Seasonal Camp Behavior Specialist – Edgartown

Job Location

The FARM Institute – Edgartown, MA

Position Type

Seasonal

Description

LOCATION: The Farm Institute (TFI)

PAY RATE: $35/hour

Minimum Age: at least 21 years old

Start Date: June 8, 2024

About Farm Camp At The Farm Institute

Farm Camp at The Farm Institute (TFI) is rooted in farm-based education. TFI is located on the historic 162-acre Katama Farm in Edgartown and is both a working farm and a farm-based educational hub on Martha’s Vineyard. Cows and sheep from partner farmers can be seen grazing in the fields while goats, chickens, and roaming ducks enliven the barnyard. Our signature teaching kitchen completes the cycle of farm-to-table from our expansive Friendship Garden. Every day our forty to sixty campers are involved in every aspect of our working farm including moving the animals through the pasture, harvesting and tending to the garden, and cooking in our teaching kitchen. Camp runs in weekly sessions June 24–August 23, 2024.

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Position Summary

The Camp Behavior Specialist (CBS) reports to the Camp Director at The Farm Institute who works in partnership with the Island’s Education Manager. With a deep understanding of behavioral modification and child development, the CBS serves as the consultant for managing strategies and offering tools for camper support. Before each camp week, the CBS assesses camper profiles to determine plans and strategies for campers who are identified as needing support at camp. As needed, during the camp week they observe campers and collaborate with camp staff and parents/guardians to coordinate plans and provide specific tools for campers needing support.

The CBS values collaborative, interdisciplinary, place-based, outdoor education, with a focus on nature, science, food systems, and art.

Schedule

Starting June 3, the CBS begins meeting with the Camp Director and camp staff, reviewing camper profiles, and planning for a 2-hour on-site workshop for the SQ and AFC Camp Teams during one of the staff training weeks (June 10-21). While camp is in session (June 24–August 23), they will work onsite at TFI for 4-5 hours per day on Mondays and Tuesdays to observe campers in their daily activities. Wednesdays through Fridays, they will be available remotely for review of camper records, parent communications, remote consultation, and onsite work if needed. Total hours per week is estimated at 8-10.

In This Role You Will

• Assess camper information regarding health, behavior, learning, social-emotional, and safety challenges
• Work with camp leadership staff in coordinating and implementing strategy plans for campers who require support, accommodations, and modifications
• Support Camp Leadership staff and Camp Educators/Counselors during and outside of camp with camper accommodations and modifications
• Communicate with parent/guardians as necessary
• Lead staff trainings as it relates to understanding and supporting campers with a range of needs
• Ensure proper completion and documentation of administrative duties as they relate to camper accommodations and modifications

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Obtained a Master’s degree or equivalent experience in social work, education, child development, or other relevant course of study
• Experience working directly with children and parents of children with diverse needs, abilities, and interests
• Proven expertise in the areas of trauma-informed practices, neurodiversity, behavior modification, and special education
• Experience in collaborative, interdisciplinary, place-based education is preferred
• Effective communicator; strong interpersonal skills: helpful, calm, friendly demeanor
• Ability to prioritize and to work both collaboratively and independently
• Strong organizational abilities with extreme attention to detail
• The ideal candidate will have an interest in the outdoors, especially environmental- and farm-based educational experiences

Other Requirements

• A satisfactory criminal background check (CORI and SORI)
• Able and willing to work across 75 acres both indoors and outside in all types of weather
• Must be able to lift 25 pounds

About The Trustees

The Trustees is one of Massachusetts’ largest non-profits and the nation’s first conservation and preservation organization. Today, the places we care about are going fast, and the forces undermining them, including climate change, are moving faster. Our passion is to protect and share with everyone the irreplaceable natural and cultural treasures under our care. We are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and more than 100,000 member households.

In addition to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, The Trustees aims to create a thriving, inclusive workplace that values each member of its team. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts who are at the core of our mission.

We kindly request that you do not call to inquire about the status of your application. Those candidates chosen for interviews will be contacted.