Youth Development Counselor

Missoula YMCA; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 16,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Missoula YMCA is seeking a Youth Development Counselor to engage Missoula’s youth in safe, healthy activities. The role includes facilitating afternoon club programs, patrolling the Youth Hub, and hosting birthday parties, while serving as a positive role model who upholds the Y core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

The position is part-time (5-10 hours/week) with a typical wage starting at $13.85 per hour, DOE, and requires CPR, First Aid, and Child Abuse Training; a

Qualifications

• CPR, First Aid, and Child Abuse Training are required (can be obtained at the YMCA)
• Experience working with children is preferred
• Prior experience in youth programs, camps, or YMCA departments is a plus
• Satisfactory background check is required to work with children

Responsibilities

• Facilitate youth and teen club activities to encourage growth and development
• Patrol the YMCA Youth Hub and supervise activities in youth spaces
• Set up, host, and clean up after birthday parties and rentals
• Communicate with members, staff, and supervisors; enforce safety rules and policies
• Maintain a welcoming environment and model Y values (Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility)
• Attend trainings and meetings as required

Skills

CPR Certification

First Aid

Child Abuse Training

Experience with children

Youth programs

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Minimum one year of high school attendance

Job description

Description

Job Title: Youth Development Counselor

Status: Part time, Y Grade 2

Wage: $13.85+/hr DOE

Hours: 5-10 hours/week

Reports to: Associate Director of Youth Development

Revision Date: 3/2026

Probation: Subject to Montana 12-month introductory (probationary) period

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Youth Development Counselor is responsible for proactively engaging Missoula’s youth in safe and healthy choices while attending the YMCA. The Youth Development Counselors will facilitate afternoon club programs, patrol the YMCA Youth Hub (moving between the Youth Gym, Youth Activity Center, Climbing Wall & Hub), and setting up, hosting, and cleaning up after birthday parties. Youth Development Counselors must be comfortable working with adults & children, other Y-staff, and communicating clearly with supervisors. Counselors are viewed as positive role models in the facility and in the community, and should always model the Y core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. Counselors must be able to thrive in an environment with the unique challenges of a non-profit and community service organization, and have the flexibility to work in a constantly changing environment. Works with minimal supervision.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Adheres to the Mission of the YMCA at all times and implements the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect & responsibility into youth spaces.
• Facilitate youth & teen club activities, building on curriculum week to week to provide opportunity for growth & development of interests.
• Facilitates party rentals - setting up rented spaces beforehand, hosting party goers during, signaling the end of rentals, and cleaning rented spaces afterward.
• Actively patrol throughout YMCA ground-floor spaces, engaging youth members in space appropriate activities.
• Know, educate, and enforce rules and policies to members.
• Ensure a safe environment for all members using any part of the facility
• Know the names of members and make self known and available to them.
• Establish a positive culture amongst members in youth spaces fostering an appreciation for the spaces, and ownership/belonging amongst youth members.
• Assist with implementation of other youth programs engaged in the youth spaces.
• Attend staff meetings, in-service training programs, certification courses, and required child sexual abuse prevention traning.
• Communicate facility needs and concerns to supervisor, and help maintain the cleanliness of YMCA spaces including hallways, restrooms, gyms, Youth Activity Center, The Hub, and the Airnasium.
• Understand all emergency procedures including code adam, evacuation, lockdown, active shooter, and wallfast rescue.
• Communicate effectively with members, supervisor, and other YMCA staff.
• Comply with legal and ethical obligation as a mandatory reporter of suspected child abuse and cooperate fully with any investigation of such abuse.
• Know the schedule and report for work on time.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Preferred – High school diploma or equivalent
• Required – Mimimum one year of high school attendance

Experience

• Required – Certification in CPR, First Aid, Child Abuse Training – can be obtained at the YMCA
• Preferred – Experience working with children
• Preferred – Prior experience working in youth programs, camps, or other YMCA departments

Required - Satisfactory Background Check required to be eligible to work with children

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work effectively in a group as a team member
• Interpret and enforce all safety and health regulations
• Ability to respond to emergency situations
• Ability to build genuine relationships with participants and maintain a welcoming environment with people from all walks of life
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work enthusiastically with constantly changing priorities
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to create and maintain positive relationships and work with a diverse group of individuals
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and handle conflicts in a timely and professional manner
• Must be able to meet minimum requirements and perform functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Must be able to communicate clearly to all children, parents, members and company personnel
• Ability to attend all trainings and meetings as required, even if scheduled outside normal working or regular scheduled hours
• Present a clean, well-groomed appearance
• Ability to walk, stand, and sit (including on the floor) for long periods of time
• Exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids
• Must be able to lift and carry supplies and equipment weighing up to 75 pounds
• Frequently requires bending, leaning, kneeling, lifting and walking

YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

Community: Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs

Relationships: Builds rapport and relates well to others

Decision Making: Makes sound judgments and transfers learning from one situation to another

This job description is not to be used as the only reference for the position. It is to be used as a base guideline for defining ones role. Position requirements and responsibilities are constantly evolving and changing. Performance reviews and regular discussions will outline further expectations and goals of the position. My signature indicates that I have received a copy of this job description, understand what the YMCA’s requirements and positions expectations, and meet the QUALIFICATIONS, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES LISTED.