Specialty Counselor-Aquatics Camp

Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Program Director, the Specialty Counselor is responsible for the overall operations and program management of the Aquatics Camp Specialty Curriculum including participant and parent relationships, supervision of participants, creation of program activities and keeping track of supplies. In addition, the individual in this position is responsible for ensuring that the program adheres to the YMCA of South Florida’s Risk Management policies and procedures.

Essential Functions / Job Duties:
• Develops and plans age-appropriate activities for the Specialty Components of the Aquatics Summer Camp.
• Develops lesson plans for the Aquatics Specialty Camp.
• Ensures compliance with requirements, including staffing appropriately and monitoring day-to-day operations, activities, curriculum planning, programming implementation, and to ensure use of mandatory curricula.
• Implements well-organized and well-varied activities.
• Creates a positive atmosphere, which boosts self-esteem and general self-concept of all participants.
• Communicates clearly and regularly with parents about the program and their child’s participation.
• Partners with facility personnel to ensure cohesive relationship is maintained and facility is used properly.
• Monitors equipment and facilities for safety and security purposes.
• Works with the Program Director to ensure that all standards required, and the YMCA are complied with fully. Maintains close communication with Program Director of all issues concerning the program.
• Upholds all YMCA policies and Risk Management / Safety procedures which require reporting all incidents and accidents within 24 hours to the Program Director/corporate office.
• Communicates all programmatic issues and information immediately to supervisor.
• Documents behavior issues and/or incidents daily, as needed.
• Ensures that the proper staff to child ratios are always maintained and reports discrepancies to the Director, as needed.
• Demonstrates, model and gear program to the needs of individual children with concerns for their interests, disabilities, special talents, and developmentally appropriate activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (i.e., Leader, Team Leader, Multi-Team / Branch Leader):
Mission Advancement: Reinforces the Y’s values within the organization and the community. Effectively communicates the benefits and impact of the YMCA’s efforts for all stakeholders. Implement effective systems to develop volunteers at program and fundraising leadership levels.
Collaboration: Develops strategies to ensure staff and volunteers reflect the community. Builds and nurtures strategic relationships to enhance support for the YMCA. Communicates for influence to attain buy-in and support of goals. Provides tools and resources for the development of others.
Operational Effectiveness: Integrates multiple thinking processes to make decisions. Involves members and community in the development of programs and activities. Ensures execution of plans. Institutes sound accounting procedures and financial controls. Assigns clear accountability and ensures continuous improvement.
Personal Growth: Fosters a learning environment embracing diverse abilities and approaches. Creates a sense of urgency and positive tension to support change. Anticipates challenges that can sidetrack or derail growth and personal learning. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities / Position Requirements:
• A high school diploma or GED.
• Stage 4 level Swimmer.
• Experience with Specialty Areas Assigned / background in Aquatics preferred.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• A minimum of two (2) years’ work experience with school aged children
• Ability to relate to both children and adults; understand, practice and model YMCA Character Development values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.
• Must be able to implement curriculums and provide instruction to participants at a basic level,
• Must excel in both written and verbal communication.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to interact with individuals at all levels,
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification within 30 days of hire.

It is the responsibility of the Site Director to complete and maintain all necessary certifications, within the proper timeframe, as set forth by either the licensing agency, State of Florida, or the YMCA of South Florida.

Position Profile
• Outgoing personality.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and writing).
• Innate desire to provide excellent customer service.

Work Environment:
The work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work with outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
• Works in an indoor/outdoor environment
• Indoor and outdoor facilities (e.g., childcare, and recreational sites); exposure to heat, cold, work on slippery or uneven surfaces.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
• Will be required to drive for meetings, training, and other work-related duties.
• Exposure to viruses, blood borne pathogens that require use of personal protective equipment.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.
Being in good physical health with full range of body motion, including manual and finger dexterity and eye/hand coordination. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Occasionally requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
Employment at the YMCA is at will. It is purely voluntary, based upon the consent of both the Association and the staff members. No expressed or implied contractual rights should be inferred from this job description.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to submit to and satisfactorily clear a thorough Level II fingerprinting background screening.

As a Drug-Free Workplace, all new hires must successfully complete a drug test. Please note Medical Marijuana cards do not exempt you from successfully passing your drug test.

The YMCA of South Florida is committed to the policy of Equal Opportunity prohibiting discrimination in the workplace because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, political affiliation, age or disability.