Description

OUR CULTURE:

Guiding Principles describe our behaviors to support our organization’s work throughout its life in all circumstances, irrespective of changes in goals, strategies, and leadership. Our Guiding Principles are as follows: We CULTIVATE-We grow staff and volunteer leaders who will be stewards of the Y mission, resources, and opportunities. We OWN-We think long-term and act on behalf of the organization, beyond our own team. We WELCOME-We are inclusive of all people and all communities. We SERVE-We provide timely and excellent service to members, volunteers, community, and each other. We LEARN-We are never done learning and always seek to improve. We are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them. We UNITE-We work together to achieve big goals and speak as one voice. We RESPECT-We treat others with kindness and speak positively about other people in all situations. We PLAY-We celebrate, appreciate, and have fun!

The YMCA of Great Grand Rapids utilizes a Membership By Design framework, which is a member involvement and community building model for YMCAs across the country. All staff members—front-line, management, full- and part-time—and volunteers have a role to play in member engagement. These responsibilities can be broken into six steps:

1. Enrollment: Staff and volunteers encourage potential members to enroll in programs and activities that meet their needs.
2. Satisfaction: Staff and volunteers ask members continually about their satisfaction with a program or activity, track responses, listen to suggestions, and respond promptly in a manner consistent with the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
3. Relationship Building: Staff and volunteers are open, friendly, and approachable to all YMCA members and participants. Staff and volunteers initiate interaction with and between members.
4. Education and Conversion: Staff and volunteers know about and share their knowledge of the YMCA, its programs, its policies, its mission, its values, and how it benefits members and the community.
5. Volunteerism and Leadership: Staff and volunteers create opportunities for members to volunteer in their areas of interest, and they ask members to do so whenever appropriate.
6. Ownership: Staff and volunteers encourage members to “own” the YMCA, using words such as “we,” “us,” and “our association” (and actions that match those words) to include members as well as staff and volunteers.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Association School Age & Day Camp Specialist is accountable for supporting operation of school age and day camp programming across the association. Under the guidance of the Association School Age Director, this position is part of the team designing and implementing high-quality Day Camp and School Age programming. This position requires face-to-face leadership in these programs and involves early morning, evening, and potential weekend responsibilities. The Association School Age & Day Camp Specialist is a grant funded position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Helps develop association-wide standards of practice which support organizational initiatives and program quality for day camp and licensed school age programming. 
• Completes monthly program evaluations. 
• Monitors and evaluates the integration of program curriculum to ensure it is in alignment with development milestones and grant requirements.
• Supports and drives the day camp and school age teams to continuously implement development appropriate curriculum.
• Continuously reviews program quality and develops tools (such as checklist and trainings) intended to support high quality programs. 
• Supports the HR department in association-wide recruitment and retention events and initiatives relating to day camp and school age programs. Supports the Association in recruitment of diverse staff and volunteers.
• Assists with association training events and experiences for branch day camps and school age programs.
• Creates and facilitates small group training on youth development and cultural relevant content.
• Provides leadership and ensures that all day camp sites comply with state licensing rules and regulations.
• Develops and implements tracking systems to support grant compliance and completion. 
• Works in partnership with school-age and day camp teams to ensure overall program compliance. 
• Builds positive relationships with relevant community and school partners, families, and youth.
• Supports classroom-teaching duties if needed for ratio compliance and staff absences.
• Support implementation of Character Development of the YMCA in programming.
• Helps children manage behavior by using a positive approach, including proactive strategies, redirection and using constructive discipline with natural and logical consequences.
• Supports staff in implementing program curriculum and activities that focus on skill development, are developmentally appropriate, and consistent with the YMCA values, and established guidelines.
• Follows YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention and emergencies. Follows reporting procedures and proactively responds to situations to ensure a safe environment for all involved. 
• Attends and participates in fundraising activities, family events, program activities, staff meetings and trainings as assigned.
• Cultivates positive relationships and maintains effective communication with parents. Engages parents and connects them to the YMCA.

Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. 

COMPENSATION

$19.71 - $23.08 ; Full-Time, Non Exempt (40 hours/week)

FULL TIME BENEFITS:

• Free YMCA Family Membership!
• 50% discount off the regular rate for each child registered in a YMCA childcare program. Full-time YMCA employees working in a licensed childcare program will receive a 50% discount on all Early Learning (including infant room), School-Age, and Day Camp registrations.
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off, beginning at three weeks per year
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• On-Demand Pay: Get your paycheck on your schedule
• Up to a 10% retirement contribution upon eligibility
• 403(b) retirement savings account
• The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. More information can be found here .
• Long term disability, basic life insurance and other voluntary benefits
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program and resources for you and your family
• Community Discounts, and more!

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Preferred bachelor’s degree (BA, BS) from four-year college or university; two or more years’ experience working in a camp setting, along with two summers of camp experience in either a day or resident camp setting; knowledge and experience designing, executing and reporting on diversity, equity, and inclusion; or equivalent combination of education and experience. First Aid, CPR, and BBP or attain within 60 days of hire. Must have a valid driver’s license; experience with computers, including personal computer applications such as database and word processing. Ability to respond to safety and emergency situations. Ability to interact with people of all ethnic backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles. Excellent verbal and written communication skills preferred in both English and Spanish.  Desire and ability to work outdoors with children. YMCA and camp experience preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION

• Fingerprinting
• DHS clearance
• Negative T.B. test and proof of current physical exam
• Blood Borne Pathogen training
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification required within the first 60 days
• First Aid Certification required within the first 60 days
• AED-Oxygen Certification required within the first 60 days
• State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT)

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

TRAVEL

50 - 75% of local travel within the state of Michigan; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for educational conferences or training.