Child Activity Center Leader
About The Position
The Child Activity Center Leader supports the YMCA’s mission of strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The role builds positive, nurturing relationships with children and cooperative relationships with parents, caregivers, and staff. The leader supports children’s potential, facilitates peer connections, and implements programming focused on holistic child development. The position provides a quality experience centered on achievement, belonging, and relationships among youth and families. The role plans and leads age- and developmentally appropriate activities in a drop-in care setting, supervises children, maintains a safe and clean program environment, and communicates with families and the supervisor about children’s development. The position follows YMCA policies, applicable regulations, safety and reporting procedures, and child abuse prevention practices. Work takes place indoors and outdoors throughout the year and includes water-related activities.
Requirements
- Must be at least 16 years old as a third team member included in the CAC ratio, or at least 18 years old.
- Ability to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate program activities in a drop-in care setting.
- Strong character values, including respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring.
- Strong communication skills and emotional maturity.
- Current approved First Aid, AED, and Adult, Infant, and Child CPR certifications.
- Complete child abuse prevention training before the first day in the program.
- Physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Ability to plan, lead, and participate in activities.
- Ability to lift 30–35 pounds.
Nice To Haves
- Completed semester units in child development, human services, or related fields.
- Previous experience working with children—including infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and/or school-age children—in a group setting.
- Previous experience with diverse populations.
- Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.
Responsibilities
- Nurture children through purposeful programming that builds achievement, belonging, and relationships among youth and families.
- Maintain close visual supervision of children and ensure that no child is left unsupervised or staff alone with a child.
- Organize the environment according to the ages and developmental needs of children present.
- Help children manage behavior through positive approaches, proactive strategies, redirection, and constructive discipline.
- Support inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act where appropriate.
- Assist with planning and implementing culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate activities consistent with YMCA values and program guidelines.
- Follow safety and cleanliness standards; maintain program areas and equipment; and keep required program records.
- Observe each child and communicate with the supervisor regarding child development.
- Cultivate positive relationships and effective communication with parents and caregivers; engage them as volunteers and connect them to the YMCA.
- Attend and participate in family events, program activities, staff meetings, and trainings as needed.
- Follow YMCA policies and procedures concerning medical matters, restroom use, discipline, child abuse prevention, emergencies, safety, supervision, mandated reporting, and risk management.
- Follow reporting procedures and proactively respond to situations to ensure a safe environment.
- Comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and YMCA policies and procedures.
- Model relationship-building skills, including Listen First, and demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character and YMCA Core Values in dealings with members, guests, volunteers, and staff.
- Develop competencies in mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness, and personal growth.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
