Teen Program Staff (Part Time)

SUMMIT AREA YMCA; Berkeley Heights (NJ); On-site; USD 23,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free YMCA individual membership

Discounted YMCA family membership

12% YMCA retirement contribution

Job summary

The Summit Area YMCA is seeking energetic Teen Program Staff to support programs for middle school youth. You will help create a safe, welcoming environment, engage participants, and assist with recreational, enrichment, social, and leadership activities.

Part-time position with up to 10 hours per week; typical shifts are Monday and Wednesday 2:30pm–7:00pm. Pay ranges from $17.00 to $20.00 per hour, based on experience, with opportunities to make a meaningful community impact.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 16 years old and a high school senior, or age 18 or older.
• Experience working with middle school-aged youth through employment, volunteering, camp, coaching, mentoring, childcare, or similar activities preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to engage and build positive relationships with middle school-aged youth.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and follow supervision and safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Create a safe, welcoming, and fun environment for middle school-aged youth.
• Actively engage with participants and build positive, supportive relationships.
• Help lead recreational, enrichment, social, leadership, and other age-appropriate activities.
• Encourage participation, positive behavior, teamwork, and healthy decision-making.
• Provide appropriate supervision and help maintain a well-managed program environment.
• Serve as a positive role model for participants.
• Assist with participant check-in/out and maintain accurate attendance.
• Help with program setup, cleanup, equipment, and supplies.
• Support special events, workshops, trips, and other Teen Department activities as assigned.

Skills

Youth engagement

Teamwork

Communication

Dependability

Positive role model

Tools

First aid basics

Job description

Description

Make a difference for middle school youth! The Summit Area YMCA is looking for energetic, dependable Teen Program Staff to support programs and activities specifically designed for middle school-aged youth.

In this role, you'll help create a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment where participants can connect with peers, build confidence, develop new skills, and have fun. Teen Program Staff actively engage with participants and help facilitate recreational, enrichment, social, and leadership activities while serving as positive role models.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with youth and wants to gain experience in youth development and programming. High school seniors who meet the position requirements are encouraged to apply.

You May Be the Right Fit If You:

• Are at least 16 years old and a high school senior
• Enjoy working with middle school-aged youth and can relate to them in a positive and appropriate way
• Are energetic, dependable, responsible, and ready to be actively involved in programs
• Can serve as a positive role model while maintaining appropriate boundaries
• Are comfortable helping lead activities and keeping participants engaged
• Communicate well with youth, coworkers, and families
• Can work effectively as part of a team and follow established supervision and safety procedures
• Have previous experience working with youth through a job, camp, coaching, volunteering, mentoring, childcare, or similar setting; experience is preferred but not required

What You'll Do

• Create a safe, welcoming, and fun environment for middle school-aged youth
• Actively engage with participants and build positive, supportive relationships
• Help lead recreational, enrichment, social, leadership, and other age-appropriate activities
• Encourage participation, positive behavior, teamwork, and healthy decision‑making
• Provide appropriate supervision and help maintain a well‑managed program environment
• Serve as a positive role model for participants
• Assist with participant check‑in/out and maintain accurate attendance
• Help with program setup, cleanup, equipment, and supplies
• Support special events, workshops, trips, and other Teen Department activities as assigned
• Follow all YMCA safety, supervision, and youth protection policies

Part‑Time Benefits

• Free YMCA individual membership
• Discounted YMCA family membership
• 12% YMCA retirement contribution upon eligibility
• A fun, supportive work environment where you can make a meaningful impact in your community

Salary & Schedule:

This position is part time with an opportunity to work up to 10 hours each week. Regular shifts are Monday and Wednesday 2:30pm - 7:00pm. The pay range for this position is $17.00 - $20.00/hour, but is based on experience.

At the Summit Area YMCA, we are committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. Our main purpose is to strengthen community. Every day, we work side‑by‑side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone can reach their full potential and we strive to live our cause with purpose every day. No matter who you are or where you’re from, we believe that we’re stronger when we come together.

Requirements

• Must be at least 16 years old and a high school senior, or age 18 or older
• Experience working with middle school‑aged youth through employment, volunteering, camp, coaching, mentoring, childcare, or similar activities preferred
• Ability to engage and build positive relationships with middle school‑aged youth
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Dependable, responsible, and able to serve as a positive role model
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and follow YMCA supervision, safety, and youth protection requirements

About the Summit Area YMCA:

We were founded as the Young Men's Christian Association in 1886, but today, we are The Y. Part of a world‑class organization, we are one of the area's leading nonprofits, that values, and is made stronger by, its diverse people. The Summit Area YMCA is committed to strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose, and each other. Working locally, we focus on empowering young people, improving health and well‑being, and inspiring action in and across communities. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, we ensure that we all have access to the opportunities, relationships, and resources necessary to learn, grow and thrive.