Counselor - Adventure Specialist - Mill Hollow

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Adventure Specialist at the YMCA of Northern Utah maintains a supportive, positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals, promotes the potential of all youth, and provides a quality experience to both youth and their families. The Adventure Specialist is responsible for planning and implementing the Adventure programs at the YMCA. This is a seasonal position.

This job announcement is not intended to be inclusive of all functions, responsibilities and qualifications associated with the position, however, representative of the essential job functions and typical criteria considered necessary to successfully perform the position.

• Responsible for working with a cabin group of youth ensuring their physical and emotional safety is secured for the duration of the camp session while making every effort to progress each camper’s development by maintaining a supportive, positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals, promotes the potential of all youth, and provides a quality experience to both youth and their families.
• Safely facilitate and implement any and all of the following: low ropes programming, team building initiatives, and lifeguarding watercraft.
• Follow instruction from all leadership staff and/or camp director to administer adventure programming.
• Advise Camp leadership on maintenance requirements of all adventure equipment that fall outside of the specialist’s knowledge and skill set     
• Follows all policies, procedures, and standards as established by the law or the Y (e.g., safety or emergency procedures, behavior guidance strategies, child abuse prevention policies); makes ADA accommodations where appropriate; maintains the program site, equipment, and required program records.
• Nurtures youth through purposeful programming; plans activities that are intended to achieve program goals and outcomes, are culturally relevant, are developmentally appropriate, and are consistent with the Y’s values.
• Creates a positive rapport and shared interest with all youth; models relationship-building skills in all interactions.
• Provides opportunities for youth to lead, problem-solve, and make decisions and choices within the program and provides daily opportunities for youth to reflect on and respond to their experiences.
• Provides and welcomes ongoing dialogue with parents and caregivers about their child’s needs and progress; connects families to the Y.
• Attends and participates in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training.
• Work alongside entire camp staff throughout the program week and on the last day of program to clean the facility.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

*This is not an exhaustive list of job duties. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & 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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to plan, lead, and participate in program activities in a variety of outdoor settings.
• Ability to plan, lead, and participate in program activities in a variety of indoor and/or outdoor settings.
• Ability to work in excess of a 40-hour week with irregular work hours.
• Staff are expected to live on site during the work week (Sunday-Friday). Staff can expect to work long hours, with 1-hour minimum break time during full workdays.
• Ability to walk, stand, and sit (including on the ground, in water, and at heights) for long periods of time.
• Exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.
• Must be able to lift and/or assist children up to 50 pounds in weight.
• May be exposed to adverse outdoor weather conditions and air quality at elevations 8,000-10,000 ft
• Ability to respond appropriately and effectively to emergency situations such as but not limited to fire evacuations, severe weather, or a missing camper.

• High school diploma or equivalent; one year or more of college preferred.
• Meets minimum age standards as established by state law and/or the Y.
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications required; will be provided in training if candidate does not have current certification.
• ACA-recognized lifeguard certification required at YMCA Mill Hollow.
• Previous experience/certification in ropes course facilitation preferred, training provided on-site.
• Previous experience working with children in a camp setting preferred.
• Previous experience in one or more areas of camp programming.
• Previous experience working with diverse populations.
• Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.
• Commitment to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

OUR YMCA CULTURE:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.  We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.