Description

                                     Aquatics Assistant Job Description

The Justice Education Center’s mission is to improve the lives of children, youth, and adults through increasing community safety, reducing crime and violence, and providing educational and wellness opportunities for Connecticut’s children, youth, and families. In keeping with The Center’s mission, Camp Inspire’s goal is to provide children with the opportunity to engage in fun and educational activities surrounded by the wonders of nature year-round, while building self-esteem, forming new friendships, developing empathy for others, developing positive relationships with staff members, and learning mediative leadership skills.

                      Job Title:   Aquatics Assistant

             Classification:   Seasonal Employee 

      Age/Qualifications:  18 years of age and older, training possibly available

                  Reports to:   The Aquatics Assistant is a member of the Aquatics and Camp Staff.  S/he reports 

                                       to the Aquatics Director

                    Salary:           $800 - $1100 per week

Position Purpose

To serve as a member of the camp staff to further the mission of The Justice Education Center and Camp Inspire through assisting in the planning, implementation, maintenance, and evaluation of activities at the camp’s pool that are safe, fun, and developmentally appropriate to the camper’s age and abilities. To help maintain the physical operation of the pool’s facilities and equipment.  To guard and teach swimming skills 

as assigned.

Essential Job Functions

1.     Help plan, implement, and supervise a safe and fun Aquatics program for campers and staff.

­  Write (with the help of the aquatics director) lesson plans that meet camper needs and camp goals

­  Assist in the Evaluation of aquatics abilities of campers and staff.

­  Deliver creative swim program activities.

­  Report all Swim Lesson progress to the Red Cross in a timely manner.

2.     Participate in all trainings of the camp and the Aquatics staff

­  Participate in all aspects of staff training.

­  Provide a safe and high-quality program consistent with Red Cross, ACA, and State Licensure requirements.

­  Participate in the Aquatics staff evaluation process.

­  Be responsible in fulfilling your scheduled pool and group responsibilities.

­  Participate in weekly in-service aquatics trainings.                                                          

3.     Assist in the management of the physical facilities and equipment in the pool program area

­  With the help of the other Aquatics Staff; Set up pool area prior to and during staff training

­  Teach and monitor proper use of equipment

­  Help in the initial and end-of-season inventory, and store equipment for safety

­  Check equipment, and make (or file for) repairs

­  Conduct a daily check of equipment for safety, cleanliness, and good repair

­  Submit orders for equipment and supplies when needed, to the Aquatics Director, 

or Maintenance as directed  

­  Survey pool area daily, and keep the area free of hazards and debris

4.     Participate as a member of the camp staff in supervision, programs, special events/overnights,             and other all-camp activities and camp functions

­  Work with your assigned group to actively participate in all camp activities

­  Assist in the planning of any special events on or near the pool

­  Participate in aquatics and general staff meetings

Responsibilities of All Camp Staff

 Follow all policies as outlined in the Staff Manual

­  Maintain positive working relationships with campers, parents, and other staff

­   Encourages physical, emotional and growth and positive character development in all campers

­  Practices cultural humility, striving to actively learn about and be sensitive to all cultures

­  Helps to maintain the cleanliness of communal spaces 

­  Care for and maintain any program equipment, supplies, and spaces used including program areas 

­  Any observed risks or facilities in disrepair must be immediately reported to the Maintenance or Management Team.

­  Assist with other job duties outside the normal scope of your job description or contract to ensure that programs run smoothly and safely, or as deemed necessary by the Camp Director.

­  Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities, planning and leading those as assigned         

Qualifications  (Minimum qualifications and experience)

­  Must submit to and be cleared by a background check.

­  Must take sexual harassment awareness training.  (available on line)

­  Must take mandated reporter training (available on line).

­  Previous experience working with children.

­  Must be at least 18 years of age 

­  Current certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding   ARC first aid and CPR for the 

Professional Rescuer, and American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, (WSI preferred but not required). Certification for these may be offered by the camp prior to the season start.

­  Desire and ability to work with children outdoors.  (Prior experience in camping preferred) 

 Physical Aspects of the Position
­  Ability to communicate and work with groups participating (age and skill levels) and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff

­  Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety 

regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques

­  Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related 

to the activity

­  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

­  Ability to swim continuously for 500 yards without undue effort

­  Willingness to work in all weather conditions:  Including the ability to provide aquatics-related programs to campers when the pool is not available due to adverse weather conditions (i.e. electrical storms) or for any other reason the pool might need to be closed.

Requirements

 Must submit to and be cleared by a background check.

­  Must take sexual harassment awareness training.  (available on line)

­  Must take mandated reporter training (available on line).

­  Previous experience working with children.

­  Must be at least 18 years of age 

­  Current certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding   ARC first aid and CPR for the 

Professional Rescuer, and American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, (WSI preferred but not required). Certification for these may be offered by the camp prior to the season start.

­  Desire and ability to work with children outdoors.  (Prior experience in camping preferred) 

 Physical Aspects of the Position
­  Ability to communicate and work with groups participating (age and skill levels) and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff

­  Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety 

regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques

­  Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related 

to the activity

­  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

­  Ability to swim continuously for 500 yards without undue effort

­  Willingness to work in all weather conditions:  Including the ability to provide aquatics-related programs to campers when the pool is not available due to adverse weather conditions (i.e. electrical storms) or for any other reason the pool might need to be closed.