BGCA Counselor

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB COUNSELOR

Statement of General Purpose

The Boys and Girls Club Counselor is responsible for planning, organizing, scheduling, and teaching one or more of the sports, recreational, and cultural activities available to groups of children and adults in a variety of CPA programs in Community Centers, summer camps, Boys and Girls Clubs, etc. Activities are structured and varied, and include field trips, athletics, arts and crafts, dancing, theater and drama, computer literacy, swimming, music appreciation, games, childcare, tutoring, health and fitness, nutrition, and others. Reports to: Senior Director of BGCA.

Examples of Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, schedules, supervises, and teaches one or more structured and organized sports, recreational, and cultural activities available to groups of children and adults in a variety of programs, including athletics, arts and crafts, dancing, dramatics, music, health and fitness, etc.
• Knows where each participant is at all times; maintains accurate and current attendance records.
• Recommends and implements improvements in existing programs; identifies, plans, proposes, and implements new activities to meet the needs of program participants and their families.
• Schedules, supervises, leads, and participates in activities, providing guidance, direction, instruction, and motivation to participants.
• Oversees behavior, preventing altercations and injuries through non-confrontational, non-physical, non-threatening techniques; corrects disciplinary problems in an understanding, positive, and non-physical manner; teaches conflict resolution through the development and use of verbal skills.
• Trains, rehearses, and prepares sports, recreation, and social groups for games, contests, exhibits, festivals, shows, etc.; organizes and conducts competitions and related activities, including sports leagues, community intramural activities, and tournament play among area human services agencies and community centers.
• Plans, organizes, and accompanies participants and their families on field trips; eats meals with participants.
• Prepares course outlines and materials for programs and activities.
• Prepares routine and exception reports to management on activities, attendance, participants’ attitudes and progress, etc.; ensures complete, accurate, and accessible files and records for program activities, finances, and operations; provides proper accounting for program monies collected and disbursed.
• Participates in effective public relations efforts, such as timely publication and distribution of announcements, schedules, invitations, etc.
• Assists in ensuring adequate inventory of supplies and equipment; assists in preparation of requisitions for additions and replacements; assists in receiving and storing of ordered materials; ensures neat, clean, and secure storage.
• Ensures that program environment is neat, clean, and safe for participants, parents, volunteers, parents, and others; ensures compliance with health and safety requirements; identifies and reports indications of child abuse, health problems, and other problems to management.
• Participates in in-service and outside staff training and development programs, supervisory meetings and conferences, etc.; utilizes training and educational opportunities to augment skills and abilities; applies new skills to improve services to program participants.
• Develops knowledge, awareness, and working relationships with social, educational, and human services programs and other resources available to program participants and their families.
• Participates in meetings with management, peers, staff, participants, families, volunteers, community agencies, etc. to maximize services, minimize costs, identify and resolve problems, etc,
• An occasional weekend; activity, event or training is required.
• Performs related work as required.

Core Competencies

• Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and skills required by one or more of the recreational and cultural activities assigned.
• Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and skills used in planning, organizing, scheduling, and teaching one or more of the recreational and cultural activities assigned.
• Ability to provide leadership and direction to program participants, volunteers, parents, and others.
• Ability to apply creativity, imagination, spontaneity, humor, perseverance, and a variety of motivational techniques to make activities successful.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to work productively with employees, clients, families, volunteers, and others in a positive, pleasant, professional, and productive manner in writing, by telephone, and in personal contacts.
• Ability to provide management with accurate and timely reports and recommendations.
• Ability to maintain complete, accurate, and accessible administrate files and records.

Minimum Requirements

• Two (2) years of formal post-high school training or education, and
• Two (2) years experience leading or teaching classes or groups in the recreational and cultural areas assigned, or any equivalent combination of acceptable training, education, and experience.

Other Requirements

• This position includes the normal physical demands associated with recreational activities and sports in a community center or similar program, including lifting, bending, and carrying; and travel to other facilities throughout the Philadelphia area.
• This position is subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Mandated Reporting Training.