Group Leader Before and After School

Punta Gorda, FL

About the position

This position can work up to 5 days a week depending on need of sites. This role has a home base of Cooper Street Rec Center but the work can be at several other local elementary schools we provide before and after school services to. It is considered a float role that helps keep staffing ratios. A willingness to travel to those sites and adequate transportation are needed to be successful in this role. Under the supervision of the Program Director and Site Coordinator, the position is responsible for the direct care, supervision and well being of all participants enrolled in the Before/After School Program/Summer Camp.

Responsibilities

• Executes high quality, age-appropriate activities for enrolled participants.
• Actively encourages participation in all activities to ensure growth and development.
• Responsible for the physical safety of the participants at all times, including understanding and being able to implement emergency procedures as necessary.
• Monitors the program area at all times to ensure physical safety, and immediately makes changes, as necessary.
• Release participants ONLY to authorized persons (must ask for ID).
• Ensures the childcare facility is neat, orderly and free of all safety impediments.
• Develops and fosters interpersonal relationships between participants and caregiver/families; proactively creates a positive, welcoming environment of cooperation, friendliness, and helpfulness towards staff and customers.
• Actively listens to all participants and shows patience, understanding, and respect for others.
• Actively protects the emotional safety of all participants and encourages development of social skills and emotional intelligence.
• Creates an environment where participants are free to be themselves.
• Actively and enthusiastically maintains open channels of communication with caregivers, seeking to build a trusting and cooperative relationship with families.
• Establishes structure and routines for participants by setting boundaries and behavior guidelines.
• Exemplifies appropriate behavior and is a role model for participants.
• Continuously orients, instructs and guides participants through the guidelines of the program and ensures adherence; disciplines participants within established guidelines of the YMCA and caregiver, and only when appropriate.
• Documents attendance, absenteeism and incidents for each child in compliance with state/county/district requirements.
• Immediately reports all unusual incidents or accidents to the Program Director and fills out all applicable and necessary reports.
• Other job-related duties as assigned may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of this position.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or over the age of 18.
• Successfully complete State of Florida Criminal History Background Check requirements as well as meet the Association’s policies on background screening.
• Prior experience working with children.
• Able to adhere to drug/alcohol/smoke free workplace policy.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Positive attitude.

Nice-to-haves

• Infant/child CPR & First Aid certification.
• Annual completion of YMCA Blood Borne Pathogens training.
• Annual completion of YMCA Child Sexual Abuse Prevention class.
• 40 clock hours of Introduction to Child Care Training class (State Mandated).
• 5 clock hours of Early Literacy and Language Development Training class.
• 40 clock hours of annual In-Service training completed between July 1st and June 30th of each calendar year (CDA certified personnel only require 10 clock hours).
• Staff Safety Requirements/Cleaning Protocols.
• Additional training classes as recommended by Supervisor.