Family Services Counselor - Aventura

Under the direction of the Site Director, the Counselor is responsible for the overall day-to-day group programming, behavior management, direct supervision, and safety of a group of up to 25 participants / children.  This includes planning and implementing activities in accordance with both age and developmentally appropriate practices as outlined by licensing agencies, the State of Florida and the YMCA of South Florida guidelines.

Essential Functions / Job Duties: 

• Provides safety and supervision to children and ensures that activities are planned and followed in accordance with YMCA of South Florida guidelines.
• Maintains coordination with facility personnel for safety and benefit of participants in the program. Ensure that safety rules and practices are followed as they relate to children and staff.
• Ensure that the proper staff-to-child ratio is always maintained and report discrepancies to the Site Supervisor as needed.
• Document all necessary administrative forms as directed by Site Supervisor/or Program Director. Conduct and maintain daily attendance rosters.
• Conduct and maintain any necessary measurable tools to track children’s progress.
• Distribute nutritious lunches and snacks on a daily basis using universal health/sanitation practices.
• Follow all YMCA HEPA standards.
• Document behavioral issues and/or incidents daily, as needed.
• Conduct a health check of each child daily noting fever, bumps, bruises, burns, or other questionable signs of abuse and document the incident with the Site Supervisor.
• Maintain high level of professionalism with parents, facility personnel, staff, and clients at all times. Communicate with parents and guardians regularly.
• Uphold all YMCA policies and Risk Management / Safety procedures which require reporting all incident and accidents to Site Director immediately.
• Knows and follow proper emergency procedures appropriate to the facility and in conformity with procedures adopted by the YMCA of South Florida and emergency service authorities to ensure the safety of children.
• Preserve the quality of supplies and materials. Report to Site Supervisor when supplies are needed.
• Provide regular inspection of areas used by the program to ensure both cleanliness and safety.
• Check bathrooms for supplies and basic cleanliness before allowing participants to enter.
• Attending all staff meetings and training opportunities as required.
• Additional job duties as assigned

  Position Profile:

• Outgoing personality enjoys speaking to people.
• Innate desire to provide excellent customer service.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities / Position Requirements:

• A high school diploma, GED or High School completion in process (Report Card, School Letter, Etc.).
• One to two (1-2) years’ experience of working with school-aged children preferred.
• Ability to relate to children.
• Counselors assigned to M-DCPS sites must be at least 18 years old, at the time of hire.
• Counselors assigned to Community-based sites must be at least 17 years old (with 1 High School Reference), at the time of hire. (Not M-DCPS sites)
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing.
• Florida Certified Teachers in this capacity may use an active Florida Teaching Certificate in lieu of the education requirement.
• Must complete YMCA NEO, safety, and risk management training.
• Must attend all regularly scheduled staff meetings and training.
• Must have demonstrated competency in the planning and implementation of recreational and educational activities.
• Must be able to implement curriculums and provide instruction to participants at a basic level.

Certifications and Licenses:

• First Aid and CPR certification within 30 days of hire.
• Must complete 1st course within 90 days and remainder of the 45-hour childcare courses within the first year of employment.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

• Being in good physical health with full range of body motion, including manual and finger dexterity and eye/hand coordination. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Occasionally requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours.
• May be required to lift up to 50 pounds with or without assistance.
• Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 20% walking, and 70% standing.
• Intermittent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting, and supporting participants.
• Incumbent will be exposed to virus, disease and infection from program participants.
• Incumbent ma will be required to work at multiple locations throughout summer camp.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to submit to and satisfactorily clear a thorough Level II fingerprint background screening.

As a Drug-Free Employer, all new hires must successfully complete a drug test. Please note Medical Marijuana cards are not accepted and do not exempt you from successfully passing your drug test.

The YMCA of South Florida is committed to the policy of Equal Opportunity prohibiting discrimination in the workplace because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, political affiliation, age or disability.

In accordance with House Bill 531 (2025) the Department of Children and Families require employers to make the “Care Provider Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness” website link: https://info.flclearinghouse.com available to all potential candidates receiving a background check via the Clearinghouse.