Staff :: Staff :: Center For Disability Services New York
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For Clover Patch Staff

Clover Patch serves both children and adults between the ages of 5 and 90 with disabilities such as intellectual and developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, muscular dystrophy, autism and Down syndrome.

The season runs eight weeks, beginning with a one-week staff orientation. Sessions run Sunday through Friday with no more than 24 campers per session.

 

Current Employment Opportunities

 

Positions Available

  • Camp Counselors
  • Lifeguard
  • Maintenance/Groundskeeper/Kitchen Assistant
  • Head Cook
  • LPN – Healthcare Coordinator

 

Want to join the Clover Patch Camp team? 

 

You will have a lot of fun at camp but a summer at Clover Patch is not for everyone. You will spend the summer living, eating, playing and sharing first with the campers and then with the entire camp community. Your foremost responsibility while at camp will be the campers’ well-being and happiness. Your influence on their lives is profound. Your own personal example will influence them more than your words. While part of the camp staff we expect you to:

 

  • Work with people who are as old as your grandparents or young enough to be your children.
  • Gain a new sense of understanding about what it means to be disabled.
  • Be open to change, new experiences, hard work, long hours, personal development and sharing yourself with others.
  • Enjoy working in the outdoors in all the weather that is part of a summer in Upstate New York.
  • Take care of others’ personal needs before your own.
  • Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times and in all areas of daily living (including any and all social media).
  • Respect the buildings and facilities you use as if they were your own.
  • Possess the stamina to carry out camp activities daily throughout all 7 sessions.
  • Keep the camp free from alcohol and controlled substances, which are strictly prohibited anywhere on campus.
  • Be a positive representative of Clover Patch Camp. Both within and outside camp your actions reflect directly upon our reputation and influence our campers’ attitudes.
  • Be proud of your work and know that most people couldn’t do what you’ve done.
  • Be a friend to others who need friendship more than you might ever realize.
  • Be the least important person in the room. Put yourself last to make sure those around you are in a good place.
  • Be the coolest person in the room. Foster an uplifting environment with your infectious enthusiasm and by keeping your speech free from negative comments and profanity.

 

Staff Benefits

  • Free rustic bunkhouse living quarters
  • All meals provided daily
  • Laundry facilities and supplies provided at no charge
  • Free healthcare for minor illnesses and injuries­
  • Staff lounge with telephone and TV/DVD
  • Internet access and Wi-Fi
  • Staff shirt
  • 2 hours off each working day
  • Saturdays off!
  • Transportation to and from buses, trains and Albany airport
  • A one-week orientation to prepare for the summer experience
  • Lifelong interpersonal and leadership skills
  • Opportunities to learn new skills
  • Professional job experience
  • Comprehensive job training
  • Support and feedback during employment
  • A chance to work with staff from across the country and around the world

 

Staff Training

Each staff member is required to complete a one week orientation covering the following topics:

  • Transfer and Mobility
  • Disability Overview
  • Back Injury Prevention
  • Seizure Management 
  • Dining
  • OSHA
  • Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention (SCIP)
  • Team Building
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Sign Language
  • Recognizing and Reporting Abuse
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Direct Care

 

International Applicants

 

If you’re an international applicant (a non United States citizen), please note that you must have a valid working visa, valid green card, or valid J-1 visa. The J-1 visa can be obtained through Camp Counselors USA.

 

Notice to All Staff Applicants

  • All camp staff members work closely with campers throughout the summer. As part of the recruitment process we must make certain that the individuals we employ are acceptable role models. 
  • Potential employees complete a comprehensive application including disclosure of criminal history and a complete background check (state and sexual offender databases). 
  • Each applicant completes a personal interview with camp administration or CCUSA representative (international applicants). 
  • Three references are checked for every candidate. 
  • The Internet presence of potential employees (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, etc.) is checked.
  • Employees are continually observed during their employment to ensure exemplary performance.