Teens Program Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Program Assistant (youth programs) creates positive, nurturing relationships with children while building cooperative relationships with parents / caregivers, staff, and partners. Promotes and supports the potential of all youth in programs / classes and facilitates peer-to-peer connections as part of the overall program experience. Provides a quality experience to children that focuses on building achievement and belonging in youth and relationships among youth and within families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Nurtures children through purposeful programming dedicated to building achievement and belonging in youth and relationships among youth and within families.
• Maintains close visual supervision of a group of assigned children, following ratios based on specific program / class.
• No child is left unsupervised or staff alone with a child at any time while attending program / class.
• Help children manage behavior using a positive approach, including proactive strategies, redirection and using constructive discipline with natural and logical consequences.
• Actively supports the YMCA is committed to inclusion and compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) where appropriate.
• Planning and implementing classes based on a specific topic and skill mastery, culminating in an exposition / showcase at the end of the session.
• Adheres to program standards including safety and cleanliness standards, maintains site and equipment, and maintains required program records in accordance YMCA expectations.
• Cultivates positive relationships and maintains effective communication with parents. Engages parents as volunteers and connects them to the YMCA.
• Attends and participates in family events, program activities, staff meetings and trainings.
• Follows YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention and emergencies. Follows reporting procedures and proactively responds to situations to ensure a safe environment for all involved.
• Understands and complies with current federal, state, local regulations, and YMCA policies and procedures at all times.
• Maintains positive relationship with parents, other YMCA team members and community partners. Models relationship-building skills (including Listen First) in all interactions.
• Attend meetings and trainings, as needed.
• Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk management.
• Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Respect,
• Responsibility, Caring, Fairness) as well as the YMCA Core Values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility in all dealings with members, guests, volunteers and fellow staff.
• Demonstrate competencies in and willingness to develop in the Cause Driven Leadership areas of mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness and personal growth.
• All other duties as assigned by your supervisor

YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Competencies Include : Change Leadership, Engaging Community, Philanthropy, & Volunteerism

Competencies Include : Collaboration, Communication & Influence, & Inclusion

Competencies Include : Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Fiscal Management, Functional Expertise, Innovation, & Program / Project Management

Competencies Include : Emotional Maturity & Developing Self & Others

While all competencies are significant, the following are critical to success in this position :

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

WORK ENVIRONMENT / MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS