GENERAL INFORMATION

• This position reports to the Mitzvah Corps Director and Mitzvah Corps Assistant Director
• Mitzvah Corps is a summer camping program for teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders that exists within the larger system of the Kutz Camp and the NFTY Leadership Experience. As a Mitzvah Corps staff member, you can expect to find an intense and challenging environment where you will work one on one with students with ASD.
• Kutz Camp looks to hire 12 Mitzvah Corps counselors for the summer of 2013 that will support the three one-week concurrent Mitzvah Corps session.

CORE AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Position requirements:

• Mitzvah Corps Staff member at Kutz are responsible for the supervision and support of all Mitzvah Corps campers, as well as the Mitzvah Corps teen Chaverim during the time they are with the campers.
• The Mitzvah Corps staff will work with as a team to provide the care and support necessary for campers to have a successful, safe, and fun experience.
• The counselors will also be responsible for some camper programming as determined by the Mitzvah Corps Director and Program Director.
• Care and support of Mitzvah Corps campers, including:
• Assistance and supervision in morning and bedtime rituals, mealtimes, personal hygiene, grooming, and camp activities.
• Post-bedtime “Shmira” shifts (watching cabins between camper bedtime and staff bedtime to ensure the safety of campers).
• Developing and executing camper programming (with support) as determined by counselor’s skills and areas of interest.
• Being a cooperative and enthusiastic member of the Mitzvah Corps Team, including:
• Attending Mitzvah Corps staff meetings, trainings, etc.
• Supporting fellow counselors

In addition to this role, the members of this team are expected to:

• Primarily be part of the Kutz Camp team of 2013, and come into the role with a camp-first mentality in order to build meaningful bridges and relationships with the entire staff community in camp.
• Be a positive role model and influence within the Mitzvah Corps community and camp community as a whole
• Look for other opportunities as appropriate to be involved and active within the camp community
• Kutz will hold at least one spot for a third-year Mitzvah Corps staff member serving as a counselor in the summer of 2013 to participate in the prestigious Cornerstone Fellowship program, sponsored by the Foundation for Jewish Camp, which provides additional staff training and a financial incentive for participation. Acceptance into this program will require additional time for training in May with representatives from over 100 Jewish camps across North America, as well as an expectation that Cornerstone Fellows will implement some piece of staff training, some all-camp experience, and will meet weekly with Kelly Biedinger, who will serve as the cornerstone Liaison. Information about applying to be a Kutz Cornerstone Fellow will be available in January.

DEFINING ATTRIBUTES

• Drive
• Patience
• Heart

ADDITIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Be A Mensch.
• Do the right thing.
• Be kind.
• Share your thoughts with your supervisors, challenge ideas, push the status quo.
• Accept feedback.
• Accept responsibility for success and for mistakes.
• Accept support from team members.
• Share your passion and joy in the work you do.
• Work daily to create a community of inclusion for every individual in camp.

QUALIFICATIONS

• HS Diploma.
• Must enjoy working with special needs populations.
• Experience in special needs mentoring or education preferred.
• Familiar with the goals and mission of the Union for Reform Judaism, NFTY and the Kutz Camp.
• Understanding of NFTY’s Thirteen Principles.