Instructor, Other Programs

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•Gardena, CA

1d•$18 - $18•Onsite

About The Position

The Instructor supports the YMCA’s work to strengthen the 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 community partners. The Instructor promotes the potential of all youth, encourages peer connections, provides direction in the classroom, and teaches topic-focused curriculum aimed at skill mastery. The position helps create a quality experience centered on achievement, belonging, and positive relationships among youth and families. The Instructor plans and leads age-appropriate classes focused on a specific topic or skill, culminating in an end-of-session exposition or showcase. The role maintains close visual supervision of assigned children, follows program ratios, supports behavior through positive strategies, and upholds safety, cleanliness, inclusion, and YMCA program standards. The Instructor communicates with and engages parents, maintains required records and equipment, participates in family and program events, meetings, and training, and follows YMCA policies and applicable regulations, including procedures for emergencies, medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, mandated reporting, and risk management. The position is part-time, up to 29 hours, with an evening shift at the Gardena Carson Family YMCA in Gardena, California. Work takes place indoors and outdoors throughout the year and includes water-related activities. Travel is negligible.

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 and developmentally appropriate activities around a specific focus area.
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.
Ability to plan, lead, and participate in activities.
Physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
Ability to lift 30–35 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Completed semester units in Child Development, human services, or a related field, depending on the topic to be 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 positive 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 topic- and skill-focused classes, culminating in an exposition or showcase at the end of the session.
Follow program safety and cleanliness standards; maintain the site, equipment, and required program records in accordance with YMCA expectations.
Cultivate positive relationships and 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 as needed.
Follow YMCA policies and procedures for medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, emergencies, mandated reporting, supervision, and risk management.
Follow 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.
Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character and YMCA Core Values in dealings with members, guests, volunteers, and fellow staff.
Demonstrate and develop competencies in mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness, and personal growth.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.