Child Activity Center Leader

YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN LOS ANGELES•Burbank, CA

9d•$18 - $18•Onsite

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 position builds positive, nurturing relationships with children and cooperative relationships with parents or caregivers and staff. The Leader supports children’s potential, facilitates peer connections, and implements curriculum and activities focused on holistic child development. The role provides a quality experience for children and families centered on youth achievement, belonging, and relationships. The position maintains close visual supervision of children, organizes the environment around children’s ages and developmental needs, and uses positive approaches to guide behavior. It helps plan and implement culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate activities consistent with YMCA values and guidelines; maintains safety, cleanliness, equipment, and program records; observes children and communicates about their development; and cultivates effective relationships with families. The Leader follows YMCA policies and applicable regulations, including procedures for medical needs, restroom use, discipline, child abuse prevention, mandated reporting, and emergencies. The role also participates in family events, program activities, meetings, and trainings, and models YMCA values and relationship-building skills.

Requirements

Be at least 16 years old when serving as a third team member included in the Child Activity Center ratio, or at least 18 years old.
Ability to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate 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 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 in a group setting, including infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and/or school-age children.
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 positive relationships.
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 the children present.
Support children’s behavior using proactive strategies, redirection, constructive discipline, and 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 safety and cleanliness standards; maintain program areas and equipment; and keep required program records.
Make ongoing observations of each child and communicate with the supervisor regarding child 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, including those concerning medical needs, restroom usage, disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, and emergencies.
Follow reporting procedures and respond proactively to situations to help ensure a safe environment.
Comply with current federal, state, and local regulations and YMCA policies and procedures.
Model relationship-building skills, including Listen First, in interactions with children, families, staff, members, guests, and volunteers.
Uphold YMCA safety, supervision, mandated reporting, and risk-management policies; demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character and YMCA Core Values.
Develop competencies in mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness, and personal growth.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.