Instructor, Other Programs
About The Position
The Instructor supports the YMCA’s youth development work by creating positive, nurturing relationships with children and cooperative relationships with parents and caregivers, staff, and community partners. The Instructor promotes the potential of all youth, facilitates peer connections, provides classroom direction, and teaches curriculum focused on mastering specific skills. The role aims to provide children and families with a quality experience centered on achievement, belonging, and strong relationships. The Instructor plans and leads classes on a specific topic or skill area, culminating in an exposition or showcase at the end of the session. The position requires close visual supervision of assigned children, support for positive behavior, and compliance with safety, cleanliness, inclusion, and program standards. Work takes place in indoor and outdoor environments throughout the year and includes water-related activities.
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Strong character values, including respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring.
- Strong communication skills and emotional maturity.
- Ability to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate program activities in a specific area of focus.
- Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.
- 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 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 a related field 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
- Nurture children through purposeful programming that builds achievement, belonging, and relationships among youth and within families.
- Maintain close visual supervision of assigned children and follow ratios for the specific program or class; do not leave children unsupervised or staff alone with a child.
- Help children manage behavior using 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 end-of-session exposition or showcase.
- Follow program safety and cleanliness standards, maintain the site and equipment, and keep required program records in accordance with YMCA expectations.
- Cultivate positive relationships and communicate effectively with parents; 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, including those 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 maintain 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 in interactions.
- Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character and YMCA Core Values in dealings with members, guests, volunteers, and colleagues.
- Develop competencies 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
