[Hiring] Social Work Consultant @The Dream Program

Position Summary

The Social Work Consultant is a limited-time hourly contract position tasked with developing a formalized Character and Behavioral Health Framework for Camp DREAM. This framework will integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), trauma-informed practices, and outdoor education to support youth from high-poverty communities. The consultant will bridge the gap between a successful pilot and a scalable, year-round model to be implemented in summer 2026.

Dates: ASAP - May 30, 2026

Deliverables:

During this planning phase, we will:

• Engage experts and review research on character development and trauma-informed practices in camp settings to ensure our model aligns with the strongest evidence base.
  • Reach out to at least 3 non profit or camp programs who conduct research or gather data around character development to gather information and suggestions
• Codify and expand training systems, including the development of “train-the-trainer” modules for counselors, staff, and Counselors-in-Training (CITs) to integrate perseverance, autonomy, and critical thinking into daily activities and character conversations.
  • Partner with the communications team to create IMS or plug-and-play trainings for:
  • Youth Mental Health First Aid
  • Trauma informed behavior intervention, PAIR, restorative practices
  • Neurodivergent campers
  • Prevention
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for our Reset Space and behavior support systems, creating clear guidance and resource kits so staff can implement practices with consistent quality that will include the overnight camp setting, field trips, vans rides, and day camps.
  • Building off the Trauma Informed Behavior Intervention Policy, develop specific SOPs for:
    • What is the reset space for? Dysregulation vs disinterested
    • Co-regulation and individual regulation
    • Leading/facilitating restorative or repair conversations
  • What do reset spaces look like outside of overnight camp? On field trips? In the vans? Day camps?
• Design continuity-of-care protocols that connect summer camp experiences to year-round DREAM programming, ensuring follow-up with caregivers, schools, and mentors after camp to sustain growth in self-regulation and resilience.
  • Identify, set up, and implement an organization wide system for communicating camper concerns. This will include workflow and a software system to organize documentation (can be a system we already use for something else)
  • Collaborate with site directors to strengthen data collection, tracking, and communication systems that proactively identify youth needs prior to camp arrival. This will enable tailored supports, consistent follow-up, and improved camper readiness.
    • Sources include: Campbrain, IMS (or replacement system), incident reports, region specific reporting measures
• Create evaluation surveys and practices that measure the correlation between camp practices and character development.
  • Talk with Paul about session pre/post tests for campers.
  • Create evidence-based survey tools that measure our desired outcomes for our ages served.
  • Consider:
    • How can we measure utilization of the reset space? Efficacy?
    • 1:1 BI counselors could provide excellent data since they interact with youth with higher behavior needs
    • Camper care could provide data for evaluations
• Proactively reach out to at least three non-profit or camp programs that conduct research on character development to gather information and suggestions.
• Reach out to MSW programs to explore partnerships
  • Goal: develop partnerships with at least one program for Boston and one for Vermont

By the end of the planning period, we will have:

• A formalized Character and Behavioral Health Framework for Camp DREAM that integrates SEL, trauma-informed practices, and outdoor education.
• Standardized training modules and SOPs to ensure consistency across seasons and staff roles.
• A variety of research-based practical resources at Camp DREAM available to staff and campers.
• A data-informed evaluation plan tracking camper self-regulation, perseverance, and autonomy (e.g., Reset Space usage, time to re-regulate, counselor intervention frequency), integrated with the academic-year portions of programming.
• Established partnerships and internship pathways that help sustain this professional expertise.

Required Qualifications:

• MSW with a passion for system development
• Desire to enhance existing skills and develop new skills necessary for service.
• Commitment to serve as a role model for youth.
• Elevated awareness of issues of social equity and social justice with a commitment to continued learning as it relates to serving our diverse community in a manner that is respectful and aware.
• A passion for supporting your own and others’ ongoing work around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to manage time and set priorities while giving consideration to those who you are serving, your fellow team members, the organization, and the self.

Preferred Qualifications:

• LCSW or LICSW
• Creativity, energy, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Mental and physical ability to manage stressful situations, work well under pressure, and maintain a positive attitude while working long days on less sleep than accustomed to

Term and Compensation: Independent Contractor status. $35/hr, 10-20 hours per

Consultant may not exceed twenty (20) hours in any given week without prior written approval from DREAM.

Consultant is an independent contractor and not an employee, partner, or agent of DREAM. Consultant shall not be entitled to any employee benefits and is solely responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes, insurance, and other obligations arising from compensation paid under this Agreement.

Work environment: This position is remote, with the option to work from any Dream office.

Physical demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee/member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to communicate with individuals who talk and hear.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to observe and comprehend using vision abilities that include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

AAP/EEO Statement: The DREAM Program is an equal opportunity employer and an incorporated 501(c)3 charitable organization. The DREAM Program prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

At will employment: The DREAM Program is an at will employer. Employment with The DREAM Program is voluntary and is subject to termination by you or The DREAM Program at will, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time. The policy of employment-at-will may not be modified by any officer or employee.