What are the responsibilities and job description for the Kids Club Lead Program Assistant - PT (54903) position at YSS?
Make a difference every day in the lives of children!
Are you passionate about creating fun, safe, and meaningful experiences for kids? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where every day brings new opportunities to teach, inspire, and connect? If so, we want YOU to join our team as a Kids Club Lead Program Assistant!
As a Lead Program Assistant, you’ll help run our before and after school program serving K–6 and middle school students. You’ll be part educator, part mentor, and part organizer—bringing energy and structure to Kids Club year-round, including school breaks, summer programs, and no-school days.
Your leadership will help ensure kids are safe, engaged, and having fun while learning important life skills. You’ll work closely with the Site Supervisor, staff, and volunteers to create programs that kids (and parents!) look forward to.
What You'll Do...
- Lead and implement day-to-day program operations.
- Supervise and schedule staff, and help find subs when needed.
- Plan creative activities, field trips, and summer programming.
- Directly supervise children and foster a safe, supportive environment.
- Partner with parents, school staff, and community resources.
- Administer child assessments and keep accurate records.
- Prepare and serve nutritious meals and snacks.
- Handle administrative tasks, tuition collection, and paperwork.
- Attend staff meetings, trainings, and work 5 additional hours weekly for planning.
This is not a complete list of the responsibilities of this position. Duties may change at any time.
What We Provide...
We believe in your potential, we meet you where you are, and we invest in your future. Beyond the meaningful work, YSS provides the following benefits:
- Supportive leadership team and mission-driven culture.
- Flexibility and autonomy in a collaborative environment.
- Wellness Program Opportunities
- Paid membership to the Athletic Club of Ames
- Employee Assistance Program for all employees
- Flu shots
- Mental health support
- YSS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer.
- 403(b) retirement offerings
If this sounds like work you’d be proud to do—and a team you’d want to grow with—we’d love to hear from you. Let’s do meaningful work, together.
Qualifications:
We want to create a world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong. To do this, we ask our staff to embrace YSS core values - Commitment, Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, and a “Can Do” Spirit.
What you GOTTA HAVE:
- You meet the requirements to be certified in childcare—ready to bring both care and credibility.
- You have a background in child development or child and family services, giving you solid insight into what kids need to thrive.
- You understand how to support both individual and group behavior, and you know how to plan engaging, age-appropriate activities that blend fun and learning.
What's Nice to Have:
- You’ve got an Associate’s degree (or even better, a Bachelor's) in child development, education, or a related field—your foundation for helping kids grow and thrive.
- You bring real-world experience as both a teacher and a supervisor—you’ve led lessons, guided teams, and handled the day-to-day with confidence.
- You’re in it for the long haul—ready to commit to a full year of meaningful, kid-powered work
Members of our Dream Team will:
- Show up excited, ready to make a difference (and maybe some glittery crafts).
- Be cool with helping kids tackle their homework—even algebra.
- Have a reliable way to get to work (whether it’s a car, bike, bus, or a friend with great timing).
- Be on time, every time—because time is money, and also snack time waits for no one.
- Speak another language? Awesome! Multilingual = mega bonus points.
Who You Are...
You’re a positive role model who connects easily with children, families, and teammates. You lead with patience, creativity, and consistency—making every child feel included, supported, and excited to be there.
We Celebrate Your Story...
Have you navigated recovery from addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, or housing instability? Your lived experience offers a unique, compassionate perspective that can inspire real change. By sharing your story and serving as a role model or mentor, you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth and families. Your journey matters. If you’re ready to use it to uplift and empower others, we warmly encourage you to apply.
Who We Are...
We’re YSS - one of Iowa’s oldest & largest nonprofits dedicated to putting kids first. Our mission? To spark hope, create opportunities, and help young people thrive. With life-changing programs, an enthusiastic leadership team, and our brand-new 50-acre recovery campus, we’re growing fast and thinking big. Check us out at yss.org!
At YSS, we celebrate the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences that each team member brings. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we’re dedicated to creating a respectful, inclusive, and empowering environment where everyone can grow and succeed. And we’re always working to do better together.
YSS is a nicotine-free workplace.
Heads Up! Don’t Miss Our Messages! - We communicate with applicants via email - straight from our Paycom system. So be sure to keep an eye on your inbox (and your spam/junk folder too). Got questions? Email yss@yss.org - we’re happy to help!
The YSS Hiring Process
- Apply - Fill out the online app at yss.org/ysscareers.
- Assessment - We’ll check out your skills and experience.
- Interview - Phone, video, or in-person - we’ll chat and get to know you.
- References - Send us three people who can sing your praises.
- Screening - Background and driving checks (plus license verification if needed).
- Offer - If it’s a match, you’ll get a formal offer through Paycom.
Salary : $14 - $22