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Employment Opportunities

Summer Camp 2019

Helping autistic children & their families have a fun & positive Summer Camp Experience.

Children At Risk, an Ottawa area based charity supporting families dealing with Autism is pleased to announce the 9th year of Camp Kaleidoscope. This is a dedicated Specialty Camp catering to upwards of 60+ youth each week on the Autism Spectrum that require 1 to 1 or 2 to 1 staff to Camper ratio due to behavioural or developmental needs. The main program runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with before and after care offered from 8 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. with a higher ratio with gym or movie time.

Location: Lester B Pearson High School, 2072 Jasmine Crescent, Gloucester, ON K1J 8M5
Program Dates: July 8 – August 9, 2019 (Monday to Friday excluding 5th Aug)
Compulsory Training: Thursday 4th July 9.30 to 4.30 p.m.

Interested Candidates - Complete CampK Application Here

Contractor GuidelinesContractor Guidelines

Camp Counsellor

Hours:8:45 a.m. – 4.15 p.m. Less 30 minutes lunch break
Pay:Minimum $14.00/hour for a paid 35.5 hours week

JOB SUMMARY:

A Camp Counsellor is responsible for working with an autistic youth on a one-to-one basis in their specific group looking after their daily needs and following the daily program as outlined by the specific groups Group Leader. There will also be off-site trips via school bus, walking to a swimming pool and local splash pads. Additional trips maybe taken by some groups using OC Transpo.

Essential Job Functions:

  • Is responsible for the care and safety of a Camper and their belongings, assigned to them
  • Needs to follow the daily program with their Campers but may need to make modifications based on their Campers specific needs. Needs to follow the daily program with their Campers but may need to make modifications based on their Campers specific needs if the Camper finds a particular activity too challenging or aversive. May need to create own fun to entertain the camper during unstructured times without the use of materials or props. This can be action songs, eye spy, hand clapping games etc.
  • Be watchful as Campers can be runners or will wander if unsupervised. Be aware of Campers lack of safety sense and take appropriate precautions.
  • Where there are life skill deficits, deal with these whilst maintaining the dignity of the Camper. Implement toileting routines to prevent accidents, assist with opening food containers, and implement good hygiene of washing hands before cooking activities and eating and after the use of the bathroom.
  • Understand sensory needs, and other forms of over stimulation which may cause the Camper distress or lead to meltdowns.
  • Use visual Schedules and Pictures (PECS) to communicate with non-verbal Campers and to provide transition warnings or to explain wait periods to avoid meltdowns. Use scale charts so that non-verbal Campers can communicate their hunger level, frustration level, mood, feedback on activities etc.
  • Have fun and model play skills where Campers can learn in the natural environment the art of sharing, taking turns, clean-up, caring for toys etc.

Experience –

  • Experience volunteering or working with youth, in a day program atmosphere a bonus.
  • Previous background/knowledge about working with people with special needs, specifically autism.
  • Knowledge of PECS and visual aids, Non Violent Crisis Intervention and having a CPR/First Aid certificate an asset but not mandatory but you must have a valid social insurance number.

Personal Attributes - This individual must be:

  • Calm, Dedicated, Patient & Dependable to show up on time each day
  • A problem-solver and ability to go with the flow in stressful situations
  • Able to swim or wear a life jacket in shallow water and participate in outdoor water activities.
  • Able to communicate effectively in English, other languages a bonus

Interested Candidates - Complete CampK Application Here

Group Leader

Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. Less 30 minutes lunch break
Pay: Minimum $15.00/hour for a paid 37.5 hours week
Planning Meetings: Thursday evenings during Camp 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

JOB SUMMARY:

Group leaders have three distinct tasks

  1. They are required to set up a Group room that is not over stimulating but inviting to the Campers. Need to also facilitate pack-up at the end of Camp.
  2. They need to plan and effectively implement a creative, fun weekly schedule appropriate to the campers’ functionality and age. The schedule needs to contain core elements of outdoor fun, indoor fun, creativity, mind challenging activities and social interaction and develop key life skills. If their Campers’ require visual communications, the Group Leader needs to organize PECS for their activities.
  3. The Group Leader is ultimately responsible for training in the natural environment the Counsellors in their group, in a supportive manner. They need to make sure that their group works as a team where experienced Counsellors support less experienced counsellors.

