Intervention Specialist

EASTERSEALS CENTRAL ILLINOIS•Hudson Township, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Ready to lead a team that creates life-changing camp experiences? As an Intervention Specialist, you’ll guide, support, and inspire staff while helping ensure every camper has a safe, meaningful, and joy-filled summer. Nestled on 170 beautifully wooded acres along Lake Bloomington in Hudson, IL, Timber Pointe Outdoor Center is a one-of-a-kind outdoor recreation and summer camp experience operated by Easterseals Central Illinois. As the premier accessible outdoor center in Illinois, Timber Pointe offers specialized, inclusive, and adaptive lodging, programming, and activities designed to empower campers of all abilities — from traditional day and overnight camps to weekend retreats and partner group experiences. At Timber Pointe, everyone gets to explore, learn, and grow. Campers enjoy classic summer adventures like zip-lining, horseback riding, boating, archery, arts & crafts, fishing, target sports, and more, with adaptive supports that ensure everyone feels included and capable. What truly sets Timber Pointe apart is its mission: to provide a safe, joyful, and empowering environment where individuals with disabilities or life-altering illnesses — as well as campers of all abilities — can build independence, confidence, meaningful connections, and lifelong memories. The Intervention Specialist, as one of Timber Pointe’s Summer Support Staff members, has a key role in creating a camp community full of meaningful connection and positive development, a community in which accessibility and adaptation aren’t just ideals but the foundation upon which every experience is built, a community that takes on challenges together, experiences the therapeutic benefits of nature and recreation, and gains new life experiences daily. This position is devoted to being the support system for campers and counselors. Through intentional observation and interaction, they ensure that the needs of each camper are being met and that they feel safe and supported to challenge themselves, try new things, and develop meaningful life skills. The Intervention Specialist thinks outside the box to generate ideas/strategies to equip counselors to develop and promote positive behaviors and choices within campers, successful transitions, effective sensory solutions, and maximum participation in camp life. We strongly believe that success looks different for everyone, and the Intervention Specialist will work with campers and counselors to define, work towards, and celebrate their own strengths, successes, and growth. The Intervention Specialist is passionate and committed to upholding Timber Pointe’s leadership standards by providing training, supervision, coaching and support while acting as a beacon of compassion and empathy within our camp community. They are resourceful and proactive, with advanced knowledge of camper care, positive behavioral strategies, effective communication, and conflict resolution.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED, required.
Minimum of one year of experience working with individuals with disabilities.
Minimum of one year of experience working in a camp environment.
Proven experience in providing behavioral support for youth and/or individuals with disabilities.
Ability to provide direct, effective, and respectful feedback to others.
Ability to build community and camaraderie defined by love, mutual respect, dedication to growth, and playful interactions.
Emotional and physical stamina to engage with a community of campers and staff for 12 weeks joyfully and enthusiastically in a summer camp environment.
Patience, willingness to learn, integrity, adaptability, flexibility, enthusiasm, and self-control
Ability to understand, role model, and follow policies and procedures and to utilize strategies/tools taught during training for professional development and interactions; ability to seek/accept supervision and guidance.
Accepting of differences in ability/religion/ethnicity/culture/race/gender/sexual orientation and/or other diversities. Willingness and ability to treat all campers and staff fairly, regardless of background/preferences.
Perform all essential functions listed while demonstrating the emotional resiliency to handle extended, repeated stressful situations appropriately and be capable of “self-management” of his/her/their own conditions with reasonable accommodations, which can be made without altering the requirements of this role.
Ability to independently navigate, participate in and provide supervision to active/outdoor activities spread out over Timber Pointe’s 170-acre facility, which may include without limitation walking long distances, running, paddling, crouching, reaching, pulling, and lifting 50 pounds or more.
Emotional and physical stamina to engage with a community of campers and staff for 12 weeks joyfully and enthusiastically in a summer camp environment.

Nice To Haves

College experience in Therapeutic Recreation, Special Education, Occupational Therapy, or related field. Preferred, but not required.
Current CPR/First Aid Certification. Preferred, but not required (We will fund a course if not certified).

Responsibilities

Assist Camp Director in supervising and supporting Counselors in the supervision, management, and support of campers. Provide assistance and tools/tips in areas of camper care, including feeding, transferring, toileting, showering, dressing, and other activities of daily living.
Nurture campers’ development, self-esteem, and independence in areas including but not limited to behavior, social interaction, and emotional regulation. Act as a resource, utilizing knowledge and experience to introduce/suggest advanced strategies in these areas to counselors and staff, aiding them in the growth of their own skillset and “toolbox.”
Step in as necessary to provide additional behavioral support for campers with higher support needs, and to provide breaks for staff to process/decompress after challenging behaviors/situations. Know the location of campers at all times if/when under your responsibility.
As needed, facilitate activities in primary program areas (Rock Wall/Zip Line, Arts & Crafts, Giant Swing, Sports & Games, Cooking, etc.), specialty theme activities, and all-camp activities/evening programming.
Assist with and lead set-up, decorating, clean-up, and other tasks assigned to best ensure the success of camp.
Identify and respond to environmental hazards at camp; respond to written emergency plans and verbally issued instructions; assist campers safely and effectively during potential emergencies.
Communicate orally and in writing with campers, staff, and supervisors; complete paperwork as needed and ensure all Counselor paperwork is completed (Camp-unications, etc.)
Attend and participate fully in mandatory training (“Staff Development”) at the beginning of summer, learns and retains information presented in a variety of learning environments (including role-play scenarios), and utilizes this knowledge to provide the best possible experience for campers/guests.
Other duties as assigned.
Live with campers and staff of all ages and abilities in a cabin, helping them adjust to camp life and grow in understanding of other campers/staff and the dynamics of community living.
Provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for campers and staff where they feel comfortable trying new things and communicating concerns. Set campers and staff up for success, recognizing that success looks different for each individual.
Maintain camper and staff confidentiality at all times and respect the confidentiality of support team discussions/responsibilities.
Serve as a mentor/coach to camp staff, Counselors-in-Training, and volunteers, helping them navigate challenges that arise and providing check-ins, encouragement, motivation, and feedback. Monitor the “pulse” of team dynamics and communicate conflicts, performance issues, or potential improvements/solutions to supervisor.
Support Timber Pointe programs and summer staff in the delivery of intentional programs, seeking to maximize fun while increasing connection, autonomy, resilience, and positive self-image for each camper participating.
Utilize adaptive strategies and a strengths-based approach to ensure all activities are universally accessible and in line with the Timber Pointe mission of inclusivity and empowerment. Support facilitation of activities relevant to our population’s needs and abilities, so that all campers are able to participate, recognizing that participation may look/sound different for each camper.
Participate fully in the camp program, including leading or assisting with activities, managing behavior, following the daily schedule, engaging with campers during “down times,” and putting an enthusiastic effort into camp traditions, dress-up days, songs/cheers, etc. (the goofy parts of camp that make it truly magical!)
As needed, provide constant supervision of campers with limited breaks; sleep subject to the understanding of being woken up during the night to assist campers/staff if necessary