Child Activity Center Leader

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•Torrance, CA

3d•$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 role creates positive, nurturing relationships with children and cooperative relationships with parents or caregivers and staff. It supports children’s potential, encourages peer connections, implements curriculum focused on holistic child development, and provides a quality experience centered on achievement, belonging, and relationships.

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 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 functions of the job, 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.
Maintain close visual supervision of children and organize the environment according to their ages and developmental needs; ensure children are not left unsupervised or alone with a staff member.
Help children manage behavior through positive approaches, proactive strategies, redirection, and constructive discipline using natural and logical consequences.
Support inclusion and, where appropriate, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Assist with planning and implementing culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate activities consistent with YMCA values and guidelines.
Follow safety and cleanliness standards; maintain the program and equipment and keep required program records.
Make ongoing observations of children and communicate with the supervisor about their 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, and emergencies.
Follow reporting procedures and respond proactively to situations to ensure a safe environment.
Comply with applicable 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.
Uphold YMCA safety, supervision, mandated reporting, and risk-management policies.
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.