Teen Tech Center Program Assistant

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles seeks a Program Assistant for youth programs to foster positive relationships among participants, families, and staff. You will support Teen Tech Center activities, help plan projects, and partner with Best Buy to engage mentors and volunteers.

The role emphasizes safety, inclusion, and collaborative learning across sites. You will assist in fundraising, coordinate activities with families, and ensure program records and spaces are well organized.

Qualifications

• Age 21 years or older is required.
• Experience working with school‑age children in group settings.
• Ability to plan, organize and implement age-appropriate activities.
• Completion of First Aid; Adult, Infant and Child CPR certifications prior to start.
• Child abuse prevention training completed before first day.

Responsibilities

• Provide community outreach to involve diverse youth, parents and community leaders.
• Help Teen Tech Center members develop projects; locate mentors and support ongoing work.
• Recruit, train and support volunteer mentors for youth programs.
• Collaborate with Best Buy to recruit Geek Squad Agents and Blue Shirt volunteers.
• Provide basic computer maintenance and technical support to teens and mentors.
• Provide administrative support for Clubhouse program and maintain records.
• Plan and implement classes, culminating in a final showcase.

Skills

Communication skills

Emotional maturity

Relationship building

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

POSITION SUMMARYThis 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 youth participants 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 FUNCTIONSProvide community outreach to involve a diverse group of young people, parents, teachers, and community leaders in the program.Help Teen Tech Center members develop projects (e.g., help them come up with ideas, gather materials, get started, locate mentors to work with them, and support their ongoing work).Recruit, train, and support volunteer mentors, ensuring they work effectively with youth.Work closely with the local Best Buy store to recruit Geek Squad Agents and Blue Shirt volunteers.Support youth in planning for the future, including pursuing academic and job opportunities that leverage their Teen Tech Center skills and experience.Provide basic computer maintenance, including file management, trouble-shooting, and technical support to Teen Tech Center youth and mentors.Provide administrative support for the Clubhouse program, including keeping records of participants and keeping the Tech Center space organized.Assist "parent" organization in fund-raising and publicity for the Best Buy Tech Center, communicating with the Clubhouse learning philosophy, goals, and results to external sources.Participate in The Clubhouse Network, attending Network meetings, sharing ideas and issues, and supporting collaborative projects across sites.Support other programs and activities of the "parent" organization with Teen Tech CenterLeverage Best Buy National Partner relationships to expose members to skill development and media training.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 growthAll other duties as assigned by your supervisorYMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIESThe 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: Provide visionary leadership to the organization and to ensure that all resources are mobilized to adapt to new challenges and needs in the communityCompetencies Include: Change Leadership, Engaging Community, Philanthropy, & VolunteerismBuilding Relationships: Connect people to the Y’s cause by developing inclusive relationships, partnerships and collaborations so that Ys can co-create solutions to pressing social needCompetencies Include: Collaboration, Communication & Influence, & InclusionLeading Operations: ensure relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability of the organization so that we can continue to fulfill our promise to the communityCompetencies Include: Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Fiscal Management, Functional Expertise, Innovation, & Program/Project ManagementDeveloping & Inspiring Others: support the holistic development of self and others so that everyone can embrace the Y’s cause, sustain the Y’s culture, and inspire others to take individual and collective action to further our impactCompetencies Include: Emotional Maturity & Developing Self & OthersActively 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 supervisorYMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIESAdvancing Our Mission & Cause: Provide visionary leadership to the organization and to ensure that all resources are mobilized to adapt to new challenges and needs in the communityCompetencies Include: Change Leadership, Engaging Community, Philanthropy, & VolunteerismBuilding Relationships: Connect people to the Y’s cause by developing inclusive relationships, partnerships and collaborations so that Ys can co-create solutions to pressing social needsCompetencies Include: Collaboration, Communication & Influence, & InclusionLeading Operations: Ensure relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability of the organization so that we can continue to fulfill our promise to the communityCompetencies Include: Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Fiscal Management, Functional Expertise, Innovation, & Program/Project ManagementDeveloping & Inspiring Others: Support the holistic development of self and others so that everyone can embrace the Y’s cause, sustain the Y’s culture, and inspire others to take individual and collective action to further our impactCompetencies Include: Emotional Maturity & Developing Self & OthersWhile all competencies are significant, the following are critical to success in this position:Engaging CommunityInclusionCritical Thinking & Decision MakingEmotional MaturityMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSAGE: 21 years or olderAvailable Monday Through Friday 3pm-8pmEDUCATION: High school diploma or equivalent.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 maturityLICENSES & 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 PHYSICALReq# 4571