Director of Inclusion, Camp Grossman

Do you have patience, empathy, a sense of humor, and compassion? Are you adaptable and flexible? Would you like to help children with special needs experience the joys of being at summer camp? As the Director of Special Needs, you will collaborate with the team to create enriching, supportive, and memorable experiences for children enrolled in the Pathways camp program. Pathways is our inclusion program at Camp Grossman that allows children with a broad range of developmental and/or cognitive disabilities and/or mental health challenges to successfully access Camp Grossman with varying levels of support.

The Director oversees every aspect of the programmatic and operational aspects of the Pathways program, including but not limited to overseeing the program staff and the support services that enable campers with disabilities and/or mental health challenges to access Camp Grossman’s programs and activities, including lakefront swimming, fishing, and boating, arts, drama, sports, games, and more.

Schedule

Orientation takes place the week of June 17th and ends with Visiting Day (a pre-camp visit for all campers and families to meet staff) on Sunday, June 23. The regular camp season begins June 24 and ends August 16 (with the option to work the following “9th Week” for additional pay). The regular camp day runs from 8:15 AM - 4:15 PM, Monday through Friday, with 3 staff meetings on various Monday afternoons and evenings. The Pathways (Special Needs) Director will also work a number of additional family nights and late nights throughout the summer.

Responsibilities  

• Working closely with the camp director and direct reports to successfully meet the program’s objectives.
• Acting as the primary contact for parents to ensure the special needs of the Pathways campers are met; information is conveyed to and received from parents as needed.
• Providing clear, supportive, and effective communication to parents as needed.
• Leading, overseeing, and providing effective support to Pathways campers with disabilities/special needs so that they may participate in all activities throughout the day.
• Planning, preparing and implementing services to meet the campers’ unique individual needs.
• Proactively solve concerns and issues; troubleshoot and provide extra support to campers and staff working with them.
• Ensuring the safety and well-being of campers and staff.
• Leading/Facilitating an environment that is fun/joyful for the campers and staff, meeting the special needs of the Pathways campers.
• Working in partnership with staff and Camp leadership to provide a happy, safe, and memorable summer for the children, aligned with JCC's mission and Vision
• Modeling patience and appropriate interactions with Pathways campers

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Responsible for supervising a large team of approximately 24 staff members during the season, as assigned, including Pathways Assistant Directors, Community Support Advocates (CSA), and Pathways Counselors during the Camping Season. Supervisory responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Training all camp staff to work with our Pathways campers with various needs  
• Supervising and mentoring Pathways staff and counselors; modeling professional behavior and patience in all interactions with campers, parents and staff. 
• Providing effective and ongoing guidance, direction, supervision, and feedback to direct reports on a regular basis.
• Upholding the policies of the organization and aligning work with the overall mission, vision, and strategic objectives of the JCC; reporting any related issues.
• Creating/facilitating an environment where employees can achieve individual goals.
• Building and maintaining a positive working relationship to achieve desired outcomes and the ongoing professional growth of the direct report(s). 

Requirements

Education and Experience:

Requires a Master's Degree in Psychology or (Special) Education, or related field, and 2-3 years’ professional experience working directly with young children with special needs, counseling and BMESH (behavioral, mental, emotional, and social health) challenged students and families. Must have 1-2 years’ experience supervising staff.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC’s discretion to meet minimum criteria.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to multitask and manage situations effectively and diplomatically; ability to adapt to evolving needs and circumstances.
• Superb interpersonal and active listening skills
• Works well independently and with others, building/sustaining collaborative working relationships.
• Ability to build strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Models' maturity, reliability, flexibility and patience
• Displays strong leadership skills
• Strong organizational skills, including teamwork, relationship-building skills, the ability to multitask, the ability to manage situations calmly, effectively, and diplomatically
• Ability and commitment to build strong relationships with campers, co-workers, and camp leadership
• Committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of campers
• Displays a strong desire to make a difference every day
• Displays a positive, proactive, and kind approach while concentrating on providing children with a pleasant and safe camp experience

Physical Requirements:  Requires being present and on-site during the season to provide in-person services. Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities. Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30-40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children’s backpacks, etc.). Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly.

ADA Statement: Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Organization Information

Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to its mission of creating a vibrant, inclusive, and diverse community by nurturing meaningful and lasting relationships. Through our network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs, health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes, JCC Greater Boston provides highly valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends.

JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where their talents and contributions are appreciated. In our recent employee survey, staff gave a rating of close to 90% positive for their experiences in direct management and organizational alignment. If you are interested in upgrading your working experience and/or having a better work-life balance, we encourage you to explore becoming part of the JCC team!

The JCC is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston's core values: Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation, which we hope resonate with all.

To learn more about what makes JCC Greater Boston a wonderful place to work, please visit our careers page at https://www.bostonjcc.org/careers/

JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.

Benefits

In addition to a rewarding position where you care for a community, the JCC Greater Boston provides competitive benefits, including:

• Competitive salary

• Health insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Group life insurance
• Long-term disability
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Discounted childcare at JCCGB Early Learning Centers and after-school program
• Discounted JCCGB camp tuition (50-100% off)
• Generous paid time off
• JCC Greater Boston fitness membership

Benefits are subject to review and change by the organization.