Program Assistant (5024)

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles; Gardena (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is seeking a Part Time Program Assistant for youth programs at Gardena, CA 90248. This role focuses on building relationships with children, promoting achievement and belonging, and collaborating with families and staff.

Responsibilities include supervising groups, guiding behavior with positive discipline, and delivering topic-based classes. The role emphasizes inclusion, safety, and adherence to YMCA policies and ADA guidelines.

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.
• SPECIALIZED SKILLS: Strong character values; strong communication skills; emotional maturity.
• LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS: First Aid; CPR (Adult, Infant, Child) certifications; child abuse prevention training completed before first day.

Responsibilities

• Nurtures children through purposeful programming focused on achievement and belonging.
• Maintains close visual supervision of a group of children according to ratios.
• Help children manage behavior with positive approaches and constructive discipline.
• Promotes inclusion and complies with ADA where appropriate.
• Plans and implements classes with topics and skill mastery, ending with an exposition/showcase.
• Ensures safety, cleanliness, and maintains program records per YMCA expectations.
• Engages parents as volunteers and connects them to the YMCA.
• Attends family events, program activities, staff meetings and trainings.
• Upholds YMCA safety, supervision and risk management policies.
• Demonstrates YMCA Core Values in all interactions.

Skills

Character values

Communication skills

Emotional maturity

Education

High school diploma or equivalent; work permit for under 18

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Gardena Carson Family YMCA - Gardena, CA 90248, Position Type: Part Time (up to 29 hours), Salary Range: $18.47 - $18.47 Hourly, Travel Percentage: Negligible, Job Shift: Any, Job Category: Sports - Youth Development

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

• Change Leadership
• Engaging Community
• Philanthropy
• Volunteerism

Building Relationships

• Collaboration
• Communication & Influence
• Inclusion

Leading Operations

• Critical Thinking & Decision Making
• Fiscal Management
• Functional Expertise
• Innovation
• Program/Project Management

Developing & Inspiring Others

• Emotional Maturity & Developing Self & Others

Key Competencies

• 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# 5024