Director of Mental Health and Wellness - Camp Seneca Lake

Camp Seneca Lake (CSL) is a premier co-ed overnight summer camp set on 200+ acres on Seneca Lake in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of Western New York. For over 90 summers CSL has given campers in grades 3-12 a special place to recharge, unplug, and connect to nature and friends. CSL welcomes all campers into a safe compassionate community where each child is encouraged to become their best self.

Children from all backgrounds come together to learn important life skills that will stay with them through adulthood. Campers develop independence, form lifelong friendships, and a deep connection to a tight knit community that is strong at its core. CSL is owned and operated by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester, and we are an inclusive camp that welcomes campers and staff of all faiths, backgrounds, and ages.

This role is a seasonal, full-time position. During the summer session, the position includes evening hours. The Director of Mental Health & Wellness reports to the Camp Director.

Specific Responsibilities of the Director of Mental Health & Wellness include, but are not limited to:

• Playing a leadership role in the planning and implementation of staff training and ongoing staff learning related to mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health (MESSH).
• Creating and implementing programming for small groups of campers focused on wellness and social-emotional learning.
• Serving as a resource to campers throughout the summer in facing mental, emotional, and social health challenges, and creating environments where campers can thrive.
• Managing information about camper needs, and communicating those to staff, as well as documenting communication and plans within CSL’s systems.
• Communicating and managing relationships with parents/caregivers in regard to camper needs.
• Preparing reports to funding agencies in relationship to mental emotional and social health of CSL and its campers, including sharing high-level understandings of interactions and interventions taking place throughout the summer.
• May participate in Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Community of Practice as part of our camp’s place in the grant-funded program, including two or three virtual gatherings and one in-person gathering per year with other Jewish camp mental health professionals.
• Being an active presence on-site at camp as a part of the community.
• Supervise Mental Health & Wellness Specialist(s).
• Additional responsibilities as required.

• Available for the entire Camp Season, 6/07/2023-08/14/2023. Some part-time pre-season work may be required, such as participating in Zoom planning meetings.  
• Graduate-level or higher degree in a mental health field. Including, but not limited to: social work, mental health counseling, psychology, youth psychiatry, family therapy, etc.  
• 3-5 years of post-graduate work experience in a related field.  
• Prior camp experience in working with young children is preferred but not required 
• Exceptional skill and capacity for engagement and relationship building with both children and their parents.  
• Proven ability to plan, originate, and organize programs. 
• Proven ability to provide emotional support to a wide range of ages.  
• Strong understanding of, and a willingness to be creative with, strategies to ensure campers of varying needs can be part of a mainstreamed program.  
• Be a leader, self-starter, and strong collaborator.  
• Ability to accept guidance, constructive feedback, and support from teammates. 

Compensation:

• 6/07/2023-08/14/2023 on site, plus additional part-time pre-season work.  
• Competitive stipend of $10,000 for the season.  
• Room and board are provided during the camp season. This position is granted funded with the intent to continue for an additional two summers. It includes professional development from the funder. 

Camp Seneca Lake/Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester is an Equal Opportunity Employer!