The YMCA Early Education Program is hiring multiple Youth Development Specialists!

Starting pay is $17.14 per hour

As a Youth Development Specialist in our school-aged program, you'll be implementing and adapting a wide variety of enrichment activities for grades K-8. You will work with a specific group of youth on interactive and enriching social and cultural experiences, ensuring the safety and security of program participants; we value child and team safety, so you'll be following licensing regulations and adhering to the YMCA philosophy and goals. 

Our before and after-school programs create a child-centered environment that promotes learning, character development, healthy living and positive, nurturing relationships. With a commitment to meeting accreditation standards and extensive training and development in research-based practices, you’ll also learn and grow and positively impact our children, families and communities.

Scope of Responsibilities:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of youth growth and development and creates high quality program implementation by providing a safe, supportive, interactive, and engaging environment. Provide positive classroom climate that encourages respect and responsibility and that is characterized by teamwork, camaraderie and inclusiveness. Prepare lesson plans on a daily and/or weekly basis outlining program activity, ensures materials and supplies are available and ready for daily program activities, and ensures all program areas and supplies are clean and well maintained regularly. Organize and lead youth in indoor/outdoor activities which meets group and individual needs, interests and considers diverse abilities. Provide effective supervision of all children that is age-appropriate and assures the safety and well-being of all youth, at all times. Positively interacts with children, parents/guardians and other team members to create a respectful, warm, supportive environment. Demonstrate an appreciation of children’s efforts and accomplishments and providing assistance and encouragement to program participants when needed. Models self-control, respect and cooperation to children and other team members. Utilizes youth arrival/departure to share information with parents/guardians and to build relationships. Follows program schedule and maintains accurate records of attendance, meals and other records as necessary to meet program requirements. - Participate in team meetings and other school-age program activities. Complete fifteen clock hours of professional development annually, through participation in offered training, in-service or continuing education and maintain log/record of such. Maintain confidentiality regarding all center staff, children, and families. Support the YMCA’s mission and center operations as needed.

Minimum and Preferred Requirements:

Must be 19 years of age and have a minimum of 30 semester hours or equivalent from an accredited college/university with six semester hours or equivalent related to school-aged care, child development, elementary education physical education, recreation, camping or a related field. Must meet/maintain requirements for fingerprint background check clearance, provide medical clearance documentation and other program pre-employment prerequisites. Ability to meet physical requirements based on job description; The YMCA will accommodate reasonable accommodations for persons with disability. This position is a union position.

Child Abuse Prevention - Supports the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by: 

Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor Completing all child abuse prevention training as required