ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP’s extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to senior citizens, from school-aged children to homeless families, from non-profit organizations to local employers.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Under the supervision of the Director and Assistant Director, Counselors will work with participants, ages 8-22, in a recreational setting to provide an array of fun and educational opportunities. Camp Rainbow is an annual summer camp serving children ages 8-22 with disabilities. Campers enjoy a variety of experiences, including outdoor activities, swimming, cooking, art, tennis, fitness, and weekly field trips. For more information, please visit:  Camp Rainbow - DHSP - City of Cambridge, Massachusetts (cambridgema.gov)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Be involved with the children as a caring and respectful adult, facilitate their play, and respond with sensitivity to their needs.
• Share in classroom responsibilities as assigned by site supervisor (activity planning, setup and break down and classroom maintenance/classroom cleaning).
• Participate in planning and conducting activities such as arts & crafts, music, sports, and games.
• Monitoring, supervising, and assisting as needed during various recreational and sports activities during the day (including participating in swimming and tennis)
• Supervise and provide proximity support to children and teens during outdoor play, swimming, tennis, and field trips.
• Bus monitoring in the morning and afternoon (2-3 times per week).
• Maintain constant communication with Director and Assistant Director.
• Provide assistance with changing and some toileting needs.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be First Aid trained within 3 weeks of hire.
• Practical experience working with children with special and diverse needs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrate verbally, basic clinical/diagnostic understanding of children's needs.
• Have a basic understanding and/or willingness to be trained in Positive Behavior Support techniques.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Attend trainings prior to the start of camp.
• The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PREFERRED QUALIFCATIONS:

• Demonstrate understanding of Child Development.
• 2 years’ experience working with youth who have diverse and special needs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, WORK FLEXIBILITY AND ACCOMODATIONS:

• The noise level in work environment is moderate to very loud.  The work environment includes classroom and outdoor playgrounds and occasional field trips.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, walk, and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to run, during play or responding to an emergency. 
• Employees are frequently required to engage with children on the floor and at their eye level.  Employees are frequently required to use their hands and arms to handle and manipulate objects as well as reach.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move a child. 
• Vision abilities are required for supervision of children.
• Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application.   

• Resume
• Cover Letter

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