YReads! Lead Assistant - Pizzo K-8 School

Under the direction of the Program Director of Literacy, the Lead Program Assistant will serve as the on-site leader responsible for ensuring the highest level of literacy instruction, program quality, and stakeholder engagement at the Pizzo K-8 location. This role includes creating and refining literacy curriculum, supporting assistant staff on implementation, facilitating student instruction, and directly collaborating with parents, school administration, and BASE staff to support student achievement.

The Lead Program Assistant is expected to model best practices in teaching, behavior management, relationship building, and program administration. This role also includes ensuring fidelity to the curriculum and maintaining compliance with YMCA and grant standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Quality and Growth

• Responsible for scheduling and implementing SIPPS lessons and weekly enrichment activities to promote individual child development.
  • Assess the needs and interests of individuals and groups and prepare instructional program activities accordingly, given the available materials, equipment or center.
  • In collaboration with the Program Director, Literacy, develop curricula and plan course content and methods of instruction; evaluate and revise curricula as needed.
• Forms relationships with school and BASE staff at program school sites to promote a team approach to youth mentoring.
• Inputs mentor and student attendance and behavior into online database weekly.
• Responsible for leading small groups of children and monitoring children during YMCA Reads! activities.
• Teaches reading lessons utilizing varied delivery methods.
• Accurately tracks and monitors student progress.

Team Leadership

•          Partners, as needed, with key program leaders to remain committed to the YMCA's mission, safety and service to members, and the Tampa Y promise.

•          Completes all job related and other training as required.

•          Provides a day-to-day overview of clear expectations, quality instruction, and consistent adherence to program standards for program staff and mentors.

Grant Administration

•  Ensures delivery of curriculum and all grant related metrics.
• Works with grant team to submit all required grant data in a timely manner.

Safety and Risk Management

• Adhere to all Federal, State, and local safety regulations, as well as all YMCA policies and procedures related to the safety, health, and welfare of members, participants, guests, and staff.
• Ensure that all Tampa YMCA standards, leading practices, and policies are implemented and consistently followed, including those related to emergency procedures, child abuse prevention, and appropriate supervision.
• Maintain a safe and healthy environment at all times, including performing daily safety checks of program areas, equipment, and supplies.
• Supervises meals, snacks, restroom, and transition periods to promote a safe, orderly environment and encourage healthy habits.
• Conduct health checks on children for potential health concerns such as head lice, ringworm, or other communicable conditions, and reports immediately to the Program Director.
• Adhere to policies and procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising participants and boundaries with participants and their families.
• Ensure high-risk areas (e.g., restrooms, locker rooms, closets) are monitored and secured when not in use.
• Maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios and provides active, engaged supervision at all times.
• Follow established sign-in/sign-out procedures to ensure children are released only to authorized adults.
• Responds appropriately to behavioral and medical incidents, documenting and reporting as required.
• Adhere to risk management training requirements including child abuse prevention
• Support a safe, positive, and inclusive environment where children feel secure and respected
• Promptly report any suspicious or inappropriate behavior, as well as policy violations, following established association procedures.