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Counselor job description

A ready-to-edit job description for camp and after-school counselors: duties, qualifications, physical demands, schedule and pay.

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What's in it

What the counselor job description covers

Position

Title: [Counselor]
Reports to: [program director or site lead]
Location: [site address]
Dates and hours: [dates, days and times]
Pay: [$ per hour]
Type: [seasonal, part-time or full-time]

About the job

[Program name] is looking for caring, energetic counselors to lead a group of [ages] children through [activities]. You'll keep kids safe, help them try new things and make sure every child feels welcome.

What you'll do

Supervise a group of [number] children at all times, with headcounts at every move.
Lead games, crafts, sports and other activities, and help plan new ones.
Help children solve conflicts and follow the code of conduct, using positive behavior guidance.
Follow safety, emergency, pickup and medication procedures.
Notice and report injuries, illness and any concerns about a child's safety, including suspected abuse or neglect.
Greet families at drop-off and pickup, and share how the day went.
Keep attendance and incident records.
Set up, clean up and take care of equipment.
Take part in staff training and meetings.

What you need

At least [18] years old [or 16 for junior counselors]
Experience with children, such as babysitting, coaching, tutoring or teaching
First aid and CPR certification, or willingness to get it before you start [at our cost]
Pass a background check and any other checks [your state] requires
Patient, dependable and calm under pressure
Able to communicate clearly with children and families [in English; Spanish is a plus]

Nice to have

Lifeguard certification
Skills in art, music, sports, science or the outdoors
A second language

Physical demands

This job means being on your feet and outdoors for much of the day, often in hot weather. You must be able to [walk long distances, run, lift up to 25 pounds, sit on the floor and respond quickly in an emergency], with or without reasonable accommodation. If you need an accommodation to apply or do the job, contact [name].

How to apply

Send [a resume or our application] to [email] by [date]. Questions? Contact [name]. [Program name] is an equal opportunity employer.

Free to use and change, but not legal or medical advice. Check your state's licensing rules and your insurer's requirements, and have a lawyer review any consent or waiver language.

Tips

How to use it well

Include real dates, hours and pay. Applicants look for them, and some states require pay in job postings.
Match the minimum age, certifications and background checks to your state's licensing rules.
Be honest about the hard parts, like heat, long days and lifting, so new hires know what to expect.
Use the same duties in your interview questions and training checklist, so hiring and training cover the same skills.

Rules on ratios, medication and reporting vary by state. See your state in our state-by-state rules for youth programs.

FAQ

Questions, answered

What are the duties of a camp counselor?

Supervising a group of children, leading activities, keeping kids safe, guiding behavior, following emergency and pickup procedures, reporting concerns and talking with families. The most important duty is knowing where every child is at all times.

How old do you have to be to work as a camp counselor?

Many programs hire counselors who are 18 or older, and junior counselors who are 16 or 17. The minimum age for staff counted in ratios varies by state, so check your state's licensing rules and youth employment rules.