Camp Quinebaug – Summer Worker (Counselors)

Are you looking for an amazing seasonal opportunity where you are able to make a difference? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!  

The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS) currently has eleven (11) Summer Worker (Specialized Recreation Services) positions who work under the general direction of the Camp and Assistant Camp Directors at Camp Quinebaug. Nine (9) positions will function as Camp Counselors, one (1) position will function as the Arts & Craft Specialist and one (1) position will function as the Sports & Nature Specialist to join our team at Camp Quinebaug!    

About Us:

Camp Quinebaug provides a unique summer day camp experience for approximately 100 school aged children with developmental disabilities in northeastern Connecticut. Children with intellectual disabilities and autism are the primary population served at this camp.   

The camp is located on Wauregan Reservoir in Killingly on 11 acres and its waterfront is the only beach on this beautiful waterway. Arts, Crafts, sports and nature activities, music, swimming, boating and fishing are some of the highlights of the busy camp schedule.    

Key Information:

• Location: Camp Quinebaug located in Killingly, CT
• 35 hours per week 
• Monday – Friday
• 7:45am – 2:45pm               
• Salary: $14.00 - $17.00 per hour. *Please Note: Minimum wage will be increasing to $15.00 on June 1, 2023.                 
• The first 2 weeks are part-time hours and may involve availability up until 8:30pm.               
• Must be flexible in order to meet the needs of the agency.
• There are no benefits with this position.  

These are seasonal positions and DDS permanent employees will not be considered for these positions.    

We hope you take this opportunity to join us and make an impact by serving your state!

These positions will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID 19 Vaccination Immunization.  

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and must specify their qualifications on their application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 

Please note you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.   

Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 

Must be at least 18 years old as of June 2, 2023.  

Applicants must be able to work for the full season and must complete all required DDS training.  

Required to engage in aquatic activities with campers in and around the water.  

Selected candidates must possess and maintain adequate physical flexibility, strength and stamina to perform the duties (work outside in inclement weather, work outside for extended periods), and work well with other staff and campers. Must be able to lift and transfer campers and light equipment.  

Incumbents must successfully pass a pre-employment physical exam.  

Must be available to work for the full season which is expected to be June 2, 2023 and end no later than August 5, 2023; the last day of work includes a Saturday to close camp.  

If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Tommy Wilson, EEO Specialist 1 at (860) 418-6148 or Tommy.Wilson@ct.gov.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Julie Barker, at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

In various agencies as a summer employee performs one or more tasks and assigned duties of a seasonal nature in providing a variety of services to clients or the public in one of several areas. This class may also be used during the winter college intersession for a period not to exceed six weeks.

Work areas covered by this class shall include the assignments and hourly rates as listed below:

Assignment	Minimum Hourly Rates	Maximum Hourly Rates
General	$14.00	$17.00
Patient Care Service	$14.00	$17.00
Maintenance	$14.00	$17.00
Laboratory Assistant	$14.00	$17.00
Recreational Aide	$14.00	$17.00
Transportation Services (Bus Driver)	$14.00	$17.00
Tourist Information Clerk	$14.00	$17.00
Specialized Recreational Services	$14.00	$17.00
Tourist Information Coordinator	$14.00	$17.00
Information Technology System Analysis	$19.00	$22.00
Professional Engineering	$19.00	$22.00
Legal	$19.00	$22.00

Minimum and maximum hourly rates will be subject to the following criteria:

• Returning Summer Workers may receive $.50 an hour additional compensation for each season of service up to the maximum hourly rate.

OR

See attached Addendum

• Knowledge of
  • principles, practices and procedures of assigned specialty; 
  • operation of equipment, materials and activities of assigned specialty; 
• Knowledge to degree necessary for dealing with and understanding an individual’s behavior; 
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills; 
  • techniques of assigned specialty skills; 
• Ability to
  • assist individuals in self-care habits, personal hygiene and proper social conduct where applicable; 
  • understand and carry out written orders and oral instructions; 
• Adequate physical strength and stamina to perform duties; 
• Some positions may require supervisory and/or leadership abilities.

Any experience and training that could reasonably be expected to provide the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above.

For all positions:

• Experience working with, or volunteering with children and young adults with intellectual disabilities, autism or physical disabilities is preferred.  
• Previous experience working or volunteering in schools, camps or other recreational settings with children is preferred.  

For Camp Counselor positions:  

• Experience coordinating daily activities for a small group of campers and providing leadership for support staff assigned to campers.  
• Previous experience working as enhanced staff to a student with disabilities is preferred.  

For Arts & Crafts Specialist position:

• Experience in coordinating daily arts and crafts for all groups of campers ranging in age from 5-21.  

For Sports & Nature Specialist position:

• Experience with rules and play of various sports and games.  
• Experience as a player in organized athletics or coaching is preferred.  
• Experience with horticulture, the environment, hiking and nature is also preferred.

• Incumbents in this class assigned to recreational activities must be able to perform emergency first aid as needed and certain positions will require a current Standard First Aid Certificate.
• Incumbents in this class assigned as bus drivers or operate a motor vehicle must possess and retain a current Connecticut Motor Vehicle Operator License to drive a bus and/or a Motor Vehicle Operators License as necessary.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.