Mental Health Professional

Description:

Location: Ben Frankel, IL

Camp Ben Frankel is an overnight summer camp located in Makanda, Illinois for Jewish children and teens ages
7-17. At CBF, campers build lifelong friendships, have wholesome fun, and learn valuable life skills. Jewish
children from all backgrounds are welcomed to CBF’s inclusive environment. Camper capacity is up to 120
campers.

Camp Ben Frankel’s Vision: For every Jewish child, a place to belong
Camp Ben Frankel’s Mission: To build a lifelong community for Jewish children of all ages and backgrounds to explore their identities in a fun and inclusive environment, one amazing summer at a time

Responsibilities:

• Together with other members of Camp Ben Frankel’s Community Care team serve as a resource to
  campers and staff throughout the summer in facing mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health
  (MESSH) challenges, and creating environments where campers can thrive. Examples may include:
  • Determine appropriate responses to all camper and staff issues related but not limited to:
    anxiety, behavior management, interpersonal disputes, homesickness, hygiene, and
    previously diagnosed disorders
  • Assist staff members with challenging camper situations and provide ongoing support to staff to
    respond to campers’ MESSH needs.
  • Debrief and provide guidance to campers and/or staff after crises or stressful and traumatic
    events
  • Serve in a leadership role in the planning and implementation of staff training and ongoing staff learning
    related to mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health (MESSH). Examples may include:
  • Help develop and present training modules and/or coordinate ongoing staff development
    opportunities to give camp staff the tools and skills to meet the MESSH needs of campers
  • Managing information about camper needs, and communicating those to staff, as well as
    documenting communication and plans within Camp Ben Frankel’s systems.
• Communicate with and manage relationships with parents/caregivers in regards to camper needs.
• Prepare reports to funding agencies in relationship to mental, emotional, and social health of Camp
  Ben Frankel and its campers, including sharing high-level understandings of interactions and
  interventions taking place throughout the summer.
• Participate in the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Community of Practice as part of our camp’s place in
  the Yedid Nefesh program, including two or three virtual gatherings and one in-person gathering per
  year with other Jewish camp mental health professionals.
• Adaptability and flexibility – due to the fast-changing and rapidly changing environment caused by
  Covid-19 it is possible that our needs could evolve. Adaptability and flexibility are paramount
• Duties of all members of Leadership Team
  • To act as a positive Jewish role model at camp.
  • To be ethical and act with integrity at all times. To do the right thing.
  • To ensure that our staff members deliver a high-quality program that is safe, secure, and has great
    impact on the children we serve.
  • To be an outstanding leader of our team.
  • To always wear the hat of the “organization,” and advocate for initiatives that may benefit our overall
    mission, even if it sometimes produces short-term challenges.
  • To provide clear direction and training to your team, so they know exactly what is expected of them –
    and they feel comfortable gaining clarity when required.
  • To provide direct reports with recognition of their accomplishments, constructive feedback when
    necessary, and celebration when goals have been met
  • To make our staff members feel recognized and appreciated for their tremendous contributions to CBF’s
    mission.
  • To provide leverage to the director by displaying ownership over areas of responsibility, and providing
    the director with good visibility to how we are doing, where there are concerns, and seeking input when
    needed.
  • Participate in activities with camp.

Qualifications:

• 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 and/or school experience in working with children, teens, and young adults strongly preferred
• 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.
• Must be able to think critically and act swiftly in high stress situations