Position: Licensed Mental Health Professional/Camper Care Coordinator

Job Type: Part Time/Seasonal: May-Mid June (5-15 hrs/week), 10 weeks in the summer (40 hrs/week)

The Coordinator is responsible for the positive resolution of camper and staff matters that may arise during the camp season. This role provides meaningful guidance to campers and staff to foster healthy, responsible, and respectful choices. The Coordinator supports staff on topics including, but not limited to, fostering positive social interactions, managing challenging camper behaviors, resolving interpersonal disputes, supporting campers with special needs, addressing homesickness, and promoting self-care. The Coordinator embodies JCC Day Camp’s core values and contributes positively to the summer leadership team. This position requires excellent communication skills and the ability to transition seamlessly between different situations while demonstrating compassion and empathy. Additionally, the role includes participation in pre-camp training and ongoing staff development throughout the summer to ensure compliance with Michigan labor laws and best practices in camper care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serve as a positive role model in the camp community and represent camp values.
• Participate in required supervisor and staff training prior to camp.
• Address camper and staff concerns related to social, emotional, and mental health, safety, and well-being, including but not limited to anxiety, behavior management, interpersonal disputes, homesickness, hygiene, and diagnosed disorders.
• Lead crisis responses, including physical restraints and handling thoughts/comments related to self-harm or suicide, ensuring compliance with safety protocols and Michigan legal standards.
• Communicate with the camp leadership team to monitor and support the physical, social, and emotional well-being of campers and staff.
• Act as a liaison between the summer leadership team, directors, and parents to identify and address patterns or concerns regarding camper and staff behaviors based on daily check-ins and observations.
• Develop and implement training modules and ongoing staff development opportunities on topics such as identifying special needs, responding to challenging behaviors, providing interventions and accommodations, and managing crisis situations.
• Assist staff members in responding to challenging camper situations and provide continued support for behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs.
• Consult with the camp leadership team regarding significant concerns and determine appropriate responses for campers, staff, and parents.
• Observe and document camper situations/incidents, design behavior intervention and/or management plans, and monitor/report progress.
• Ensure that all camper and staff interactions comply with appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures.
• Provide guidance and debriefing sessions for campers and staff following crises or stressful events.
• Offer direct support to staff regarding camper, camp, and personal-related concerns.
• Be present and available throughout the camp day to address immediate concerns.
• Support unit heads by providing targeted training, managing schedules and caseloads, and offering feedback for staff evaluations.
• Make parent phone calls and send emails as necessary to ensure clear communication and issue resolution.
• Maintain comprehensive records of camper care procedures, incidents, and best practices for future reference.
• Collaborate with the leadership team to develop camper intake forms and review camper paperwork while assisting in interviewing potential new families.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Master’s Degree/License in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Mental Health, or a related field.
• Demonstrated clinical knowledge of various treatment techniques.
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) certification.
• Prior experience in a camp setting or similar environment is preferred.
• Experience with children, teenagers, and adults in the areas of mental, social, and emotional health.
• Ability to think critically and respond swiftly in high-stress situations.
• Strong attention to detail in documentation and record-keeping.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with comfort in engaging with children, young adults, and parents.
• Must be empathetic, patient, proactive, and high-energy, with the ability to take initiative.
• Ability to function both independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to work with children and staff outdoors.
• Team-oriented, proactive approach with minimal supervision required.
• Willingness to be flexible and available during summer months, including evenings and weekends, to communicate with families.
• Some physical requirements include endurance (standing, bending, stooping, stretching), manual dexterity for program activities, and normal hearing/eyesight capabilities to monitor camper activities.
• Ability to work in varying weather conditions, including exposure to the sun and heat.
• Must comply with Michigan’s seasonal employment laws, including work-hour restrictions, required rest periods, and protections for minor employees.
• Must adhere to updated state labor laws regarding minimum wage, overtime exemptions for seasonal workers, and workplace safety measures.
• Must pass a background check and Central Registry check in compliance with Michigan state laws.
• Completion of online Sexual Abuse Prevention training (provided by The J) is required.