Program Assistant
About The Position
The Program Assistant supports the YMCA’s youth programs by creating positive, nurturing relationships with children and cooperative relationships with parents and caregivers, staff, and community partners. The role promotes youth potential, peer connections, achievement, and belonging, and provides a quality program experience for children and families. The assistant helps plan and lead age-appropriate classes centered on a specific topic and skill mastery, with sessions culminating in an exposition or showcase. The position also supports safe, inclusive programming, maintains program standards and records, communicates with parents, and participates in family events, staff meetings, and trainings. Work takes place in indoor and outdoor environments throughout the year and may include water-related activities.
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 with planning, organizing, and implementing age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate activities in a specific area of focus.
- Strong character values, including respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring.
- Strong communication skills and emotional maturity.
- Current approved First Aid and Adult, Infant, and Child CPR certifications.
- Complete child abuse prevention training before the first day in the program.
- Physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodations.
- 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 working with diverse populations.
- Completed semester units in child development, human services, or a related field.
- Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.
Responsibilities
- Nurture children through purposeful programming that builds achievement, belonging, and positive relationships among youth and families.
- Maintain close visual supervision of assigned children and follow applicable group ratios; ensure no child is left unsupervised or alone with a staff member.
- Help children manage behavior through positive 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 based on a specific topic and skill mastery, culminating in an end-of-session exposition or showcase.
- Follow program safety and cleanliness standards, maintain program sites and equipment, and keep required program records.
- Build positive relationships and communicate effectively with parents; encourage parent volunteering and connect families to the YMCA.
- Attend and participate in family events, program activities, staff meetings, and trainings as needed.
- Follow YMCA policies and procedures, including those for medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, emergencies, safety, supervision, mandated reporting, and risk management.
- Follow reporting procedures and respond proactively to situations to help 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.
- Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character and YMCA Core Values in dealings with members, guests, volunteers, and colleagues.
- Develop and demonstrate 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
