Instructor, Other Programs
About The Position
The Instructor supports the YMCA’s work to strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The role builds positive, nurturing relationships with children and cooperative relationships with parents and caregivers, staff, and partners. The Instructor supports youth potential, facilitates peer connections, provides classroom direction, and teaches topic-focused curricula aimed at skill mastery. The position seeks to provide children and parents with a quality experience centered on youth achievement and belonging, relationships among youth, and connections within families. The Instructor plans and implements classes around a specific topic and skill area, ending each session with an exposition or showcase. The role supervises children, supports positive behavior, maintains safety and cleanliness, keeps program records, communicates with parents, and follows YMCA policies and applicable regulations. The work takes place indoors and outdoors throughout the year and includes water-related activities. The position is part-time, up to 29 hours, in San Pedro, California; travel is negligible and the job shift is listed as any.
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate program activities focused on a specific area, such as arts and humanities or sports skills.
- Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.
- Strong character values, including respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring.
- Strong communication skills and emotional maturity.
- Current approved First Aid certification and Adult, Infant, and Child CPR certifications within 60 days of hire.
- 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 related fields, preferably relevant to the topic being taught.
- Previous experience working with school-age children in a group setting.
- Previous experience with diverse populations.
- Y-USA Leader Certification.
Responsibilities
- Build nurturing relationships with children and cooperative relationships with parents and caregivers, staff, and partners.
- Support the potential of youth in programs and classes and facilitate peer-to-peer connections.
- Provide direction to support children in the classroom and teach curriculum focused on mastering specific skills.
- Plan and implement classes based on a specific topic and skill mastery, culminating in an end-of-session exposition or showcase.
- Maintain close visual supervision of assigned children and follow applicable program or class ratios; do not leave children unsupervised or staff alone with a child.
- 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.
- Follow program safety and cleanliness standards, maintain the site and equipment, and keep required program records according to YMCA expectations.
- Cultivate positive relationships and communicate effectively with parents; engage parents 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 and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, emergencies, safety, supervision, mandated reporting, and risk management.
- Follow reporting procedures and proactively respond to situations to help ensure a safe environment.
- Comply with current federal, state, and local regulations and YMCA policies and procedures.
- Maintain positive relationships with parents, YMCA team members, and community partners, modeling relationship-building skills including Listen First.
- Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character and YMCA Core Values in dealings with members, guests, volunteers, and fellow staff.
- Demonstrate competencies and willingness to develop in the Cause Driven Leadership areas of mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness, and personal growth.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
