Teen Counselor (Part-Time)

YMCA Of Central Massachusetts•Worcester, MA

About The Position

The Teen Counselor maintains a supportive, positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals, providing direct leadership, instruction, and motivation for students in the Teen Program. The role facilitates enrichment activities, provides mentorship, fosters positive peer interactions, and promotes social-emotional development. The counselor implements Teen Program curriculum under close supervision and helps teens develop leadership, literacy competencies, values, and physical fitness through activities. The position also plans age-appropriate activities and lesson plans aligned with Leaders Club, Youth & Government, Teen, and MAP Programs; supports community outreach and collaborative relationships; and helps ensure a safe, clean, growth-promoting environment. This is a part-time position scheduled Monday through Friday, 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The role reports to an assigned supervisor for progress reviews and must maintain the assigned schedule, which aligns with camp days and hours.

Requirements

Minimum age of 21.
Complete Working with Program Volunteers, CPR, First Aid, AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens training within 30 days of hire.
Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.

Nice To Haves

Two years of related experience working with teens and at-risk youth.
Driver’s license.

Responsibilities

Direct and supervise Teen Program activities to meet YMCA objectives.
Implement Teen Program curriculum under close supervision, supporting leadership development, literacy competencies, values, and physical fitness in an activity-based environment.
Prepare for group activities by planning and providing necessary equipment, supplies, a safe environment, and activity leadership.
Serve as a positive role model and follow agency ethics, boundaries, and behavior-management standards while maintaining healthy relationships.
Establish new program activities and expand the program within the community in accordance with strategies to motivate staff and achieve goals.
Support marketing and distribution efforts and develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations.
Plan innovative, age-appropriate activities and develop lesson plans aligned with Leaders Club, Youth & Government, Teen, and MAP Programs.
Assist with program operations.
Maintain attendance records and complete incident reports.
Observe participants and report progress or changes to supervisors.
Ensure participants’ health, safety, and well-being through close supervision of activities.
Work as part of a professional team to provide a positive, growth-promoting environment for children.
Keep the facility clean and conduct safety sweeps before activities; know participants’ whereabouts and maintain an accurate count of children in care.
Communicate the YMCA philosophy and Teen Program goals to participants and parents.
Meet with the assigned supervisor at designated times to review progress.
Maintain the assigned work schedule and report consistently, reliably, and on time.