Instructor, Other Programs (5097)

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•San Pedro, CA

18d

About The Position

The Instructor supports the YMCA’s work to strengthen community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The role creates positive, nurturing relationships with children and cooperative relationships with parents and caregivers, staff, and partners. The Instructor promotes youth potential, facilitates peer-to-peer connections, supports children in the classroom, and teaches curriculum focused on mastering specific skills. The position provides a quality experience for children and parents, with an emphasis on achievement, belonging, and positive relationships among youth and families. The Instructor plans and implements classes around a specific topic and skill mastery, culminating in an end-of-session exposition or showcase. The role supervises children, supports positive behavior, maintains a safe and clean program environment, keeps required records, communicates with parents, and follows YMCA policies and applicable regulations. The Instructor participates in family events, program activities, meetings, and trainings, and demonstrates YMCA values and leadership competencies.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Have strong character values, including respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring.
Have strong communication skills and emotional maturity.
Be able to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate activities around a specific focus area.
Be able to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.
Obtain current approved First Aid and Adult, Infant, and Child CPR certifications within 60 days of hire.
Complete child abuse prevention training before the first day in the program.
Have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Be able to plan, lead, and participate in activities.

Nice To Haves

Completed semester units in child development, human services, or related fields, depending on the topic to lead.
Previous experience working with school-age children in a group setting.
Previous experience working with diverse populations.
Y-USA Leader Certification.

Responsibilities

Nurture children through purposeful programming that builds achievement and belonging and strengthens relationships among youth and within families.
Maintain close visual supervision of assigned children and follow ratios for the specific program or class; never leave a child unsupervised or staff alone with a child.
Help children manage behavior through a positive approach, including proactive strategies, redirection, and constructive discipline with natural and logical consequences.
Support inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act where appropriate.
Plan and implement classes focused on a specific topic and skill mastery, culminating in an exposition or showcase at the end of the session.
Follow program safety and cleanliness standards, maintain the site and equipment, and keep required program records according to YMCA expectations.
Cultivate positive relationships and maintain effective communication with parents; engage parents as volunteers and connect them to the YMCA.
Attend and participate in family events, program activities, staff meetings, and trainings.
Follow YMCA policies and procedures related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, and emergencies.
Follow reporting procedures and respond proactively to situations to 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, and model relationship-building skills, including Listen First.
Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting, and risk management.
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 mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness, and personal growth.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.