Kids Squad Counselor

WOODRIDGE PARK DISTRICT•Bolingbrook, IL

11d•$16 - $16•Onsite

About The Position

The Kids Squad Counselor is responsible for the daily implementation of the program, assisting in scheduling activities and supervising participants. This role requires individuals to work directly with children in group and one-on-one activities, ensuring their safety at all times. Counselors must use appropriate discipline and language, develop a thorough understanding of Park District and Kids Squad policies, and enforce them positively. They are expected to greet children and parents warmly, help shy children find interests, and be patient with distressed children using positive reinforcement. Responsibilities also include assisting with safety checks, daily activities, setting up and cleaning up, maintaining room and equipment, and communicating any concerns to a supervisor. The role involves interacting with children individually, motivating them, monitoring their health, and being prepared for emergencies. Counselors are expected to tackle problems, seek new responsibilities, generate ideas, and practice self-development. They must present a good personal appearance, attend staff meetings, and maintain an enthusiastic and positive attitude, working cooperatively as part of a team. Communication with supervisors about participant concerns is crucial, as is accurate timekeeping. Leadership in small groups and awareness of the entire group are also key aspects of the role.

Requirements

Minimum of 16 years of age.
Ability to interact positively with parents, participants, fellow staff members.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondences and to speak effectively before groups of participants or employees of organization.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.
Ability to identify and respond quickly to emergency situations.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of one year of prior experience working with children 5 years of age up to the 6th grade preferred.
Obtain and maintain first-aid certification is preferred.
Obtain and maintain adult CPR/AED certification is preferred.
Obtain and maintain infant/child CPR/AED certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Work directly with children in group activities and one-on-one activities.
Insure the safety of participants at all times.
Use appropriate discipline and language with program participants.
Develop a thorough understanding of the Park District’s and Kids Squad policies and operations and enforce them in a positive manner.
Greet children and parents in a warm and friendly manner.
Help shy children find an area of interest and have patience with distressed children, utilize positive reinforcement techniques.
Assist with safety checks of the facilities.
Assist with the daily activities, setting up and cleaning up.
Ensure room and equipment is maintained properly and supplies are stored in an orderly fashion in the appropriate storage closets.
Communicate any concerns or problems with the participants a supervisor.
Have individual conversations with children during class, sit and interact with children daily.
Motivate children while being fair and consistent.
Monitor health of all participants; be aware and prepared to deal with emergency health issues in accordance with Park District policies.
Tackle problems and take independent action, seek out new responsibilities, act on opportunities, generate new ideas, practice self-development.
Present a good personal appearance; wear proper uniform.
Attend all staff meetings and workshops.
Maintain an enthusiastic and positive attitude.
Work as part of a team and motivate others.
Recognize problems, evaluate facts and reach a sound conclusion.
Know when to lead participants and when to step back.
Communicate any concerns or problems with the participants a supervisor.
Use appropriate time keeping method/system to accurately record time worked in accordance with policy/procedure.
Lead participants at assigned site in small groups.
Be aware of the entire group even when engaged in play with a small group.