CMP Inclusions Counsellor

Be the Spark! Join our dynamic team a YMCA Camp Pine Crest, where every day is different, and you will always be engaged with meaningful work!

YMCA Camping and Outdoor Education offers outdoor experiences that foster personal growth and build community. After taking part in our programs, children and youth return home more confident, independent, and with new friendships. YMCA Camp Pine Crest is an overnight camp serving children, families, and organizations through naturally focussed programs that embody the mission, vision, and outcomes of the YMCA. Camp Pine Crest is made up of 650 acres of Muskoka wilderness surrounded by 3 interconnected lakes with 8km of shoreline; has over 26km of hiking trails and 7,500 sq. ft. of dock, and has 60 buildings.

Inclusion Counsellors are at the heart of the camp experience for our Inclusion campers & volunteers. This position gives 1:1 support for inclusion campers in their cabin programming, and 1:1 support for volunteers throughout the different areas of camp. Counsellors provide the assistance, accommodation and extra support required for a camper with specific needs to participate fully in the camp program, as a member of the cabin group, or for a young adult with specific needs to participate in a camp volunteer placement. Inclusions Counsellors work closely with the Inclusions & Volunteer Supervisor to continue finding resources, modifying activities, being an advocate for campers and volunteers with additional needs and assisting in creating an inclusive camp environment.

In this role, you will:

• Work collaboratively within the camp team to provide an inclusive program for children with developmental and behavioural needs, integrating their campers into the camp program as much as possible
• Responsible for getting to know camper(s) and their interests, delivering activities suited to their needs and interests
• Prior to camp Inclusion 1:1 Support Counsellors may be asked to communicate with families, to get to know the individual needs of campers and continue to communicate with the family throughout the session to ensure they are aware of the camper’s successes and any challenges they might be facing
• Actively engage and participate in all camp programs & placement areas with participants
• Ensure campers & volunteers are being safely supervised and supported at all times during their camp experience providing opportunities for all campers to experience success and integrating their camper to the program as much as possible
• Commitment to learning is dedicated to learning the needs of each individual camper and committed to supporting campers & volunteers and adapting activities as required ensuring the successful inclusion of campers & volunteers
• Act as role models to our MACK’s & fellow staff
• Continuously builds relationships with members, staff, volunteers and community partners.
• Act as a positive role model for all participants and fellow staff through embodying the values of the YMCA, following all YMCA camp guidelines, YMCA policies and procedure, and Ontario Camps Association guidelines
• Perform other duties as assigned

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter

You bring:

• Standard First Aid, CPR-C, and NLS required by the first day of employment and valid until at least the last day of your contract
• Minimum 18 years old by the start of contract
• Post-secondary education preferred in a related field (Personal Support Worker, Early Childhood Education, Child and Youth Worker, Ontario Certified Teacher, Resource Teacher, Social Worker, Developmental Support, Educational Assistant, Recreation and Leisure and/or training in the fields of psychology and experience working with children and adults with differing abilities and diagnosis)
• Minimum 1 year experience working with children/youth with disabilities or additional needs
• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada and be authorized to work full time hours (37.5 hours per week)
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and be adaptable to change
• Demonstrated organizational skills and detailed oriented
• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work in a team environment and independently to achieve optimal collective results
• Well-developed interpersonal, and relationship building skills; ability to establish rapport and excellent communication with members, staff and volunteers
• Ability to provide mentorship and guidance to both inexperienced and seasoned staff
• Ability to deliver feedback in a timely and constructive manner to participants
• Extensive knowledge of canoe and kayak tripping, including White Water
• Flexibility regarding assigned working hours, including days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays required
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging

If you are interested in this position and do not possess the necessary certifications and require assistance in attaining them, please indicate in your cover letter. Certain certifications may be eligible for Financial Assistance through the YMCA of Greater Toronto, or through referral to additional programs outside the YMCA that offer similar support. Eligibility is to be determined on an individual basis

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here.

Joining the Y means contributing to over 165 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services like health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2020–2025 strategic plan, Ignite the Light, which outlines how we are focused on boosting well-being and promoting equity across the Greater Toronto Area.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here.

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.

Check out the next steps in our recruitment process and see what others are saying about working at the YMCA.