campers with special needs.
• Ensure safety and well-being of campers during activities.
• Facilitate camper participation in arts, sports, and swimming.

Skills

Relationship Building

Safety Awareness

Leadership Skills

Teamwork

Flexibility

Communication

Initiative

Education

High School Degree

College Degree in Special Needs or Special Education

Job description

Laughter. Fun. Being a role model and making a difference. Camp Kaleidoscope, the JCC summer day camp in Newton, draws creative campers interested in the arts, science, and the outdoors. Camp Counselors and activity specialists guide campers in drama, art, science, sports, swimming, and much more as they develop and build self-confidence. The energy of the camp is lively, playful, and warm, as both campers and staff develop lifelong friendships. JCC Greater Boston offers free bus service for staff from Cambridge, Brookline, Framingham, Sudbury, and Wayland during the season, making it possible for staff to receive transportation from their home communities if needed.

We serve a population of campers with special needs and are committed to fully including them in activities with their peers. Advocate Camp Counselors partner with their co-Counselors and our support staff as a team to create an inclusive group dynamic while facilitating accommodations based on ICPs (Individual Camper Plans) to fully include campers with special needs in their peer groups and activities throughout the camp day. The Inclusion Coordinator role works with our camp leadership team to guide our staff and implement inclusion supports and tools to ensure activities are inclusive for all our campers.

JCC Greater Boston is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston’s core values - Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish.

Primary responsibilities include, and are not limited to:

• Work in partnership with camp staff to create an inclusive group dynamic and facilitate accommodations to fully include campers with special needs with their peers.
• Create and implement support tools as needed (visual schedules, sensory accommodations, etc.).
• Advocate for camper’s needs and abilities.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of campers in structured and unstructured time.
• Create a fun/joyful dynamic.
• Work in partnership with peers and Camp Leadership to provide a happy, safe and memorable summer for the children.
• Facilitate and support camper participation in activities, including arts, sports, and swimming.

Standard staff expectations include and are not limited to:

• Actively create a welcoming dynamic that contributes to an environment where each individual is valued and respected.
• Actively participate as an essential team member.
• Support JCC Greater Boston’s mission, vision, and values of belonging, joyfulness, collaboration, and transformation, including through role modeling.
• Enthusiastically represent the organization, model excellence and achievement.
• Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB DETAILS: This is an hourly position with a daily schedule of 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday. Offering great perks, including JCC Health & Fitness center access, a supportive, vibrant in-person work environment, and a competitive starting pay rate of $18 per hour. The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.

This 8-week camp program is June 23 - August 15. While we prefer candidates who are available all summer, we recognize that candidates may have other obligations and are happy to work with your schedule.

Education and Experience:

• High school degree required.
• College degree, concentration or equivalent experience in Special Needs, Special Education, or similar field of study and/or comparable experience preferred.
• 1+ season (summer camp, semester, other) experience planning and implementing inclusion supports for children in a variety of settings.
• Customer service experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability and commitment to build strong relationships with campers, parents, co-workers, and camp leadership.
• Safety awareness and ability to communicate any issues and concerns with supervisors.
• Exhibits leadership skills, including teamwork, patience, flexibility, and diplomacy.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude at all times.
• Self-starter who takes the initiative.
• Ability to manage situations effectively and diplomatically and ask for help, guidance, or clarification when needed.
• Must be able to work well with others, building/sustaining collaborative solid relationships.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities.
• Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30-40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children’s backpacks, etc.).
• Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly.
• Ability to participate in swimming to supervise children.

ADA Statement: Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

In addition to offering rewarding work and great career opportunities within our mission-driven, values-driven, and family-centric environment, JCC Greater Boston proudly offers employees the generous benefits listed below.

JCCGB Perks! Each seasonal employee is eligible for access to JCC Greater Boston's top-class fitness, recreation, and wellness facility in Newton! Seasonal access to the JCC Fitness Center includes:

• Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal-Sidman JCC during active seasonal employment.
• Free or discounted enrollment for camp programs may be available for camp employees’ children based on availability.

Benefits are subject to review and change by the Organization, and plan documents are the primary determinant.

A Great Place to Work! JCC Greater Boston is consciously evolving as a great place to work! In our recent 2023 employee engagement survey, at least 88% of our staff gave us top ratings on:

• Supportive colleagues.
• Team camaraderie.
• How their managers treat them.
• Individual autonomy.
• Knowing what their work contributes to and how it impacts others.
• Pride in working for the JCC.
• Program and service quality.
• Holding ourselves accountable.

Our staff and leadership bring experience, excellence, and commitment to everything we offer and we are dedicated to a culture where all our employees may thrive. Our culture is built on our values, driven by our mission, and nurtured through the expert contributions of our professionals.