Literacy Summer Camp Counsellor

Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. Interviews will begin in the first week of March 2018.

Frontier College is a national, non-profit literacy organization. We believe literacy is a right, and we work inclusively with volunteers and community partners to help children, youth and adults build the skills and confidence they need to accomplish their goals. Our network of staff and volunteers provides excellent and effective programming to improve literacy in communities across Canada, from coast to coast to coast. We value mutual respect and collaboration in all our relationships.

We are seeking mature, committed and self-motivated individuals to fill the positions of Camp Counsellor in our Summer Literacy Camp program. These literacy camps aim to promote a love of reading and learning, and increased self-confidence, among Indigenous children aged 5-12 living in Cree communities of Northern Quebec, and Inuit communities of Nunavik, Nunavut and Nunatsiavut.

Camp Counsellors are expected to work in independent teams which will include local First Nations or Inuit Camp Counsellors, to deliver indoor and outdoor literacy-based activities in a safe and culturally sensitive environment. Camp Counsellors will be working with large groups of very young children, up to a counsellor-to-child ratio of 1:10.

Camp Counsellors will remain in their host community for the entire duration of employment, including weekends and holidays. Camp Counsellors must be comfortable with sharing modest accommodations (which may be co-ed) and live in an isolated community with minimal access to telephone and internet.

Overall Accountability
Each team will be comprised of an Admin Counsellor and 2-4 other Camp Counsellors. Together, they will work as a team under the remote supervision of the Frontier College Regional Coordinators and the Quebec and Nunavut Regional Manager.

Frontier College will provide candidates with a fully-paid training prior to the start of camp.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Daily planning & organizing of camp activities
• Ensuring the safety and well-being of all camp participants during camp hours
• Establishing and maintaining good relationships with community members, and encouraging their participation in the camp
• Ensuring adherence to all program directives and guidelines
• Maintaining accurate camp records as required
  • Perform other duties as assigned by Frontier College
  • Additional responsibilities for Admin Counsellor:

• Managing and maintaining camp budget and accounts, including all financial records
• Ensuring that all camp documentation is maintained, and reported as required
• Submitting all weekly paperwork throughout the summer months via fax/email

Required Skills and Attributes

• Minimum 18 years old
• Adaptable, self-motivated, responsible and energetic
• Experience or interest in the fields of formal/informal education, teaching or community literacy programming
• Demonstrated experience in working with groups of children
• Excellent listening skills and ability to work well in a team
• Strong situational problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
• Able to exercise patience and tact when working with different personalities and working styles, especially in challenging situations
• Good organizational and time-management skills
• Sensitivity to and awareness of cultural differences and the broader societal realities of Indigenous communities
• Possess a valid Standard/Emergency First Aid qualification (Note: All successful candidates who do not have their First Aid qualifications at the time of interview must obtain certification, at their own cost, prior to the start of employment)
• Possess a current Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen completed by the local police department (Note: All successful candidates who do not have their Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen at the time of interview must obtain it prior to the start of employment. Frontier College will reimburse the cost if a receipt and the original copy is submitted)

Additional Assets

• Prior experience working with First Nation, Inuit or Métis individuals or communities
• Experience in facilitating activities for large groups of young children
• Prior experience living and working in isolated and/or cross-cultural community settings
• Bilingualism (English/French)

Compensation:

• Pay will be issued bi-weekly via Direct Deposit
• Frontier College will cover and handle all roundtrip travel arrangements between Montreal, the training location and the host community
• All expenses relative to the training will be covered by Frontier College
• Shared, assigned housing is provided

Application Procedures:

1. Complete the following: General Application Form
2. Complete the following: Questionnaire for Summer Camp Counsellors
3. First Nations, Inuit and Métis applicants are encouraged to self-identify.
4. Send your: (1) resume, (2) cover letter, (3) a completed General Application Form, and (4) the completed Questionnaire, via post or email to :

Frontier College
Attn: Mark Anto
4384 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Montreal, QC
H2W 1Z5
Email: manto@frontiercollege.ca

For more information, visit the Frontier College website at www.frontiercollege.ca
Frontier College is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace.

Candidates of First Nation, Inuit or Métis ancestry are especially encouraged to apply for this position.