Program Assistant at YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles in Torrance, CA

POSITION SUMMARY

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Program Assistant (youth programs) creates positive, nurturing relationships with children while building cooperative relationships with parents/caregivers, staff, and partners. Promotes and supports the potential of all youth in programs/classes and facilitates peer-to-peer connections as part of the overall program experience. Provides a quality experience to children that focuses on building achievement and belonging in youth and relationships among youth and within families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Nurtures children 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, following ratios based on specific program/class.
• No child is left unsupervised or staff alone with a child at any time while attending program/class.
• 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.
• 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 meetings and trainings, as needed.
• Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk management.
• Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Respect,
• Responsibility, Caring, 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
• Inclusion
• Functional Expertise
• Emotional Maturity

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• AGE: 16 years or older
• EDUCATION: High school diploma or equivalent. School-issued work permit required for employees under the age of 18.
• RELATED EXPERIENCE: Previous experience working with school-age children in a group setting (preferred). Ability to assist in planning, organization and implementation of age appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities around a specific area of focus (arts & humanities, sports skills, etc.). Previous experience with diverse populations preferred. Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds. Completed semester units in CD, human services, or related fields, preferred
• SPECIALIZED SKILLS: Strong character values (respect, responsibility, honesty, caring); strong communication skills; emotional maturity
• LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS: Current approved First Aid; Adult, Infant and Child CPR Certifications. Completion of child abuse prevention training prior to first day in program.

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

Req# 5219