SACC Worker

YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION KANKAKEE • Kankakee, IL

1d • $15 - $17 • Onsite

About The Position

The School Age Program Aide provides direct, attentive supervision, safety, engagement, and positive youth development experiences for children participating in Kankakee Area YMCA School Age Programs. This position supports Before School Care, After School Care, Early Release Days, School Out Days, and other assigned out-of-school-time programming. The School Age Program Aide implements assigned curriculum and enrichment activities that support academic growth, social-emotional development, healthy living, character development, creativity, and recreation; builds positive relationships with children and families; and helps maintain a safe, welcoming, inclusive, organized, and mission-aligned program environment. This position models the YMCA core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent required; current college enrollment or coursework in education, recreation, child development, or a related field preferred.
• Previous experience working with children, preferably in a childcare, school-age, camp, recreation, or youth development setting.
• Ability and willingness to actively lead and participate in age-appropriate activities, games, arts and crafts, recreation, and curriculum-based programming.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively and professionally with children, families, school personnel, and coworkers.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and adapt to changing schedules, program locations, participant needs, and operational priorities.
• Must pass required background checks and meet YMCA child protection and applicable program employment standards.
• Previous experience working with diverse populations preferred.
• Must be able to read, understand, and consistently follow YMCA policies, site procedures, participant plans, emergency procedures, curriculum materials, and required documentation.
• Must complete required pre-service, orientation, health and safety, Mandated Reporter, Child Abuse Prevention, CPR/First Aid/AED, food safety/food handler (when applicable), Sexual Harassment, and other required program training and certifications within established YMCA and regulatory timelines.
• Must successfully complete all required background screening and fingerprinting and remain eligible to work in the program under applicable Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC), Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), YMCA, and school-partner requirements.
• Ability to lead and actively participate in program activities in indoor and outdoor settings.
• Ability to move throughout school and program environments and supervise children during activities and transitions.
• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds and engage in activities that may include walking, running, bending, kneeling, and sitting on the floor.
• Must have sufficient mobility, stamina, vision, and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, to provide active supervision, respond promptly to emergencies, and safely participate in program activities in varied indoor and outdoor environments.

Nice To Haves

• current college enrollment or coursework in education, recreation, child development, or a related field preferred.
• Previous experience working with diverse populations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision of assigned children, maintaining required supervision practices and supporting the safety, well-being, and active engagement of all participants.
• Reviews, prepares for, facilitates, and actively participates in assigned weekly curriculum and enrichment activities that are developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and aligned with YMCA values and program goals.
• Uses positive guidance and behavior-management techniques; redirects inappropriate behavior, supports children in resolving challenges, and promptly reports significant or recurring concerns to the Childcare Coordinator – School Age Programs or designated Site Lead.
• Maintains accurate attendance and participant accountability, including regular head counts during activities and transitions.
• Follows YMCA policies and procedures related to emergencies, medical needs, discipline, child abuse prevention, incident reporting, participant release, and other safety requirements.
• Verifies authorized individuals at pickup in accordance with YMCA procedures, including checking photo identification when required.
• Assists with daily setup, cleanup, snack/meal service, activity preparation, supply organization, and the cleanliness and readiness of program spaces.
• Respects and follows the policies, expectations, and shared-space requirements of each school or community partner location.
• Builds positive and professional relationships with children, parents/guardians, school personnel, coworkers, and YMCA leadership.
• Communicates participant needs, incidents, injuries, safety concerns, supply needs, and other program issues to the appropriate program leadership in a timely manner.
• Attends required staff meetings, trainings, and professional development and completes required certifications within established timelines.
• Serves as a positive role model and demonstrates professionalism, teamwork, reliability, adaptability, and YMCA values in all interactions.
• Maintains professional boundaries with children and families and follows all YMCA child abuse prevention practices and codes of conduct.
• Participates in emergency drills and follows site-specific emergency, evacuation, severe-weather, lockdown, and reunification procedures as trained.
• Follows established procedures for participant allergies, medications, health needs, emergency action plans, and accommodations within the employee’s training and authorized scope of responsibility.
• Maintains confidentiality and protects participant, family, employee, and school information in accordance with YMCA policy and applicable requirements.
• Supports social-emotional learning, positive peer relationships, inclusion, cooperation, and a sense of belonging for every participant.
• Provides age-appropriate homework and academic support when included in the program schedule and encourages children’s independence, confidence, and progress without completing work for them.
• Maintains active and attentive supervision at all times, remaining alert to participant location, behavior, environmental hazards, and changing conditions; staff may not engage in activities that interfere with supervision responsibilities.
• Performs other responsible program-related duties as assigned within the scope of the position.
• Takes ownership of daily site readiness, organization, cleanliness, program flow, and closing/reset procedures.
• Provides day-to-day direction and support to staff assigned to the site while reinforcing expectations established by the Childcare Coordinator – School Age Programs.
• Conducts brief staff check-ins to review assignments, schedules, curriculum, participant needs, and daily priorities.
• Helps ensure required staff-to-child ratios and participant supervision are maintained and promptly communicates coverage concerns.
• Ensures the daily schedule and assigned weekly curriculum are implemented consistently and with active staff participation.
• Ensures attendance, participant release, food/snack records, incident documentation, and other required site records are completed accurately and timely.
• Serves as the primary on-site contact for routine communication with families and school personnel and escalates significant concerns to the Childcare Coordinator – School Age Programs.
• Supports staff with positive behavior-management strategies, participant needs, onboarding, and day-to-day program expectations.
• Communicates staffing concerns, supply needs, safety issues, participant concerns, and operational needs to the Childcare Coordinator – School Age Programs.
• Models YMCA expectations and provides appropriate on-site guidance; formal coaching, corrective action, scheduling decisions, and employee discipline remain the responsibility of program leadership.
• Ensures YMCA equipment, supplies, participant information, and program materials are appropriately secured at the conclusion of programming.
• Monitors the quality of the daily participant experience and promptly addresses or escalates concerns related to supervision, curriculum delivery, professionalism, cleanliness, or program standards.
• Confirms staff are aware of site-specific emergency procedures and takes on-site leadership during emergencies until relieved by program leadership or emergency personnel.

Benefits

• Free adult YMCA membership (upgrade to Family Membership for $20.00/month, subject to change).
• Discounts on YMCA programs.
• Access to the Retirement Fund after meeting eligibility requirements.
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement.
• A diverse and inclusive work environment.
• Supportive community.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED