Youth Sports Associate - Soccer

Position Summary:
The Youth Sports Associate with a focus on soccer is responsible for supporting the planning, coordination, and implementation of youth soccer programs at the YMCA. This role includes coaching, officiating, and ensuring a safe, fun, and positive experience for all participants. The associate will uphold the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility while fostering a supportive environment for youth development through sports.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Assist with set-up, execution, and clean-up of youth soccer clinics, practices, and games.
• Coach youth soccer teams using age-appropriate instruction and positive reinforcement.
• Officiate games with fairness and integrity, ensuring rules are followed and sportsmanship is upheld.
• Communicate effectively with players, parents, and supervisors regarding schedules, expectations, and behavior.
• Help implement lesson plans and drills developed by the Sports Director or Head Coach.
• Ensure safety standards are followed and equipment is maintained.
• Act as a role model, promoting teamwork, respect, and healthy competition.
• Report any concerns, incidents, or injuries to the Sports Director promptly.
• Attend required staff meetings and trainings.

Qualifications:

• Minimum age: 16–18 (depending on YMCA branch policy)
• Prior experience playing, coaching, or refereeing soccer preferred.
• Ability to lead and engage children in structured activities.
• Able to drive or have reliable transportation to work
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated dependability and ability to work well independently and on a team.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to work in indoor and outdoor environments.
• Physically able to stand for long periods, run short distances, lift equipment (up to 25 lbs), and actively participate in soccer drills.
• Noise levels can be high, especially during game times.

CORE COMPETENCIES (LEADER)

• Mission and Community Oriented: Accepts and demonstrates YMCA values. Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions and perceptions. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits other volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them.
• People Oriented: Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view and remains calm in challenging situations. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
• Results Oriented: Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participate in meetings. Supports fundraising. Follows budgeting policies and procedures and reports all financial irregularities immediately.
• Personal Development Oriented: Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change and seeks opportunities in the change process.

DISCLAIMERS

• Must complete successful criminal background check and drug screen
• All the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. The YMCA promotes an equal employment opportunity workplace which includes reasonable accommodation of otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees.  Please see your manager should you have any questions about this policy or these job duties.
• This job description may not be all-inclusive, and employees are expected to perform all other duties as assigned and directed by management.  Job descriptions and duties may be modified when deemed appropriate by management.