Companion Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Description Inclusion Companions are needed for the 2026 Summer Camp Program, operated through the City's Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture. The Summer Camp Program consists of up to eight weeks of camp activities for children ages 5 through 14. Inclusion Companions assist individuals with disabilities who have requested this service to successfully integrate into the Summer Camp Program.

Inclusion Companion I - Works with individuals with a mild disability. Must be at least 16 years of age and/or have completed 10th grade by June 1, 2026. No experience or less than one year of experience working with individuals with a mild disability is qualifying.

Inclusion Companion II - Works with individuals with a mild to moderate disability. Must be at least 18 years of age and/or have a high school diploma or GED certificate and have more than one year of experience working with individuals with a mild to moderate disability. Inclusion Companion III - Works with individuals with a moderate to severe disability.

Must be at least 18 years of age and/or have a high school diploma or GED certificate and have more than one year of experience working with individuals with a moderate to severe disability. Some course work in recreation, psychology, special education, or related field may also be required depending on the specific placement regarding level of disability, specific accommodation needed, and level of independence that the individual with the disability possesses. Applicants must be available to work weekdays (Monday through Friday) from approximately June 22 to August 14, 2026, approximately 30 to 45 hours per week.

Applicants must also be able to attend all required staff training sessions (starting at 5 p.m. on June 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, and 18), and a family engagement event on June 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m

Hourly rate starts at $17.70 per hour and will be offered at a level consistent with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees. Job Functions Inclusion Companions will: Responsibly supervise and develop a rapport with the assigned participant(s) and assist the individual with accessing and participating in all facets of the program, activity, or event

Assist participant with activities of daily living and attend to physical needs when necessary. Serve as an advocate for disabled individual within the program, activity, or event. Coordinate with the program director/leaders to adapt activities when necessary.

Maintain behavior protocols when necessary. Communicate with individual's parents or counselors. Assist in basic program duties if disabled individual does not require one-on-one attention during the entire activity, program, or event.

Complete appropriate paperwork and reports. Key responsibilities are highlighted above; please click here to view the classification description for the Inclusion Companion positions. Qualifications What you will need to be considered: All applicants must enjoy working with young people and have the ability to work directly with and develop a rapport with an individual with a disability.

Must possess a high level of maturity and be able to deal with children, parents, and other staff in a positive, courteous, tactful, and professional manner. Must be safety conscious and committed to providing a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all participants. Must be responsible, dependable, adaptable, and punctual; have excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills and leadership qualities; be able to make quick and sound decisions; be able to understand, carry out, and provide written and oral directions; have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Must be able to lift/carry materials up to 60 pounds. CPR/AED and First Aid certification preferred (may be obtained through the City upon hire). Any acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to satisfactorily perform job duties and responsibilities is qualifying.

Additional Information Interested applicants must submit the following to be considered: A complete online application (incomplete applications will not be considered) Submission of current resume is encouraged (attached to the online application) Your application should include your education history, relevant work experience (paid or volunteer), any pertinent skills or certifications/licenses you have, and/or provide additional information that might be relevant to the job you are applying for. Review of applications will begin immediately, so prompt application is strongly encouraged. Positions will remain open until filled.

Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are received or all hiring decisions have been made. Successful candidates will be subject to a background check and drug/alcohol screening. The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City.

Each employee, as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post accident and random testing. Work permits are required for all minors under the age of 18 to work in the State of Maryland.

Work permits are issued by the Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Labor & Industry, and are not issued until the minor has been offered a job. Click here for more information. For more information about the position, contact the Summer Camp Team at summercamps@gaithersburgmd.gov or 301.258.6350

Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at hr@gaithersburgmd.gov or 301.258.6327. This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which will be used to fill the current vacancies and may be used to fill other openings in this classification which occur in the next 6 months.