Application Deadline: April 22, 2025
Harbourfront Centre, on Toronto’s waterfront, is an innovative non-profit cultural organization which creates events and activities of excellence for a diverse public that enliven, educate and entertain. Currently, exciting seasonal employment opportunities exist in Harbourfront Centre Camps, one of Toronto’s largest, most diverse and creative day camps!
As such, we are seeking several dependable, collaborative and positive Inclusion/Resource Counsellors to join our team to ensure that all campers, including those with diverse abilities and needs, have a safe, supportive, and inclusive camp experience.
Position Title: Inclusion/Resource Counsellor
Department: Education, Camps
Number of Vacancies: 3-5
Type of Employment: Seasonal contract, from June – September 2025. Mandatory training taking place from June 23-27, 2025, with a regular work schedule starting from June 30 – August 30, 2025 during the running of our Camps.
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 35-40 hours per week (training on weekends may be assigned)
Rate of Pay: $17.75 per hour
Work Location: On-site at our waterfront campus in Toronto
Job Description
Under the direction of the Camps Support Supervisor and Inclusion Facilitator, the Inclusion/Resource Counsellor is responsible for creating a positive, fun, and safe environment for all campers. Resource Counsellors will be assigned to various camps throughout the season to maintain appropriate camper-to-staff ratios, while Inclusion Counsellors will provide 1:1 support to campers with exceptionalities or special needs, offering personal care based on individual requirements. Both roles require adaptability to new environments and activities. The incumbent will lead activities, supervise campers, and ensure their well-being, all while fostering teamwork, promoting camp values, and providing guidance and support.
Duties
- Assist the Program Facilitators to plan, organize, and lead age-appropriate camp activities, including outdoor games, arts and crafts, sports, and team-building exercises. Engage campers actively and ensure their participation.
- Assist campers with special needs in participating in camp activities, ensuring inclusion and engagement.
- Document and share any concerns or incidents, collaborating with the Inclusion Facilitator to solve problems as they arise.
- Work with other counsellors to ensure the camper is integrated into activities and receives necessary support.
- Discuss accommodation and camper needs with families before the camp session starts.
- Ensure the safety and well-being of all campers, monitoring them during activities, meals, and rest times. Maintain a positive, supportive atmosphere at all times.
- Help manage camper behavior by providing positive reinforcement and resolving conflicts in a fair and calm manner. Ensure all campers follow camp rules and guidelines.
- Offer encouragement and mentorship to campers, helping them build confidence, make new friends, and resolve issues as they arise.
- Prepare materials like visual aids or communication tools to help campers follow routines and assist in set-up/clean-up.
- Assist in keeping the camp facilities clean and organized, including lunch spaces, beginning and end of day locations, and activity spaces.
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years of age within the 2025 calendar year.
- Completed or working towards a secondary school diploma.
- Interested in post-secondary education in a field such as education, child and youth studies, social services, autism and behaviour studies, inclusion support services, nursing or a related field, or have equivalent experience.
- Experience working with children, particularly those with special needs or exceptionalities is preferred.
- Must possess passion for working with children and helping them grow in a positive environment.
- Strong communication and leadership skills.
- Consistently brings a positive, energetic attitude to the workplace, fostering a motivating and supportive environment.
- Ability to work in a team and handle multiple tasks at once.
- Standard First Aid and CPR-C certification is desirable and considered an asset.
- As a condition of employment, a Criminal Background Check (with Vulnerable Sector Check) is required of the successful candidate (over 18 years of age). The cost of this screening is to be covered by the incumbent.
- Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. All international applicants must have a valid employment Visa authorizing their ability to work in Canada on a full-time, ongoing basis;
- This role is based in Toronto. The candidate must be able to work on site at our lakeside campus.
Our Values
At Harbourfront Centre, our values—Open, Brave, Rigorous, and Kind—reflect our commitment to inclusivity, imaginative risk-taking, excellence, and respect, ensuring enriching experiences for all.
How To Apply
We invite qualified applicants to submit their cover letter and resume through the Harbourfront Centre Camps Recruitment Portal at https://harbourfrontcentre.campbrainstaff.com/ by no later than April 22, 2025. You will be asked to create a profile and proceed to the application selection page.
Harbourfront Centre’s Camps team is dedicated to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are passionate about supporting participants of all ages and abilities in their growth and development. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, regardless of race, ancestry, ethnic origin, place of origin, color, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, creed, citizenship, or disability.
We are committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and invite applicants to request accommodation at any stage of the hiring process.