Job Details

Counselor Position

Guide and monitor children through successful participation in all aspects of the after school and summer camp programs.

Education and Work Experience:

• High School Diploma/ GED minimum requirement
• Prior youth work preferred
• Must be at least 18 years of age

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide consistent and active supervision, promote group unity, and learn about each individual camper's needs.
• Guide, direct, and monitor children during scheduled activities and programs such as clean up, mealtimes, activities, transitional times and chapel.
• Communicate regularly with the Lead Counselor and Youth Ministry Coordinator, conveying needs and concerns regarding campers.
• Handle any behavior and/or emotional issues under the guidance of the Lead Counselor and Youth Ministry Coordinator.
• Supervise, actively engage, and lead children during assigned program time when on-duty.
• Respond to, and provide opportunities for discussion of individual or group problems or concerns among children.
• Lead Bible activities and spiritually counsel children.
• Review and submit all child-related forms in a timely manner, such as seeker forms, incident forms, and safety reports.
• Develop and implement rules that are compliant with Salvation Army policies and procedures.
• Set a good example for children and others including cleanliness, punctuality, sportsmanship, and table manners.

General Duties:

• Foster and nurture Christian faith and discipleship in visible, fruitful ways in campers.
• Encourage respect for personal property, building equipment and facilities.
• Work alongside and in agreement with the Community Center Director, Youth Ministry Coordinator and Corps Officers.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with all staff, volunteers, children and parents.
• Encourage adherence to community center & Salvation Army policies and procedures.
• Ensure and provide for the supervision and physical/emotional safety of children and staff.
• Participate and/or assist in all after school and summer camp programs as required e.g. chapel, staff meetings, camp wide games, free-time, electives, etc.
• Ensure and assist in the cleanliness of your classrooms and other areas.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Community Center Director, Lead Counselors, Youth Ministry Coordinator and Corps Officers.
• Ensure equipment is returned to corps storage or appropriate designated area upon completion of activity with group unless otherwise arranged.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Be a Christian with a strong, demonstrated commitment to following Jesus Christ, and biblical principles, who is enthusiastic, energetic, and creative in spiritual leadership.
• Possess leadership skills, with the ability to supervise and care for children daily.
• Ability to communicate well with others from diverse backgrounds, ages and nationalities.
• Ability to work in groups and provide necessary guidance to children.
• Ability to observe child behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior management techniques.
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to activity.
• Must be patient, enthusiastic and be able to teach and lead a variety of small group activities.
• Ability to accept supervision and guidance.
• Strong character and integrity, with the ability to adapt to different environments.
• Responsible individual with a desire to work with youth.
• Detail oriented.
• Self-starter.
• Team player.
• Good use of the English language in verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and maintain poise under pressure.
• Good analytical skills.
• Ability and willingness to keep information confidential.

Physical Requirement:

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, hike and twist on a continuous basis.
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to a variety of situations; 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.

Working Conditions:

• There may be phone and in-person contact with people from diverse backgrounds who may be angry, hostile, confused or frustrated.
• May be required to work in all areas of community center including, but not limited to, the kitchen, laundry facility, classrooms and gym.
• The ability to work in a distinctively Christian environment.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases.
• Work outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather.
• Works around dust, odor, and high noise levels.

Miscellaneous:

• The Salvation Army does have a dress code. This will be shared with you at the time of employment.
• The candidate chosen for this position will be required to pass a criminal history information check.
• The Salvation Army provides a smoke and drug free work environment for all employees and volunteers.
• Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.
• The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision and be comfortable working with a high degree of independence.
• May be required to make independent decisions that may involve unique or unusual situations and/or complex issues and dealing with demanding requests or timelines.
• This position has access to confidential and private information. It is essential that confidentiality and privacy be observed.
• An understanding of professional boundaries is required.

Qualifications:

• Education Required: High School or Equivalent or better
• Experience Preferred: Prior youth work preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities