Child Activity Center Leader

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 Child Activity Center Leader creates positive, nurturing relationships with children while building cooperative relationships with parents/caregivers and staff. Promotes and supports the potential of all youth in programs and facilitates peer-to-peer connections as part of the overall program experience. Support children in the program and implements program curriculum focused on holistic child development. Provides a quality experience to children and parents 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 children present in program. Organizes environment based on ages and developmental needs of children present.
• No child is left unsupervised or staff alone with a child at any time.
• 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.
• Assist with planning and implementing program activities that are culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate, consistent with the YMCA values, and established guidelines.
• Adheres to program standards including safety and cleanliness standards, maintains program and equipment, and maintains required program records in accordance with YMCA expectations.
• Makes ongoing, observations of each child. Communicates with supervisor regarding child's development.
• Cultivates positive relationships and maintains effective communication with parents/caregivers. Engages parents/caregivers 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. Restroom usage, 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 and other YMCA team members.
• 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 LEADER COMPETENCIES

The Y's Leadership Competency Model is comprised of 18 leadership competencies (leadership knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for success in the Y), organized by the four disciplines of cause-driven leadership:

• Mission Advancement- advancing the Y's promise to strengthen community
  
  Competencies include: Values, Community, Volunteerism, and Philanthropy
• Collaboration- working with, understanding and developing others
  
  Competencies include: Inclusion, Relationships, Influence, Communication, and Developing Others
• Operational Effectiveness: ensuring relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability
  
  Competencies include: Decision Making, Innovation, Project Management, Finance, and Quality Results
• Personal Growth- developing continually to adapt to new challenges
  
  Competencies include: Self Development, Change Capacity, Emotional Maturity, and Functional Expertise

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

• Community
• Inclusion
• Decision-Making
• Emotional Maturity

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

ECE/CD UNITS: Completed semester units in CD, human services, or related fields (preferred).

RELATED EXPERIENCE: Previous experience working with children (infants, toddlers, preschool and/or school-age) in a group setting (preferred). Ability to plan, organize and implement age-appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities in a drop in care setting. Previous experience with diverse populations preferred. Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS: Strong character values (respect, responsibility, honesty, caring); strong communication skills; emotional maturity

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS: Adult, Infant and Child CPR/First Aid/AED Certifications. Completion of child abuse prevention training prior to first day in program

WORK ENVIRONMENT/MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• You must have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Ability to plan, lead, and participate in activities.
• Job is performed in indoor as well as outdoor environments throughout the year.
• Job does include water-related activities.
• Ability to lift 30-35lbs.