Instructor, Other Programs
About The Position
The Instructor (youth programs) supports the YMCA’s mission of strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The role builds nurturing relationships with children and cooperative relationships with parents and caregivers, staff, and community partners. The Instructor supports young people’s potential, encourages peer connections, provides classroom direction, and teaches curriculum focused on mastering specific skills. The position aims to create a quality experience centered on youth achievement and belonging and strong relationships among youth and within families. The Instructor plans and leads classes around a specific topic and skill area, culminating in an end-of-session exposition or showcase. The role includes supervising children, supporting positive behavior, maintaining program safety and cleanliness, communicating with families, keeping required records, and following YMCA policies and applicable regulations. Work takes place indoors and outdoors throughout the year and may include water-related activities.
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate activities around a specific area of focus.
- 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.
- Ability to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including the physical, visual, and auditory abilities required.
- 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 led.
- 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 community partners.
- Support youth development, achievement, belonging, and peer-to-peer connections.
- Provide direction and maintain close visual supervision of assigned children in accordance with program or class ratios; ensure children are not left unsupervised and staff are not alone with a child.
- Help children manage behavior using positive approaches, proactive strategies, redirection, and constructive discipline with natural and logical consequences.
- Plan and implement classes focused on a specific topic and skill mastery, culminating in an exposition or showcase at the end of the session.
- 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.
- Communicate effectively with parents, cultivate positive relationships, engage parents 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 and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, emergencies, safety, supervision, mandated reporting, and risk management.
- Follow reporting procedures and proactively respond to situations to maintain a safe environment.
- Comply with current federal, state, and local regulations and YMCA policies and procedures.
- Model relationship-building skills, including Listen First, and demonstrate YMCA Core Values and the Six Pillars of Character in interactions.
- Demonstrate and develop competencies in 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
