Program Assistant (5219)

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•Torrance, CA

19h

About The Position

The Program Assistant supports the YMCA’s youth programs and its mission of strengthening 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 supports youth participation and potential, encourages peer connections, and helps create a program experience centered on achievement, belonging, and relationships among youth and within families. The position includes supervising groups of children according to program ratios; helping children manage behavior through positive strategies; planning and implementing topic- and skill-based classes; and maintaining program safety, cleanliness, equipment, and records. The Program Assistant communicates with and engages parents, participates in family and program events, meetings, and training, and follows YMCA policies and applicable regulations, including procedures for safety, emergencies, medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, mandated reporting, and risk management. The role calls for modeling YMCA values and relationship-building skills, including Listen First, and demonstrating or developing leadership competencies in mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness, and personal growth. Work takes place in indoor and outdoor environments throughout the year and includes water-related activities.

Requirements

Must be at least 16 years old.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Employees under age 18 must have a school-issued work permit.
Ability to assist with planning, organizing, and implementing age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate program activities around a specific focus area.
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 the essential 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 a related field.
Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.

Responsibilities

Nurture children through purposeful programming that promotes achievement, belonging, and positive relationships.
Maintain close visual supervision of assigned children and follow the ratios required for each program or class; ensure no child is left unsupervised and staff are not alone with a child while attending the program or class.
Help children manage behavior using proactive strategies, redirection, and constructive discipline with natural and logical consequences.
Support inclusion and, where appropriate, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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, equipment, and 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 training 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 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; 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.
Develop competencies in mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness, and personal growth.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.