Program Director - Adventure Guides & Summer Camp

YMCA of the USA; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh is seeking a mission-driven Program Director to lead the Adventure Guides program and oversee a Summer Day Camp. You will coordinate activities, support volunteers, and maintain strong communication with participating families to deliver a safe, engaging year-round experience.

The role involves planning weekend family campouts, supervising staff, and managing budgets. A Bachelor’s degree and strong leadership, organizational, and budgeting skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 21 years of age.
• Minimum 2 years of experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in human services, elementary education, early childhood or child development, or equivalent licensing requirements.
• First Aid and CPR training required; AED training where applicable.
• Strong skills in programming for children, group work, staff supervision, budgeting, and working with lay committees.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational and project management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Promote, operate and administer child care programs according to DHS regulations and YMCA standards.
• Recruit, screen, hire, train, supervise and evaluate center staff; ensure paperwork is complete.
• Maintain regulatory compliance, staff-to-child ratios, and current staff certifications.
• Provide developmentally appropriate curriculum and lesson plans; ensure plans are posted.
• Ensure timely completion of incident, accident, CACFP, DHS reports and related paperwork.
• Ensure child safety and lead regular staff meetings; manage operational budget and invoices.
• Maintain communication with parents and volunteers; secure program funding through grants.

Skills

First Aid/CPR

AED Training

Communication

Organizational Skills

Project Management

Staff Supervision

Budgeting

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services/education/child development

Job description

Come join the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh!

Job Description

Do you love creating unforgettable experiences that bring families together? Are you energized by planning engaging events, building community, and leading programs that create lifelong memories? The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh is looking for a dynamic, mission-driven Program Director to lead our Adventure Guides program and oversee one Summer Day Camp.

Adventure Guides is one of the YMCA's signature family programs, designed to strengthen the bond between parents and children through shared experiences, outdoor adventures, and meaningful traditions. In this role, you\'ll bring the program to life by coordinating engaging activities, supporting volunteer leaders, communicating with participating families, and creating fun, welcoming experiences throughout the year.

A highlight of the Adventure Guides program is our family campouts. The Program Director will lead the planning and operation of approximately 6–9 weekend campouts each year and is expected to attend these events on Friday and Saturday evenings to ensure families have a safe, organized, and memorable experience.

The Program Director will also work closely with Adventure Guides volunteer leaders who play an important role in the success of the program. This includes managing, organizing, collaborating, and coordinating with volunteer leaders; attending monthly volunteer meetings; and maintaining regular communication through email, phone calls, and other appropriate channels. The successful candidate will be responsive and accessible to program participants and volunteers, providing timely support, guidance, and clear communication.

During the summer, you\'ll also serve as the Director of one Summer Day Camp, leading a team dedicated to providing an exciting, safe, and enriching camp experience where children build friendships, confidence, and lifelong memories.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 21 years of age.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience.
• Possess a Bachelor’s degree in a human service field, elementary education, early childhood or child development, or otherwise meet the standard educational requirements as needed for licensing, as well as requirements for accreditation.
• First Aid and CPR (infant, child, adult) training are required. AED Training is required where applicable.
• Skills in the area of programming for children, group work and staff supervision, budget control and working with lay committees are required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Ability to motivate and relate well with people of all ages and must be able to delegate appropriate responsibilities to staff subordinates.
• Possess sensitivity, flexibility, strong character, good judgment, and a positive attitude toward job and colleagues.
  
  

Essential Functions

• Promote and market, operate and administer Child care program(s) consistently according to DHS Regulations and YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh Program Standards.
• Recruit, screen, hire, train, supervise and evaluate of all center employees in accordance with policies and procedures of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, ensuring that all necessary employment paperwork is complete, filed and submitted in a timely manner.
• Maintain state and county regulatory compliance, including staff to child ratios; staff training certifications are current; child and staff files are current and complete and kept confidential.
• Ensure that developmentally appropriate curriculum and programming is provided for the children; including the incorporation of the core curriculum components into daily/weekly lesson plans. Lesson plans are posted.
• Ensure that all incident reports, accident reports, CACFP reports, DHS reports and other pertinent paper work in completed and submitted in a timely manner.
• Ensure the safety of the children in the program.
• Hold regularly scheduled meetings with program staff.
• Responsible and accountable for operational budget including the processing of invoices in a timely manner.
• Maintain constant communication with parents, conferring with them regarding behavior, health and development of the children.
• Maintain an ongoing safe, clean facility; including setup, cleanup and program equipment.
• Attend and participate in Youth Development Cabinet and other YMCA committees, as appropriate.
• Assist with and contribute to Annual Campaigns.
• To be responsible for writing proposals and obtaining grants from foundations/agencies, organizations to assist with program funding.
• Develop and maintain contact with community agencies and organizations.
• Purchase program supplies and materials as necessary and process receipts related to the center following established YMCA procedures.
• Ensure goal sheets, observations and developmental forms are completed in a timely manner for each child.
• Be aware of holidays, snow days, in service days, and days at the YMCA and ensure necessary staffing and activities for children.
• Update and maintain Parent Handbooks as needed.
• Provide direct care as needed.
• Be knowledgeable of YMCA policy and procedures.
• Perform all other duties as assigned
  
  

Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

• Developing Others
• Quality Results
• Decision Making
• Values
• Functional Expertise