After School Program Leader, Grant

POSITION SUMMARY

As the center for community well-being, the Y envisions that every person in Los Angeles has a positive YMCA experience that will change their lives and our community for the better. Through its three areas of impact—youth development, healthy living, and social impact—the YMCA partners with schools across the greater Los Angeles area to deliver high-quality, grant-funded before and after school programs that support the whole child. The Program Leader, Grant, plays a vital role in this mission by creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for TK–6th grade students through academic and homework support, active play, enrichment clubs and positive youth development practices. Program Leaders build meaningful relationships with students, families, and school staff while leading hands-on activities that foster growth, belonging, and achievement. This is a seasonal, grant-funded position, that is school year based and that includes paid training and professional development. Additional opportunities for hours may be available during school breaks, such as summer day camp.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Nurtures children and youth through purposeful programming dedicated to building achievement and belonging in youth and relationships among youth and within families.
• Maintains close visual supervision of a group of assigned children and youth, following ratios based on specific program:
  • 1 staff to 10 children (grades ETK, TK, and K)
  • 1 staff to 20 children (1st grade and up).
• No child is left unsupervised or staff alone with a child at any time.
• Help children manage behavior using a positive approach, including proactive strategies, redirection and using constructive discipline with natural and logical consequences.
• Actively supports the YMCA is committed to inclusion and compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) where appropriate.
• Planning and implementing classes based on a specific topic and skill mastery, culminating in an exposition/showcase at the end of the session.
• Adheres to program standards including safety and cleanliness standards, maintains site and equipment, and maintains required program records in accordance YMCA expectations.
• Makes ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of each child. Communicates with supervisor regarding child’s development.
• Cultivates positive relationships and maintains effective communication with parents. Engages parents as volunteers and connects them to the YMCA.
• Attends and participates in family events, program activities, staff meetings and trainings.
• 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.
• Understands and complies with current federal, state, local regulations, and YMCA policies and procedures at all times.
• Maintains positive relationship with parents, other YMCA team members and community partners. Models relationship-building skills (including Listen First) in all interactions.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required.
• Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk management.
• Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Respect, Responsibility, Caring, and Fairness) as well as the YMCA Core Values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility in all dealings with members, guests, volunteers and fellow staff.
• Demonstrate competencies in and willingness to develop in the Cause Driven Leadership areas of mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness and personal growth.
• All other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

The Y’s Leadership Competency Model is comprised of 14 Leadership Competencies (leadership knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for success in the Y), organized by the four disciplines of Cause-Driven Leadership:

• Advancing Our Mission & Cause: Provide visionary leadership to the organization and to ensure that all resources are mobilized to adapt to new challenges and needs in the community
  • Competencies Include: Change Leadership, Engaging Community, Philanthropy, & Volunteerism
• Building Relationships: Connect people to the Y’s cause by developing inclusive relationships, partnerships and collaborations so that Ys can co-create solutions to pressing social needs
  • Competencies Include: Collaboration, Communication & Influence, & Inclusion
• Leading Operations: ensure relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability of the organization so that we can continue to fulfill our promise to the community
  • Competencies Include: Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Fiscal Management, Functional Expertise, Innovation, & Program/Project Management
• Developing & Inspiring Others: support the holistic development of self and others so that everyone can embrace the Y’s cause, sustain the Y’s culture, and inspire others to take individual and collective action to further our impact
  • Competencies Include: Emotional Maturity & Developing Self & Others

While all competencies are significant, the following are critical to success in this position:

• Engaging Community
• Communication & Influence
• Functional Expertise
• Developing Self & Others

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• AGE: Eighteen years or older; Twenty-one years or older for high school programs.
• EDUCATION: High School Diploma or equivalent preferred
• RELATED EXPERIENCE: Experience working with school-age children and leading skill based classes. Experience developing after school experienced focus around academics, recreation and enrichment.
• SPECIALIZED SKILLS: Strong character values, communication skills, emotional maturity
• CERTIFICATIONS: Current First Aid, Adult, Infant and Child CPR Certifications (or completed within 60 days of hire).
• IMMUNIZATIONS: TB Test clearance (prior to first day working on a school campus).

WORK ENVIRONMENT/MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• You must have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Ability to plan, lead, and participate in activities.
• Job is performed in indoor as well as outdoor environments throughout the year.
• Job does include water-related activities.
• Ability to lift 30-35lbs

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