Inclusion Camp Specialist (Vanderbilt YMCA)

About the role

The Vanderbilt YMCA is seeking an Inclusion Camp Specialist to create a safe, positive environment for school-age children with special needs. Summer Camp programs operate Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., June through August.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of participants in the program by providing appropriate supervision at all times.
• Understand, maintain, and ensure that participants follow Risk Management and safety procedures.
• Keep the immediate supervisor informed daily of any concerns regarding participants, staff, or the facility.
• Develop and implement creative, inclusive outreach strategies to connect with and engage individuals who may face extra barriers to participation, including physical barriers.
• Manage participants’ Individualized Accommodation Plans, student behavioral support plans, and logs.
• Support the implementation of systems for tracking student behaviors and collaborate with staff, caregivers, and teachers to identify individual behavior support techniques for students experiencing challenges.
• Partner with the Camp Director to ensure social-emotional development and behavior management are infused into programming.
• Guide staff on how to effectively implement behavioral strategies in the learning environment.
• Support the planning and implementation of all camp activities, including, but not limited to, summer learning initiatives, field trips, in-camp events, and culminating performances.
• Promote an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful environment that embraces the diversity of all staff and participants.
• Create and maintain a strength-based, youth-focused atmosphere that is consistent and sensitive to the needs of participants with learning, emotional, or behavioral differences.
• Ensure staff are familiar with common mental health support needs (i.e., depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, etc.) and trauma-informed programming approach to support all participants and families.
• Support the creation of a resource center for stakeholders to ensure ongoing support for topics and issues as they arise.
• Provide reliable information about available resources and make relevant referrals for mental health services and additional services as needed.
• Respond appropriately when time-sensitive mental health services are needed, such as suicide prevention, grief, and loss due to the death or incarceration of a family member.
• Implement lessons and training on how to provide additional support and services to enable full participation for those with special needs, both physical and cognitive.
• Conduct technical assistance with YMCA staff in programming related to behavior challenges, engagement, and social-emotional development.
• If applicable, provide task management with Social Work Interns to provide purposeful roles that support the behavioral, emotional, and physical needs of the participants.
• Understand and communicate the YMCA’s core values and the goals of the Summer Camp program to staff, participants, and caregivers.
• Attend all required pre-camp training.
• Actively participate in training sessions, designated meetings, and special events.
• Adhere to all Department of Health, YMCA of Greater New York, and funder standards, expectations, and regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in special education, social sciences, social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field required.
• ME, MSW/MHC student or graduate preferred.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Experience working with children with special needs required.
• General knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, and comfortable working with diverse youth and adults.