Afterschool Care Site Lead - Huntsville City Schools

The Afterschool Care Site Lead provides on-site leadership and support for the YMCA’s afterschool program, helping create a safe, welcoming, engaging, and well-organized environment for children, families, and staff.

This position serves as the primary point person for the assigned afterschool site during program hours and works directly alongside staff in the daily care and supervision of participants. The Site Lead helps ensure that YMCA policies, program expectations, safety procedures, and youth development practices are consistently followed while building positive relationships with children, parents/guardians, school partners, and YMCA team members.

The ideal candidate is dependable, energetic, organized, and comfortable taking the lead while remaining actively engaged with children and staff.

Essential Functions

Site Leadership & Daily Operations

• Provide on-site leadership for the assigned afterschool program and help ensure smooth daily operations.
• Prepare the program space for participant arrival and ensure areas are clean, organized, safe, and ready for activities.
• Coordinate the daily schedule, including arrival, snack, homework/quiet time, enrichment activities, physical activity, and dismissal.
• Run and review participant rosters weekly, identify accounts with outstanding balances or bed debt, and follow established procedures for addressing and communicating account concerns.
• Develop and maintain staff schedules to ensure adequate coverage, appropriate staff-to-child ratios, program needs, and compliance with established payroll and scheduling expectations.
• Pick up and organize required weekly program supplies each Monday before program start to ensure the site is fully prepared for the week.
• Complete and document participant head counts throughout the program time, ensuring accurate counts and compliance with supervision and safety requirements.
• Assign staff responsibilities and provide direction throughout the program day.
• Work alongside program staff and actively participate in supervision and activities.
• Ensure appropriate staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times.
• Assist with participant attendance, sign-in/sign-out procedures, and other required program documentation.
• Communicate staffing, facility, participant, or operational concerns promptly to the appropriate supervisor.
• Assist with opening and closing procedures for the assigned site.

Youth Supervision & Engagement

• Provide active and attentive supervision of children at all times.
• Create an environment where children feel safe, included, supported, and valued.
• Lead and participate in age-appropriate recreational, educational, and enrichment activities.
• Encourage positive behavior, teamwork, respect, responsibility, and healthy social interactions.
• Use positive behavior-management techniques consistent with YMCA expectations.
• Respond appropriately to behavioral concerns and communicate significant issues to parents/guardians and program leadership as appropriate.
• Recognize individual participant needs and help staff provide appropriate support and engagement.

Staff Support & Leadership

• Serve as a positive role model and resource for afterschool staff.
• Help orient and coach staff regarding daily procedures, participant supervision, safety expectations, and program standards.
• Provide timely feedback and guidance to staff when expectations are not being met.
• Encourage teamwork, professionalism, communication, and accountability among site staff.
• Communicate staff performance or conduct concerns to the appropriate supervisor.
• Help create a positive work environment where staff feel supported and understand how their work contributes to the YMCA mission.

Family & Community Relationships

• Welcome parents and guardians and develop positive, professional relationships with program families.
• Provide appropriate updates regarding children's participation and program activities.
• Respond to routine parent/guardian questions and refer significant concerns to program leadership when appropriate.
• Maintain professional relationships with school personnel and other community partners at the assigned location.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service and represent the YMCA positively in all interactions.

Safety & Risk Management

• Maintain a safe environment and immediately address potential hazards or unsafe practices.
• Follow all YMCA child protection, emergency response, incident reporting, and risk-management procedures.
• Ensure participants are released only to authorized individuals in accordance with program procedures.
• Maintain accurate participant counts and know the location of assigned children at all times.
• Respond appropriately to injuries, emergencies, behavioral incidents, and other unexpected situations.
• Complete required incident and accident documentation accurately and promptly.
• Immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, inappropriate conduct, or other child-safety concerns in accordance with YMCA policy and applicable reporting requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding participants, families, employees, and organizational information.

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework in education, child development, recreation, social work, or a related field preferred.
• Previous experience working with school-age children required.
• Previous experience in a lead, supervisory, camp, childcare, education, or youth-development role preferred.
• Must demonstrate maturity, sound judgment, dependability, and the ability to take initiative.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively with children, families, staff, and community partners.
• Ability to lead staff while also working collaboratively as part of the team.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and remain calm and professional in a fast-paced environment.
• Must successfully complete all required background screening and child-safety requirements.
• Must complete YMCA-required trainings within established timeframes.
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certification required within the timeframe established by the YMCA.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to actively participate in indoor and outdoor activities with school-age children.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and move throughout the program area for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry supplies and equipment associated with program operations.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately during emergency situations.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying environmental conditions.

Work Schedule

This is primarily a Monday through Friday afternoon position during the school year, with hours based on the assigned school's dismissal schedule and program needs. Additional hours may be available or required for staff training, school holidays, special events, early-release days, and other program activities.