Sports Program Assistant (5120)

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Sports Program Assistant supports the YMCA’s work to strengthen the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The position builds positive, nurturing relationships with children and cooperative relationships with parents and caregivers, staff, and community partners. The assistant promotes youth potential, encourages peer connections, and provides a quality program experience focused on achievement, belonging, and relationships among children and families. The role includes planning and leading age-appropriate classes focused on a specific topic and skill development, with a session-end exposition or showcase. The assistant supervises assigned children, supports positive behavior, follows safety and inclusion practices, maintains program sites, equipment, and records, and communicates with families. The role also involves attending program and family events, meetings, and trainings; following YMCA policies and applicable regulations; and demonstrating YMCA values and leadership competencies.

Requirements

At least 16 years of age.
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 activities in a specific area of focus.
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 and Adult, Infant, and Child CPR certifications.
Complete child abuse prevention training before the first day in the program.
Ability to plan, lead, and participate in activities.
Physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
Ability to lift 30–35 pounds.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Build nurturing relationships with children and cooperative relationships with parents and caregivers, staff, and partners.
Promote youth development, achievement, belonging, and peer-to-peer connections.
Maintain close visual supervision of assigned children and follow the required program or class ratios; ensure children are not left unsupervised and staff are not alone with a child.
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 around a specific topic and skill mastery, culminating in an exposition or showcase at the end of the session.
Follow program safety and cleanliness standards; maintain the site and equipment and required program records.
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 for 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; 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 and demonstrate competencies in mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness, and personal growth.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.