YD Miami - Counselor

YMCA of South Florida; Miami, Northern (FL, KY); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The YMCA of South Florida is seeking a Counselor to manage day-to-day group programming for up to 25 children, ensuring safety and developmentally appropriate activities in line with grant and licensing requirements.

Responsibilities include supervising staff-to-child ratios, tracking attendance, documenting progress, and coordinating with facility personnel. The role requires strong communication with parents and adherence to YMCA policies and safety procedures.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Experience working with school-aged children is preferred.
• Ability to relate to children and communicate clearly in writing and verbally.
• Must complete YMCA safety and risk management trainings.

Responsibilities

• Provide safety and supervision for children and plan activities.
• Maintain proper staff-to-child ratio and report any discrepancies.
• Document attendance, progress and incidents, and communicate with parents.
• Ensure health checks, hygiene, and adherence to YMCA guidelines.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings and perform additional duties.

Job description

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Site Director, the Counselor is responsible for the overall day-to-day group programming, behavior management, direct supervision, and safety of a group of up to 25 participants / children. This includes planning and implementing activities in accordance with both age and developmentally appropriate practices as outlined by grant mandates, licensing agencies, the State of Florida and the YMCA of South Florida guidelines.

Essential Functions / Job Duties

• Provides safety and supervision to children and ensures that activities are planned and followed in accordance with YMCA of South Florida guidelines.
• Maintains coordination with facility personnel for safety and benefit of participants in the program. Ensure that safety rules and practices are followed as they relate to children and staff.
• Ensure that the proper staff-to-child ratio is maintained at all times and report discrepancies to the Site Supervisor as needed.
• Document all necessary administrative forms as directed by Site Supervisor/or Program Director. Conduct and maintain daily attendance rosters.
• Conduct and maintain any necessary measurable tools to track children’s progress.
• Distribute nutritious lunch and snacks on a daily basis using universal health/sanitation practices.
• Follow all YMCA HEPA standards.
• Document behavioral issues and/or incidents daily, as needed.
• Conduct a health check of each child daily noting fever, bumps, bruises, burns, or other questionable signs of abuse and document the incident with the Site Supervisor.
• Maintain high level of professionalism with parents, facility personnel, staff, and clients at all times. Communicate with parents and guardians regularly.
• Uphold all YMCA policies and Risk Management / Safety procedures which require reporting all incident and accidents to Site Director immediately.
• Know and follow proper emergency procedures appropriate to the facility and in conformity with procedures adopted by the YMCA of South Florida and emergency service authorities to ensure the safety of children.
• Preserve the quality of supplies and materials. Report to Site Supervisor when supplies are needed.
• Provide regular inspection of area used by the program to ensure both cleanliness and safety.
• Check bathrooms for supplies and basic cleanliness before allowing participants to enter.
• Attend all staff meetings and training opportunities as required.
• Additional job duties as assigned.

Time Management

• 100% - Works Hands On
• 50% - Focused on executing grant and non-grant curriculum components, ensuring site safety, student engagement, etc.
• 50% - Customer Service (parents, stakeholders, etc.)

Position Expectations

Assist Site Director with reaching enrollment goals, site quality and safety

YMCA COMPETENCIES (i.e. Leader, Team Leader, Multi-Team / Branch Leader)

Mission Advancement: Reinforces the Y’s values within the organization and the community. Effectively communicates the benefits and impact of the YMCA’s efforts for all stakeholders. Implements effective systems to develop volunteers at program and fundraising leadership levels.

Collaboration: Develops strategies to ensure staff and volunteers reflect the community. Builds and nurtures strategic relationships to enhance support for the YMCA. Communicates for influence to attain buy-in and support of goals. Provides tools and resources for the development of others.

Operational Effectiveness: Integrates multiple thinking processes to make decisions. Involves members and community in the development of programs and activities. Ensures execution of plans. Institutes sound accounting procedures and financial controls. Assigns clear accountability and ensures continuous improvement.

Personal Growth: Fosters a learning environment embracing diverse abilities and approaches. Creates a sense of urgency and positive tension to support change. Anticipates challenges that can sidetrack or derail growth and personal learning. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities / Position Requirements

• A high school diploma, GED or High School completion in process (Report Card, School Letter, Etc.).
• One to two (1-2) years’ experience of working with school aged children preferred.
• Ability to relate to children.
• Counselors assigned to M-DCPS sites must be at least 18 years old, at the time of hire.
• Counselors assigned to Community-based sites must be at least 17 years old (with 1 High School Reference), at the time of hire. (Not M-DCPS sites)
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing.
• Florida Certified Teachers in this capacity may use an active Florida Teaching Certificate in lieu of the education requirement.
• Must complete YMCA NEO, safety and risk management trainings.
• Must attend all regularly scheduled staff meetings and trainings.
• Must have demonstrated competency in the planning and implementation of recreational and educational activities.
• Must be able to implement curriculums and provide instruction to participants at a basic level.
• First Aid and CPR certification within 30 days of hire.
• Must complete 1st course within 90 days and remainder of the 45-hour childcare courses within the first year of employment.
• It is the responsibility of the counselor to complete and maintain all necessary certification, within the proper time frame, as set forth by the licensing agency, State of Florida, or the YMCA of South Florida.

Position Profile

• Outgoing personality enjoys speaking to people.
• Innate desire to provide excellent customer service.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work with outside whether conditions. The employee occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
• Works in an indoor/outdoor environment
• Indoor and outdoor facilities (e.g. childcare and recreational sites); exposure to heat, cold, work on slipper or uneven surfaces.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
• Will be required to drive for meetings, trainings, and other work related duties.
• Exposure to viruses, blood borne pathogens that requires use of personal protective equipment

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to success perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities. Being in good physical health with full range of body motion, including manual and finger dexterity and eye/hand coordination. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Occasionally requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Employment at the YMCA is at-will. It is purely voluntary, based upon the consent of both the Association and the staff member. No expressed or implied contractual rights should be inferred from this job description.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to submit to and satisfactorily clear a thorough Level II fingerprint background screening.

As a Drug-Free Employer, all new hires must successfully complete a drug test. Please note Medical Marijuana cards are not accepted and do not exempt you from successfully passing your drug test.

The YMCA of South Florida is committed to the policy of Equal Opportunity prohibiting discrimination in the workplace because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, political affiliation, age or disability.

In accordance with House Bill 531 (2025) the Department of Children and Families require employers to make the “Care Provider Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness” website link: https://info.flclearinghouse.com available to all potential candidates receiving a background check via the Clearinghouse.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.