Kids Club Director (57042) at YSS in Ames, IA

YSS is looking for a Kids Club Director who’s ready to make a difference in the lives of kids and lead programs where they can learn, grow, and thrive!

In this leadership role, you’ll oversee the planning, staffing, scheduling, and delivery of before- and after-school programs for kindergarten through sixth-grade students at assigned schools. You’ll also lead summer programming and activities on teacher in-service days, creating engaging experiences that keep kids learning, connecting, and having fun.

Working alongside Community Youth and Family Development (CYFD) staff, mentors, and volunteers, you’ll coordinate prevention-focused programs and ensure children have the positive adult support they need to succeed. You’ll also recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate staff and volunteers, building a strong team committed to providing safe, enriching, and meaningful experiences for every child.

What You'll Do...

• Supervises the planning and organization of Before/After school, summer, and full-day programs.
• Incorporates best practices materials and maintains program quality standards.
• Ensures current DHS licensing is maintained at all sites.
• Oversees participant recruitment and registration
• Develops, implements and monitors program budgets and fees scales.
• Handles fee collection, deposits, and record keeping.
• Provides comprehensive hiring, scheduling, training, supervision for all staff and volunteers. Training topics include:
  • child development,
  • guidance and discipline,
  • developmentally appropriate practices,
  • nutrition,
  • health and safety,
  • communication skills,
  • professionalism, and
  • cross-cultural competence.
• Meets regularly with colleagues, staff, and supervisors and attends agency and external meetings as assigned.
• Provides multiple reports on a quarterly/annual basis, reporting to funders, advisory boards and committees as assigned.
• Completes paperwork in a timely and qualitative manner.

Please know this is not a complete list of the position’s responsibilities. Duties can change.

Who You Are...

You’re an organized, energetic leader who loves building strong teams, creating engaging programs, and making sure every child has a safe, fun place to learn, connect, and thrive.

What We Provide...

We invest in people—because when you thrive, so do the communities we serve. At YSS, you’ll find meaningful work, strong support, and benefits designed for real life.

Supportive Culture & Work Environment

• Supportive leadership team and mission-driven culture
• Flexibility and autonomy in a collaborative environment
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance
• Voluntary dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Supplemental accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) / Health Savings Account (HSA) options
• Flu shots and mental health support resources
• Paid membership to the Athletic Club of Ames

Time Off & Work-Life Balance

• Generous paid time off (4 weeks PTO)
• Paid holidays, including a birthday holiday
• Volunteer time off

Financial & Retirement Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Supplemental compensation award
• 403(b) retirement savings plan

Professional & Career Support

• Professional liability insurance coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualified employer

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. Additionally, we ask for the following:

MUST HAVES - Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in child development, elementary education, or related field
• A minimum 4 years’ relevant experience to include at least 2 years’ experience supervising staff.
• CPR/First Aid certification

SHOULD HAVES - Preferred Qualifications

• Understands the needs of young people experiencing housing instability or crisis.
• Ability to communicate, with excellent observational, listening, speaking, and writing skills.
• Ability to collaborate and able to work effectively with others regardless of backgrounds, identities, and status.
• Ability to use critical thinking skills to problems solve.
• Ability to manage resources effectively.
• Ability to manage one’s own time and the time of others.

The IDEAL Candidate:

• Is rooted in purpose and driven by equity, inclusion, and positive social impact.
• Brings humility, respect, and cultural awareness to every interaction.
• Speaks a second language (especially one spoken in our communities).

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.

Stay Connected...

We communicate with applicants via email - straight from our Paycom system. Please check your inbox regularly (and your spam/junk folder just in case). If the message does end up in spam/junk, make sure to add systemmessage@paycomonline.com to your list of safe senders. We may also send you texts if you give us that permission when you apply. Questions? Reach us anytime at http://yss@yss.org.

Learn more about YSS and our hiring process at https://yss.org/ysscareers/the-hiring-process/.