Y Pals (After School) Counselor
About The Position
This position supports the Bloomington-Normal YMCA’s mission of strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Under the supervision of the Director of Youth Development, the Y Pals (After School) Counselor provides temporary care for children in an after-school setting, following YMCA policies and procedures. Counselors model and foster the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, and promote children’s healthy development of spirit, mind, and body. The role involves supervising children, maintaining a safe and clean environment, supporting positive behavior, building relationships with children and families, and applying youth development principles. Staff must follow YMCA and applicable state and county health and safety regulations, complete required reports and trainings, and report suspected child abuse according to established protocols. The work environment may include prolonged standing, bending, walking, hiking, climbing, stretching, occasional lifting of 50+ pounds, moderate to loud noise, and exposure to outdoor elements. The position requires occasional stooping, kneeling, and crawling. The YMCA requires staff to complete Child Abuse Prevention Training at hire and annually. Additional training and certifications provided during onboarding or within the first 60 days include Illinois Mandated Reporter Certification, Illinois Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Training, CPR/AED/First Aid certification, and OSHA training including Bloodborne Pathogens. The YMCA is an equal opportunity employer. Information about employee benefits is available on the organization’s website; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Ability to interact with children and adults of all ages.
- Ability to perform multiple tasks concurrently.
- Proficiency in understanding the developmental needs of youth.
- Complete Child Abuse Prevention Training at hire and annually.
- Complete Illinois Mandated Reporter Certification, Illinois Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Training, CPR/AED/First Aid certification, and OSHA training including Bloodborne Pathogens during onboarding or within the first 60 days of employment.
Nice To Haves
- Spanish language proficiency, written and spoken.
- Related higher education in child development or childcare.
- Proven experience in leadership, supervision, and childcare.
- CPR/AED certification; the posting states this is provided upon hire.
Responsibilities
- Maintain attendance records.
- Maintain a safe and clean environment.
- Provide sensitive care to children, meeting them where they are.
- Promote program opportunities to parents.
- Apply basic youth development principles through communication, relationship development, respect for diversity, and youth involvement and empowerment.
- Supervise children according to applicable health and safety regulations and guidelines.
- Support and encourage children, using specific examples of their actions and words and helping them replace undesired behavior with positive choices.
- Communicate needs related to supplies and materials regularly.
- Build relationships with children, observe group dynamics, and connect with children who need extra attention and support.
- Report suspicions of child abuse according to established protocols and the required guidelines of the Illinois Mandated Reporter manual.
- Follow YMCA procedures and state and county health and safety regulations.
- Complete incident reports as required by YMCA guidelines.
- Perform other duties as assigned based on departmental need.
- Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
