BFT Aspire Camp Staff - Assistant Group Leader Summer Program

Massachusetts General Hospital
United States, Massachusetts, Somerville
399 Revolution Drive (Show on map)
Feb 19, 2025
Aspire is a program of the Massachusetts General Hospital and Partners Healthcare Systems that serves more than 200 participants, teens, and young adults with social cognition challenges, including Asperger's Syndrome, High-Cognitive Autism, Nonverbal Learning Disorder, and autism spectrum disorders. Aspire Adventure Camp serves 100 participants aged 5-13 who have the cognitive capacity for solid peer connections but who lack the understanding and skill set to form those connections. The summer program is an immersive experience in which campers are placed into well-matched groups, with participant-to-staff ratios no greater than 3:1. Participants engage in outdoor education activities, such as hiking and fishing, theme-based curriculum, such as art or recreation, and skill building lessons to support in the development of social skills, stress management strategies, and self-awareness. Assistant Group Leaders (AGLs) play an important role at Aspire Adventure Camp. AGLs work under the direction of more experienced Group Leaders and are responsible for supervising the 4-7 children in their group. AGLs are also responsible for learning social support and behavior management strategies taught at pre-camp training. AGLs model expected behavior and social interactions for children both in their group and the whole camp. AGLs must have a desire to help neurodivergent children develop their social skills, self-esteem, and self-worth while helping them succeed and have fun. We invite neurodivergent candidates to apply. Essential Functions (Key Roles & Responsibilities)* 1. Lead a group of 4-7 campers through daily camp activities, actively engaging with them during the activities, transitions, and down time. Model engaged behavior when participating in Specialist-led activities. Use Aspire-taught therapeutic interventions to support your group members to participate in each activity to the best of their abilities. 2. In collaboration with your Group Leader, supervisor, caregivers of your participants, and the individual, design clear and appropriate goals for each group member. Review your group members' goals with them daily, assess progress, and design interventions to foster further growth. 3. Help your group members develop and practice social skills, stress management strategies and self-awareness. With your supervisor and Group Leader, identify skill deficits shared among group members in these three areas and select or design and deliver lessons during daily Morning Meetings with your assigned group. 4. With your Group Leader and supervisor oversight, co-plan and co-run activities for your group during Morning Meeting and Group Leader-led blocks. 5. Attend and participate in all staff meetings, trainings, supervision, and planning sessions as relevant to the role; these are scheduled during assigned staff hours. 6. Maintain the rules of confidentiality and all HIPAA expectations. 7. Complete pre-camp participant record review forms, daily progress notes, communication logs, incident reports, end-of-camp summaries, and other forms in a timely manner. Plan for and actively participate in a mid-summer conference with the parent(s)/caregiver(s) of each group member. 8. Communicate professionally with the parent(s)/caregiver(s) of children in your group. 9. Be an active participant in your supervision process; this includes setting goals in discussion with your supervisor and incorporating feedback provided. QUALIFICATIONS Education Degree: High School Diploma or Equivalent Required or Preferred Licenses and Certifications Work Experience Prior experience working with children and adolescents Required or Preferred Prior experience working with neurodivergent children and/or adolescents Required or Preferred Physical Requirements Standing (67-100%) Walking (67-100%) Sitting Constantly (67-100%) Lifting Occasionally (3-33%) 20lbs - 35lbs Carrying Occasionally (3-33%) 20lbs - 35lbs Gross Manipulation (Handling) Constantly (67-100%) Fine Manipulation (Fingering) Frequently (34-66%) Feeling Constantly (67-100%) Vision - Far Constantly (67-100%) Vision - Near Constantly (67-100%) Talking Constantly (67-100%) Hearing Constantly (67-100%) The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.