Job Description – Camper Care Specialist
Mental Health (Youth) Internship – Summer 2021

Background: The URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp is a residential, Jewish summer camp located in Utica, MS that serves campers ages 7-16, who spend between two and four weeks on-site during the summer. We strive to create a healthy, nurturing environment for campers and staff to try new activities, build meaningful relationships, and grow their Jewish identities. We are seeking a qualified candidate to join our team as the Camper Care Specialist.

Qualifications:

  • Dedication to the Jacobs Camp Mission and Vision;
  • Educational experience in social work, psychology, special education, or child development – undergraduate required, masters preferred;
  • Experience working with children and/or teens ages 7-16 in an educational or recreational setting;
  • Maturity and professionalism: must be able to work effectively with other staff, address camper social and emotional needs discretely, and maintain confidentiality in work with campers, staff, and parents;
  • Strong oral and communication skills: must be able to communicate efficiently with staff and parents, as well as maintain proper documentation;
  • High-level organizational skills;
  • Flexibility: must be a team-player and address problems as they arise;

Responsibilities and Key Functions:

  • Partner with Community Care Director to ensure every child within the camp community is happy, healthy, safe, and successful at camp;
  • Provide pre-summer training to staff to provide an introduction child development, age-appropriate behavior, and effective behavior management strategies;
  • Partner with in-cabin staff to meet the individual needs of all campers, especially those who struggle to adjust to the camp community;
  • Manage camper dietary restrictions, serving as the liaison between campers and the summer kitchen staff, as well as collaborating with counselors and unit head to accommodate dietary restrictions as needed in programming;
  • Observe campers in activities to better understand behaviors and social dynamics in order to support in-cabin staff as they navigate and accommodate camper needs;
  • Communicate with camper parents via phone and email, as directed by Community Care Director;
  • Maintain adequate documentation of Community Care Team interventions with campers and staff;
  • Partner with Summer Leadership Team, including Staff Engagement Coordinator and Staff Care Specialist, to create a culture of wellness, inclusion, and compassion within the camp community;
  • Assist the Community Care Director, Staff Care Specialist, and Camp Leadership in other responsibilities, as assigned.

Designated Supervisor: Community Care Director