Child Activity Center Leader (5115)

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•San Pedro, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Child Activity Center Leader supports the YMCA’s work to strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The role creates nurturing relationships with children and cooperative relationships with parents, caregivers, and staff. It supports children’s potential, peer connections, and holistic development by implementing program curriculum and providing a quality experience focused on achievement, belonging, and relationships.

Requirements

Must be at least 16 years old if serving as a third team member included in the Child Activity Center ratio, or at least 18 years old otherwise.
Strong character values, including respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring.
Strong communication skills and emotional maturity.
Ability to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate activities in a drop-in care setting.
Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.
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 the 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 a related field.
Previous experience working with children—including infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and/or school-age children—in a group setting.
Previous experience with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

Nurture children through purposeful programming that builds achievement, belonging, and relationships among youth and within families.
Maintain close visual supervision of children and ensure no child is left unsupervised or alone with a staff member.
Organize the environment according to the ages and developmental needs of children in the program.
Help children manage behavior through positive strategies, redirection, and constructive discipline with natural and logical consequences.
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 guidelines.
Follow program safety and cleanliness standards; maintain the program, equipment, and required records.
Make ongoing observations of children and communicate with the supervisor regarding their development.
Build positive relationships and communicate effectively 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 for medical matters, restroom use, discipline, child abuse prevention, emergencies, safety, supervision, mandated reporting, and risk management.
Follow applicable federal, state, and local regulations and YMCA policies and procedures.
Model relationship-building skills, including Listen First, and maintain positive relationships with parents and YMCA team members.
Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character and YMCA Core Values in dealings with members, guests, volunteers, and fellow staff.
Develop and demonstrate Cause Driven Leadership competencies in mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness, and personal growth.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.