Pioneer Upper Elementary Counselor

Salary: $650/week

Organizational Mission & Overview

Our mission is to bring out the limitless potential in young leaders through extraordinary experiences and nurturing relationships. At PEAK, we know that with the right support and access to quality programs and experiences, all young people are able to achieve at the highest level imaginable.

PEAKs Four Beliefs

Every living being has inherent value.

The community is better when everyone contributes.

We can only grow when we are honest about our mistakes.

Everyone has the power to change their world.

POSITION SUMMARY:To provide a safe, inclusive, and meaningful experience for campers by facilitating, participating in, and supporting campers through camp activities.

POSITION AVAILABILITY:This position is 40 hours per week and must be available Monday - Friday, June 22 - August 7 with the ability to work either 7:45am - 4:15pm or 9am - 5:30pm (hours will be assigned through conversation with the Youth Programs Manager).

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

• Guide groups of 3rd - 5th graders on a journey of self-exploration, challenge, and fun, over the course of three 2-week sessions.
• Deliver pre-designed programming that offers growth and meaningful progression for youth leadership development with a particular focus on collaboration and communication skills.
• Provide active supervision and attention to ensure campers are encouraged, safe, active and accepted.
• Guide campers through fear, frustration, lots of laughter, bumps, bruises, learning through failure and moments of amazing accomplishment.
• Support campers in setting and achieving their goals for the camp session, and write participation notes for each camper to acknowledge their achievements.
• Counselors may be asked to float to other groups to support campers and counselors as needed.
• May be expected to collaborate with and provide coaching to high school interns.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• This position is compensated at a rate of $650 per week, pre-tax.
• Summer seasonal staff are paid on a bi-weekly basis and are classified as exempt, seasonal employees.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Experience and excitement about working with young leaders.
• Belief that with the right support and access to quality programs and experiences, all young people are able to achieve at the highest level imaginable.
• Enthusiasm about new experiences and ability to self-manage to bring a consistent level of energy all summer long.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and coaching from supervisor and make necessary adjustments
• Ability to work collaboratively with co-workers to achieve program objectives.
• Ability to support, and work with all camper age ranges at camp.
• Commitment to being punctual and adhering to a schedule provided by camp leadership.
• Possess strong communications skills and apply them with coworkers and supervisors, maintaining confidentiality of sensitive staff and camper information when necessary.
• Ability to perform job duties in a fast-paced environment and able to embrace change and be flexible.
• While not required, bilingualism (Spanish/English) would be beneficial.

EDUCATIONAL, CERTIFICATIONS, & LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

• Must be at least 18 and/or have a high school diploma or GED before the position start date to apply.
• While not required, a current CPR and First Aid Certification would be beneficial.
• While not required, an ability to to pass PEAKs motor vehicle background check and driver training and safely drive/transport adults and children in PEAK vehicles, including a 12-passenger van, would be beneficial.
• While not required, a current lifeguard certification would be beneficial.

REPORTING AND RELATIONSHIPS

• The Upper Elementary Camp Counselor reports to the Upper Elementary Camp Coordinator.
• The Upper Elementary Camp Counselor may support and guide high school participant interns while they are assisting with programming.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS

The mental and physical requirements and work environment conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Day Camp programming is in constant motion. Campers and staff are interacting and moving around, doing various vigorous activities throughout the day, indoor and outdoor. This position spends a large portion of the day outdoors, and may remain standing or on their feet for long periods of time.
• Must be comfortable working in a city park as a significant portion of time will be spent at PEAK Program Center in Tiefenthaler Park.
• Staff are required to actively participate in all camper activities, including water-related activities.
• Staff must be ready for new experiences and maintain a consistent level of energy all summer long.
• Position requires standing, stooping, sitting, walking long distances on uneven terrain (5+ miles a day), and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds with or without assistance.
• Camp activities are often loud, involving many people talking, yelling, cheering, etc., in indoor and outdoor settings.
• The camp environment is often hot, rainy, with bugs or other wildlife. Staff must be able to work outside in a nature setting for sustained periods of time without air conditioning.
• All PEAK Initiative properties, including Lake Valley Camp and the Milwaukee Program Center, are substance-free environments. Smoking, vaping, alcohol consumption, and the use of illicit drugs are strictly prohibited on all property regardless of whether or not staff are on break.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

PEAK Initiative is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.