Counselling Coordinator

Counselling Coordinator 

Number of Positions: 2

Reports To: Health Care Supervisor

Compensation: $115/day + meals and accommodation

Locations: Camp Woodeden (London, ON) and Camp Merrywood (Perth, ON) each require 1 Counselling Coordinator

Employment Dates and Compensation:

June 2025 – August 2025.

Overview

At Easter Seals Ontario, we provide overnight camping opportunities for kids and young adults with physical disabilities. Each summer we welcome staff from all over the world and pride ourselves on providing an awesome pre-camp training, so our staff are equipped with all the skills they need to give our campers a great experience. Our camps make many traditional summer camp activities accessible and inclusive, such as swimming, boating, archery, high ropes, and more! Check out our website to learn more about our locations in Perth, Ontario and London, Ontario.

Reporting to the Healthcare Coordinator, the Counselling Coordinator is an integral part of the Leadership Team and shares responsibility for planning, implementing, and overseeing an inclusive, anti- oppressive, camper-focused camp program and culture. The Counselling Coordinator is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the camp program as it relates to the counselling team, PSWs, and camper care and directly supervises the Cabin Leaders. The Counselling Coordinator will work closely with the Healthcare Coordinator to ensure Program Counsellors and Personal Support Workers are supported in their roles within camper cabins.

Summary of Essential Job Functions

• Work as an integral member of the Leadership Team.
• Assist in the recruitment and hiring of the summer camp counsellors.
• Assist in planning staff training/pre-camp and provide opportunities for staff development throughout the summer and shares responsibility for planning, implementing, and overseeing an inclusive, anti- oppressive, camper-focused camp program and culture.
• In coordination with the Healthcare Team, develop staff training related to camper care including bathing, showering, brushing teeth, hair care, dressing, toileting (changing incontinence pads), clean intermittent catheterization, feeding, lifting and transferring, and any other activities of daily living.
• Work with the Recreation Supervisor and Leadership Team to implement a risk management plan for the camp.
• Responsible for camper safety and issues, including camper care and discipline, staff cabin assignments and responsibilities.
• Ensure that cabin programs (hang time, cabin choice, etc.) are of a high quality, challenging, creative, and safe programs for campers of all ages and abilities.
• Meet regularly with the counselling staff.
• Supervise and evaluate the cabin leaders, counsellors, personal support workers, and volunteers on a regular basis, both formally and informally based upon their personal goals, and provide them with written evaluation midway and upon completion of their contract.
• Liaise/mediate between the cabin staff when conflicts arise.
• Ensure proper completion and timely submission of all reports.
• Adhere to and support all camp policies, procedures and guidelines as detailed in the Camp Resource Manual, Leadership Team Manual, Camper Care Manual, and Healthcare Manual. Be familiar with the OCA standards Ontario Regulations pertaining to Recreational Camps.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Senior Manager of Recreation and Facilities.

Physical Aspects of the Position

• Ability to communicate and work with groups and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff.
• Ability to observe camper and staff behaviour and apply appropriate behaviour-support techniques, enforce appropriate safety regulations, and lead emergency procedures.
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.
• Able to manage lifting, some bending, stooping, and stretching as well as daily exposure to the sun and heat and varying environmental conditions.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum age: 18 years old

2 years senior camp experience preferred, G Class license or willing to obtain, Preference given to those who have studied in a child development related field. Standard First Aid/CPR certification is required prior to the start of the camping season. Experience providing day-to-day personal care required.

Other Considerations

• Work part-time offsite from December – May and full-time onsite from May – August.
• Clear background check required.
• Easter Seals Ontario camps are accessible and provide camping experiences to kids and young adults with disabilities.
• It is required that all staff be fully vaccinated against Covid19 and follow the health and safety recommendations provided by Provincial and Regional Health Units.
• Camp staff members are required to participate fully in the camp activities. This may include swimming every day, sailing, dressing-up and working with children/youth all day.
• Should be capable of lifting and transferring 15 – 25 kgs in a safe manner.
• Onsite housing provided for camping season; meals provided during camp sessions.
• June – August eight-day work period, 24 hours/day on call with scheduled breaks throughout the day and three days off between sessions.
• Required to be on-call for one of the changeover periods during the summer.

Easter Seals Ontario welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Easter Seals Ontario fosters an environment of inclusivity, empowerment, and safety for participants and staff alike. Easter Seals Ontario is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, colour, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical, mental or sensory ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws of Ontario.