Kids Squad Counselor

Woodridge Park District•Woodridge, IL

3d•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 an individual to demonstrate the District’s core competencies, including integrity/ethics, job knowledge, interpersonal skills, policies & procedures compliance, work quality, risk management/safety, District/Department vision and values, adaptability/flexibility, dependability, teamwork, and productivity. The counselor will work directly with children in group and one-on-one activities, ensuring their safety at all times and using appropriate discipline and language. A thorough understanding and positive enforcement of Park District and Kids Squad policies are expected. The role involves greeting children and parents warmly, helping shy or distressed children with patience and positive reinforcement, and assisting with safety checks, daily activities, setup, and cleanup. Maintaining room and equipment, storing supplies properly, and communicating concerns to a supervisor are key responsibilities. The counselor will have individual conversations with children, motivate them, and monitor their health, being prepared for emergencies. Initiative, cooperation, a positive attitude, and good judgment are essential. The counselor must also accurately record time worked and lead participants effectively while being aware of the entire group.

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.
Obtain and maintain valid Illinois driver’s license.
Complete Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) online training prior to start date.

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.
Take special sanitation procedures in the event of some illnesses.
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.
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.