Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is looking for an individual with a background in social work, wilderness therapy, special education, or behavior intervention to join our summer program team. As the summer programs behavioral aide, you will work closely with the youth summer camps and teen expeditions as an additional counselor or trip leader. The primary responsibility of this job is to support participants who need additional assistance to be successful in camps or expeditions.

The first few weeks of summer programs will include day camps and kayak building. During this time, the summer programs behavioral aide will split time among the two programs. Behavioral support includes identifying individuals who need additional support and working with them one-on-one or in a group setting to stay focused and engaged in the daily activities. Once the expeditions begin in early July, the behavioral aide will join the group in the backcountry as an additional trip leader. During expeditions, you will collaborate with other trip leaders to build a physically and emotionally safe environment for all participants and spearhead any behavioral intervention. It is imperative that the behavioral aide is comfortable working and living outside for extended periods of time no matter the weather.

Responsibilities

• Respond to any participant in crisis and develop a management plan.
• Be a positive team player and open to creative solutions.
• Move from summer camps to expeditions and assess what the needs are for participant management.
• Provide space for participants to process emotions.
• Work one-on-one or in a group with participants to assist in behavior and attention management.

Qualifications 

• Professional background in social work, special education, or behavior intervention.
• Must be comfortable spending time outside and in the water.
• Personal or professional experience camping and either kayaking, canoeing, sailing, or rowing.
  • Training will be provided in the open water rowing “gigs” and the whaleboats.
• Experience working with children aged 7-16.
• Ability to stay calm in stressful situations and delegate tasks as needed.
• Current CPR and First Aid required, Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to stand and walk on uneven ground and dock surfaces for extended periods of time.
• Must be comfortable spending extended periods of time outside. Expeditions range in length from one to two weeks, which includes sleeping outside in tents and sporadic access to running water.
• Must be able to lift/haul 50 pounds.
• Strong swimming skills required.