Program Specialist

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is seeking a Program Specialist to join our team.

The YMCA focuses on empowering people in all forms, by improving health and well-being and inspiring action in and across our neighborhoods.

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading non-profit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

As the Challenge Course Specialist, you will be responsible for creating and leading all high and low ropes course activities. You will develop lesson plans that focus on teamwork, trust-building, and overcoming physical challenges. In this role, you will train and orient other staff to your area, clearly outlining their responsibilities and ensuring that safety guidelines are followed. Your leadership will help foster a supportive and motivating environment for campers ages 6-13 to achieve personal and group goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure that program areas are ready for group use prior to group arrival when possible.
• Know and enforce rules as necessary to ensure safe use of program areas.
• Maintain good public relations with participants and fellow staff, representing the best interests of the YMCA while providing excellent customer service at every opportunity.
• Work with Senior Group Programs Director to create a schedule to meet the needs of each group every weekend.
• Assist with booking staff for weekends and creating staff schedules.
• Be familiar with emergency procedures.
• If qualified, administer basic first aid as required; if not, direct participant to director, host or group leader. Make sure the director, host or group leader is informed of any accidents, and contribute to the completion of accident or incident reports as necessary.
• Host meals and assist with dining hall operations.
• Deliver excellent customer service at check-in and check-out through professional appearance, positive attitude, implementation of COVID-19 standards, and ensuring facility is cleaned and ready for each group.

Qualifications:

• A minimum age of 21.
• Two years of experience working in a residential camp or facility is preferred.
• Knowledge of YMCA Camp Seymour's operation procedures, especially the supervision and operation of program areas or the ability to acquire that knowledge.
• The ability to effectively communicate with staff and participants of all ages.
• The ability to demonstrate a friendly, courteous and professional manner while working with members, parents, guests and staff and the ability to understand, articulate and enforce YMCA policies and procedures in a positive way.
• Current first aid and CPR certifications from nationally recognized organizations preferred.
• Able and willing to complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on first day, and other online and in-person training as required.
• Must be able to pass Background and Reference checks (in accordance with the WA State Fair Chance Act).
• You are committed to valuing and promoting diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Wage: $17.66 to $18.66 per hour, depending on qualifications

Dates of Employment: June 15th - August 28th, 2026

Location: YMCA Camp Helena, Port Orchard, WA

Benefits:

• 40 hours/week with Saturday and Sunday's off
• Ability to apply as an internal candidate to a year-round, Full or Part-Time position
• Build lasting connections and employment experience
• Accrue Paid Sick Leave at 1.23 hours for every 40 hours worked

Ignite your Passion, Live the Y Cause, and Join our Team To apply visit our website at www.ymcapkc.org.

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is committed to diversity and inclusion throughout our organization and is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Women/Minority/Veteran/Disabled

Challenge Course Specialist Job Description

Position Summary

The Challenge Course Specialist lives and works in a cabin/yurt, with a co-leader, to provide constructive, responsible leadership and guidance for a cabin group of 10-12 children ages 7-13. Develops camper character and values; fosters cabin community, encourages group leadership, and develops stewardship. Actively supervises and maintains safe, enjoyable, age-appropriate challenge course programs and events. Provides progressive instruction in Challenge Course activities. Works with leadership staff and program director to organize & implement overall camp program. Provides a quality experience to campers & families focused on YMCA core values: honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring. Represents the YMCA and self in a professional manner of safety and fun.

Key Responsibilities
• Promote a positive environment that fosters fun, safety and meaningful experiences for campers.
• Organize and lead a variety of small and large group activities inside and outside of the cabin, participating 100% with activities; enjoy playing, and not "sit on the sidelines."
• Plan, organize, and facilitate all Challenge Course programming for Day Camp, Overnight Camp and visiting groups.
• Monitor Challenge Course equipment and supplies; repair and resupply as necessary.
• Work with Challenge Course Director, leadership staff and all staff to coordinate and implement overall camp program.
• Meet performance measurement by telling the Y story and raising charitable dollars to fulfill our mission.
• Assist staff leadership team in reaching campaign goals through recruiting campaigners, making personal asks and supporting branch events.
• Staff will be responsible for frequent touchpoint cleaning and sanitizing in specific areas.
• Embraces and actively promotes an inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities
• Commitment to valuing and promoting diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment
• Minimum 18 years of age.
• One season or more of camp experience required.
• Preferred: challenge course experience.
• Positive attitude and previous experience with diverse populations
• Knowledge and skills in program activities and related equipment set-up, and the ability to instruct participants in age appropriate techniques.
• Preferred: ACCT II
• CPR, First Aid, AED certifications.
• Complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on first day. Complete other online and in-person training as required.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands
• Regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must frequently lift or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift or move a higher amount.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally may need to plan and participate in programming outdoors.

Employee Acknowledgement

This job description indicates the general nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of this position. This document is not an exhaustive list and other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or assigned at any time with or without advanced notice.

This job description does not constitute a contract of employment and the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties may exercise employment-at-will rights at any time.

By signing below, you are acknowledging that you have read the document in its entirety and that you understand the requirements, essential functions, and job duties of this position. Further, you acknowledge that you are able to perform the duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation(s), and that should you need assistance, that you are responsible for notifying your Director, Executive Director, and/or Human Resources.

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