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Group Leaders are responsible for the care and safety of both the Campers and the Counsellors in their groups. The Group Leader needs to make sure the Counsellors are supporting the Campers and are coping. They need to be vigilant for physical burn out and mental stress as well as making sure everyone is getting their lunch breaks.
  2. Group Leaders need to walk their team through each Campers’ profile. The Group Leader needs to make sure that the Counsellors know triggers, how to implement suggested calming techniques as well as allergies, food avoidances, Epipens and medication and seizure protocols.
  3. The Group Leader needs to explain the importance of following the daily program with their Campers but how to make modifications based on their Campers specific needs if the Camper finds a particular activity too challenging or aversive and how to implement the transition warnings with the frequency that each Camper needs. Detail how to prevent challenging behaviours from occurring, redirecting, keeping camper busy by engaging them in activities, be aware of any changes in the behaviour/demeaner and anticipate changes in behaviours or triggers. How to calm a Camper down and conclude a meltdown and a room exit strategy should a situation escalate.
  4. Detail how important it is to be constantly watchful as Campers can have a lack of safety sense and inform how to take appropriate precautions.
  5. Where there are life skill deficits, explain how to deal with these whilst maintaining the dignity of the Camper. Implementation of toileting routines, timely changing of diapers, assisting with food containers or feeding of the Camper and implementation of good hygiene, as well as specifics post swimming of drying and changing.
  6. Make sure counsellors understand sensory needs, and forms of over stimulation which may cause Campers distress or lead to meltdowns, especially those that counsellors maybe oblivious too.
  7. Explain how to use visual Schedules and Pictures (PECS) to communicate with non- verbal Campers on the schedule of activities, how to use scale charts to communicate hunger levels, frustration levels, mood, how happy they were with an activity.
  8. Need to go into specifics as to what is necessary to provide their Campers with the best possible Camp experience within the Camp rules and regulations. Explain the Camps’ Fire Alarm procedure and lock-down protocol and their Groups’ safety plan for different locations.
  9. How to have fun appropriately and model play skills where Campers can learn in the natural environment the art of sharing, taking turns, clean-up and respecting property.
  10. Group Leader needs to make sure that the Children At Risk rules are adhered to. Most importantly they need to re-iterate our dress code and cellphone policy.

Experience –

  • Experience volunteering/working with youth in a day program atmosphere
  • Previous background/knowledge about working with people with special needs, specifically autism.
  • Knowledge of use of PECS and visual aids
  • Have CPI's NVCI or equivalent qualifications and working knowledge/experience of one and two person holds.
  • Have a Vulnerable person Police check along with a CPR/First Aid certificate and be a strong swimmer.
  • Have a social insurance number.

Personal Attributes - This individual must:

  • Have the ability to work under pressure, and be supportive to others in high stress situations
  • Have creativity, attention to detail, organization & planning skills
  • Have perseverance, patience, positive outlook/attitude, staying calm
  • Have skills in team management, time management, problem-solving & critical thinking
  • Demonstrate clear communication, good listening & observation skills
  • Demonstrate adaptability, flexibility, ability to anticipate changes in behaviours or triggers
  • Able to communicate effectively in English, and with French would be a bonus

Group 2nd

Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. Less 30 minutes lunch break Pay: Minimum $14.50/hour for a paid 37.5 hours week

JOB SUMMARY:

Group 2nds are a mid-way between the Group Leader and the Counsellors working with both to best support the Campers in their group. Group 2nd’s have three distinct tasks:

  1. They are required to assist the Group Leader in running the Group activities. The group needs to know that there is someone to turn to when the Group Leader is out of the room setting up activities etc. and the Group Leader needs to rely on the Group 2nd to keep things running smoothly.
  2. They need to work closely with the Group Leader on the planning of the schedule so as to be able to cover for the Group Leader should the Group Leader be absent for any reason.
  3. The Group 2nd assists the Group Leader with the training in the natural environment of the Counsellors in their group, in a supportive manner. They need to support all the Counsellors and assist with the Campers.

Essential Job Functions:

  • Group 2nd’s are responsible along with the Group Leader for the care and safety of both the Campers and the Counsellors in their groups. They need to make sure the Counsellors are supporting the Campers and are coping. They need to be vigilant for physical burn out and mental stress as well as making sure everyone is getting their lunch breaks. Group 2nd’s cover the Group Leader for their breaks and vice versa.
  • The Group 2nd needs to assist the Counsellors in knowing the specifics on each Camper - their triggers, how to implement suggested calming techniques as well as allergies, food avoidances, Epipens, medications and seizure protocols. They need to assist where necessary.

Experience –

  • Experience volunteering/working with youth in a day program atmosphere
  • Previous background/knowledge about working with people with special needs, specifically autism.
  • Knowledge of use of PECS and visual aids
  • CPI's NVCI or equivalent qualifications and working knowledge/experience of one and two person holds.
  • Have a Vulnerable person Police check along with a CPR/First Aid certificate and be a strong swimmer.
  • Have a social insurance number.

Personal Attributes - This individual must:

  • Have the ability to work under pressure, and be supportive to others in high stress situations
  • Have creativity, attention to detail, organization & planning skills
  • Have perseverance, patience, positive outlook/attitude, staying calm
  • Be a team player and have skills in team management, time management, problem-solving & critical thinking
  • Demonstrate clear communication, good listening & observation skills
  • Demonstrate adaptability, flexibility, ability to anticipate changes in behaviours or triggers
  • Able to communicate effectively in English, and with French would be a bonus

Interested Candidates should read the job descriptions for Both Camp Counsellor and Group Leader and Complete the CampK Application form here Here

Group LeaderGroup Leader

Camp CounsellorCamp Counsellor

Group 2ndGroup 2nd