Program Assistant

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•Torrance, CA

1d•$18 - $18•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Assistant (youth programs) supports the YMCA’s work to strengthen community 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 community partners. The Program Assistant promotes the potential of youth, encourages peer connections, and provides a quality program experience focused on achievement, belonging, and relationships among youth and families. The position plans and implements classes around a specific topic and skill mastery, culminating in an end-of-session exposition or showcase. It provides close visual supervision of assigned children, supports positive behavior, maintains safe and clean program spaces and equipment, keeps required records, and follows YMCA policies and applicable regulations. The role also communicates with and engages parents, participates in program and family events, meetings, and trainings, and helps maintain a safe, inclusive environment.

Requirements

Must be at least 16 years old.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Employees under 18 must have a school-issued work permit.
Ability to assist in planning, organizing, and implementing age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate activities around a specific focus area.
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.
Adult, Infant, and Child CPR certifications.
Complete child abuse prevention training before the first day in the program.
Ability to perform 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

Previous experience working with school-age children in a group setting.
Previous experience with diverse populations.
Completed semester units in child development, human services, or related fields.

Responsibilities

Nurture children through purposeful programming that builds achievement, belonging, and relationships among youth and families.
Maintain close visual supervision of assigned children and follow the ratios for each program or class; ensure children are not left unsupervised or alone with a staff member.
Help children manage behavior through positive approaches, proactive strategies, redirection, and constructive discipline using 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 standards for safety and cleanliness; maintain program sites and equipment and required records in accordance with 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 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, including Listen First.
Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character and YMCA Core Values in dealings with members, guests, volunteers, and fellow staff.
Develop competencies in mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness, and personal growth.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.