Inclusion Camp Specialist (Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA)
Full-Time / Seasonal
$17.17 - $30.91 Hourly
The YMCA of Greater New York is here for all New Yorkers — to
empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community. Founded in 1852, today
the Y serves a diverse population of more than half a million New Yorkers who
learn, grow, and thrive through programs and services at our 24 branches.
Community is the cornerstone of the Y. Together, we connect active, engaged New
Yorkers to build stronger communities.
To help fulfill our mission, we cultivate a culture of learning, leading, and
collaboration to enhance community impact. Through our talented staff and
“LEAP” career framework (Leadership, Empowerment, Accountability, Personal
Growth), we are committed to a people-first approach that fosters trust,
inclusion, growth, and development for all.
The Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA is seeking an Inclusion
Camp Specialist who will be responsible
for creating a safe, positive environment for school-age children with special
needs, and for providing opportunities for learning, interaction, and academic
or personal growth.
Summer Camp
programs operate Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., June through August.
Key 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.
Desired Skills & Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree in special education, social
sciences, social work, counseling, psycholo