YD Broward, Counselor, Special Needs, 26-27 School Year

The YMCA of South Florida • Ft. Lauderdale, FL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Site Supervisor, the Special Needs Counselor is responsible for the overall day-to-day group programming, behavior management, and direct supervision of a group of children in a licensed child care/day camp facility. This role involves implementing age and developmentally appropriate activities, tracking children's progress, distributing snacks, coordinating with facility personnel, documenting behavior issues, conducting health checks, maintaining professional courtesy, and ensuring adherence to emergency procedures. The counselor also preserves the quality of supplies and equipment, conducts safety inspections, and completes administrative forms. Attendance at staff meetings and training is required, along with reporting all incidents and accidents within 24 hours. Adherence to Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting requirements and maintaining proper staff-to-child ratios are critical. The role requires a hands-on approach, focusing on executing association protocols, performance metrics, customer service, and administrative duties.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Minimum Two (2) years’ experience including One (1) year experience of direct contact with children with special needs.
• Ability to relate to children.
• The Counselor I must be at least eighteen (18) years-old at the time of hire.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing.
• Must have a demonstrated competency in the planning and implementation of recreational and educational activities.
• Current CPR and First Aid certificates by time of employment or within ninety (90) days from the date of hire.
• Innate desire to provide excellent customer service.
• Outgoing personality enjoys speaking to people.
• Must successfully complete a drug test.
• Must submit to and satisfactorily clear a thorough Level II fingerprint background screening.

Nice To Haves

• The Ten (10) Hour Developmentally Appropriate Module (Preferred- School Age Appropriate Practices).

Responsibilities

• Supervise and implement activities for a group of children in accordance to both age and developmentally appropriate practices as outlined by licensing agency, State of Florida and the YMCA of South Florida mission.
• Conduct and maintain any necessary measurable tools to track children’s progress.
• Distribute nutritious snacks on a daily basis using universal health/sanitation practices.
• Maintain coordination with facility personnel for safety and benefit of children in the program.
• Document behavior issues and/or incidents daily, as needed.
• Conduct a health check of each child daily, noting fever, bumps, bruises, burns, or other questionable signs of abuse and document the incident with the Site Supervisor.
• Maintain high level of professional courtesy with parents, facility personnel, staff and clients at all times.
• Know and follow proper emergency procedures appropriate to the facility and in conformity with procedures adopted by the YMCA of South Florida and emergency service authorities to ensure the safety of children.
• Preserve the quality of supplies, equipment and materials.
• Ensuring proper supply by reporting re-order needs to the Site Supervisor.
• Provide regular inspections of areas used by the program to ensure both cleanliness and safety.
• Check bathrooms for supplies and basic cleanliness before allowing participants to enter.
• Document all necessary administrative forms as directed by Site Supervisor and/or Program Manager.
• Attendance at all staff meetings and training opportunities.
• Report all incidents and accidents within 24 hours to the corporate office.
• Adhere to the Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting requirements that mandate by law all childcare personnel to report suspicions of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
• Ensure that the proper staffs to child ratios are maintained at all times and reports discrepancies to the Site Supervisor as needed.
• Assist the Site Supervisor in any other appropriate ways as directed.

Benefits

• YMCA COMPETENCIES (i.e. Leader, Team Leader, Multi-Team / Branch Leader): Mission Advancement : Reinforces the Y’s values within the organization and the community. Effectively communicates the benefits and impact of the YMCA’s efforts for all stakeholders. Implements effective systems to develop volunteers at program and fundraising leadership levels. Collaboration : Develops strategies to ensure staff and volunteers reflect the community. Builds and nurtures strategic relationships to enhance support for the YMCA. Communicates for influence to attain buy-in and support of goals. Provides tools and resources for the development of others. Operational Effectiveness: Integrates multiple thinking processes to make decisions. Involves members and community in the development of programs and activities. Ensures execution of plans. Institutes sound accounting procedures and financial controls. Assigns clear accountability and ensures continuous improvement.

What This Job Offers

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