Child Activity Center Leader (5220)

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•Torrance, CA

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. 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 among youth and families. The position plans and supports developmentally appropriate activities, supervises children, maintains a safe and clean program environment, and follows YMCA policies and applicable regulations. The leader communicates with families and supervisors, participates in program and family events and staff training, and models the YMCA’s values and relationship-building practices. The work takes place indoors and outdoors throughout the year and includes water-related activities.

Requirements

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—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.
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 using positive approaches, proactive 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 safety and cleanliness standards; maintain program spaces and equipment; and keep required program records.
Make ongoing observations of each child and communicate with the supervisor about children’s development.
Build positive relationships and communicate effectively with parents and caregivers; engage them as volunteers and connect them with 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 reporting procedures and respond proactively to situations to maintain a safe environment.
Comply with current federal, state, and local regulations and YMCA policies and procedures.
Maintain positive relationships with parents and YMCA team members and model relationship-building skills, including Listen First.
Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character and YMCA Core Values in dealings with members, guests, volunteers, and coworkers.
Develop and demonstrate competencies in mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness, and personal growth.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.