Under the direction of the Sr. Director of High School Initiatives and consistent with the Christian mission of the YMCA, the Level Up Counselor will be responsible for assisting in the coordination and implementation of the college/career readiness curriculum (University of Chicago), character/leadership development component and case management services of the Level Up Program at the assigned branch. Counselors should create a positive rapport and interact with youth in a positive, warm, and nurturing manner. Providing each student participant with the opportunity to develop academically, socially, mentally and spiritually.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: • Attend required YMCA trainings (in-person and online) prior to start date. • Understand the YMCA’s mission, programs, and core values. • In coordination with the Site Coordinator; implement innovative student engagement activities to drive program retention and student success, and select appropriate resources to achieve program goals. • Organizes, plans, and keeps program records effectively, ensure student data (attendance rosters, contact information, any and all forms of tracked data) are accurate.  • Assist with parent meetings and workshops as needed. Partners with youth and parents/caregivers to achieve youth outcomes. • Apply strategies to assist youth in learning to express emotions in positive ways. • Lead TSP Activities and organize programming schedules. • Assist with student registration and volunteer engagement on site. • Attend scheduled staff meetings. • Assist with dismissal to ensure student safety. • Assist Site Coordinator and High School Initiatives Manager in other duties as assigned. • Advisors should facilitate daily opportunities for youth to reflect on and respond to their experiences.

Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma required 5 years of experience in youth programs/development required. Experience in youth development, mentoring, or afterschool programming. Basic understanding of the YMCA, its mission, goals and objectives and how these are essential to the operation of Achievers. Adhere to all rules, regulations and policies set forth by the YMCA Possess a strong commitment to youth with a high sense of urgency to impact their lives in a significant way. Use effective listening and verbal skills, including positive body language and tone of voice. Must be attentive to detail, able to work under pressure of accuracy and deadlines. Ability to adapt to change, problem solve, and course correct as new information emerges.. Use best practices, guidelines, and methods of youth development in daily work.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Ability to work 6-8 hours per week over a fall/spring semester timeframe. 2. Ability to walk, stand, and sit for long periods of time. 3. Must be able to lift equipment. 4. Ability to stand or sit while maintaining alertness for several hours at a time. 5. Position may require bending, leaning, kneeling, and walking. 6. Ability to speak concisely and effectively communicate. 7. Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency. 8. CPR, first aid, AED certifications, and child abuse prevention training prior to start date.