Before and After School Academy Counselor

YMCA of NorthWest North Carolina; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of NorthWest North Carolina is seeking an Academy Counselor for the Before and After School program in Winston-Salem. The role involves direct supervision, guiding children, and upholding curriculum standards within a multi-entity youth development portfolio.

You will collaborate with site personnel and families, maintain records, and participate in safety and health procedures while supporting a positive learning environment during before and after school sessions.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to interact effectively with diverse groups.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Lead children in daily before and after school activities and deliver established curriculum materials.
• Participate in aquatics activities with supervision responsibilities.
• Build professional relationships with school personnel, staff, and parents and participate in bi-monthly Parent Advisory Committee meetings.
• Maintain accurate daily site records (attendance, logs, reports).
• Coordinate site setups, keep supplies organized, and adhere to safety procedures.
• Attend scheduled staff meetings and participate in ongoing training.

Skills

Communication skills

Independent/work ethic

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Description

Job Summary:

The Before and After School Academy Counselor provides direct supervision, interactive guidance, and character development leadership to children within a multi-entity parent company's youth development portfolio. Operating under minimal supervision, this role builds collaborative relationships with site personnel and families while ensuring strict adherence to curriculum standards, child safety guidelines, and operational procedures.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead children in daily before and after school activities, deliver established curriculum materials, and participate directly in aquatics activities, including swimming and pool deck supervision.
• Build authentic, professional relationships with school personnel, staff, and parents, providing exceptional customer service and actively participating in bi-monthly Parent Advisory Committee meetings.
• Maintain accurate daily site records, including attendance sheets, food service logs, emergency forms, monthly statistical updates, and mandatory incident, discipline, or accident reports.
• Coordinate site setups to keep supplies organized, report damaged equipment, adhere strictly to health and wellness (HEPA) standards, and maintain immediate readiness to execute emergency and safety procedures.
• Attend all scheduled staff meetings, complete mandatory team assignments, and participate in continuous training to align site delivery with parent company policies and community guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to interact effectively with diverse groups, paired with the ability to employ proactive team management and conflict resolution techniques.
• Proven ability to take initiative, work independently with minimal supervision, organize daily site logistics, and maintain flexibility to handle changing schedules and out-of-school care days.

Education & Experience:

• Education: High school education or equivalent combination of education and experience; must obtain all required online training, new hire onboarding, and health/safety certifications within 30 days of employment.
• Experience: Up to one month of related experience or training in youth development, student care, or recreational group environments preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand or sit while maintaining constant alertness for several hours at a time during the program block.
• Regularly required to walk, stand, bend, lean, kneel, and sit on the floor for extended periods to engage dynamically with children and supervise activities.
• Must be able to regularly lift, move, and carry youth program supplies, activity gear, and food service boxes weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Possess the necessary visual and auditory acuity to monitor active youth environments, maintain constant environmental awareness, and respond swiftly to critical or emergency situations.
• Onsite school or branch setting with exposure to active recreational spaces and occasional outdoor activities; requires regular schedule availability Monday through Friday (typically covering split shifts such as 7:00am–9:00am or 2:00pm–6:00pm) as well as full-day coverage during out-of-school service days.

Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting

At our Association, safeguarding children is everyone's responsibility, regardless of role or position. All employees are strictly required to maintain awareness of our abuse prevention and reporting policies. You must take immediate, appropriate action in accordance with our protocols and legal mandates if any standard of safety is compromised or if abuse is suspected.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment-related decisions are based on job-related qualifications, merit, business needs, and other lawful criteria.

Mission: “Helping all people reach their God-given potential in spirit, mind, and body.”