Youth Program Leader

asymca; California (MO); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Armed Services YMCA in the United States seeks a Youth Program Leader to implement the Operation Hero curriculum and supervise school-age children (grades 2-8). The role models ASYMCA values—caring, respect, responsibility, honesty—and delivers engaging, meaningful activities to promote learning and caring for others.

The role involves coordinating weekly themes, materials, and activities, maintaining safety and confidentiality, and communicating with families and school staff.

Qualifications

• College degree focusing on child development or related field preferred; equivalent experience may be substituted.
• 2+ years’ experience working with children in a group setting preferred.
• CPR and First Aid certification required within 15 days of hire.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Able to pass a background check and drug testing.

Responsibilities

• Implement the Operation Hero program by preparing curriculum and coordinating activities, games, worksheets, songs, and lessons with the current week’s theme, and incorporate YMCA values.
• Arrange materials 30 minutes prior to class and ensure program starts/ends on time per lesson plan.
• Develop and maintain relationships with school personnel and families for effective communication; resolve conflicts non-threateningly.
• Attend mandatory meetings and trainings; coordinate research and share resources with other facilitators.
• Able to work after school hours.

Skills

Communication

Multitasking

Leadership

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in child development or related field

Job description

Summary

The Youth Program Leader is responsible for the implementation of the Operation Hero program and the direct supervision of school-age children. This position models and teaches the Armed Services YMCA’s values and ensures military youth, grades 2-8, are provided fun and meaningful activities to promote learning and caring of others.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Implement the Operation Hero program by preparing curriculum and coordinating activities, games, worksheets, songs, and lessons with the current week’s theme, and incorporate the YMCA character values of caring, respect, responsibility, and honesty into the position.
• Arrange materials as needed for each day 30 minutes prior to the start of class and ensure program begins and ends on time and meets lesson plan guidelines.
• Develop and maintain relationships with school personnel and families to ensure effective communication. Able to negotiate and resolve conflict by utilizing non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues.
• Attend all mandatory meetings and trainings as requested and be prepared to coordinate research and share resources with other facilitators.
• Able to work after school hours.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide feedback to parents regarding their children; provide information and/or referrals as needed.
• Prepare end of school year report, class attendance on a monthly basis, assemble any needed resources for the classroom.
• Purchase or submit purchase orders, program cash receipts, and healthy snacks for the program participants.
• Take accurate attendance of students and ensure they meet the military child requirements. Maintain clear and updated class roster with pertinent information; provide a copy to Director by the 1st of each month with prior month information.
• Ensure an organized, safe, and clean program space for the children.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Proficient in writing reports and lesson plans.
• Highly self‑motivated and able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Able to maintain confidentiality of program information.
• Armed Services YMCA employee guidelines apply.

Qualifications

• College degree focusing on child development or related field preferred; equivalent experience may be substituted.
• 2+ years’ experience working with children in a group setting preferred.
• CPR and First Aid certification required within 15 days of hire.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Able to successfully pass a background check and drug testing.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL & ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel and use hands, arms and legs for dexterity, balance and climbing stairs frequently. Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Occasionally lifts, carries and balances objects weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Pulls and pushes objects such as file drawers and supplies.
• Prioritizes and multi‑tasks work and projects requiring good memory, concentration and analytical thinking.
• Sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions of position and to safely supervise children’s activities.

Military spouses, veterans and military affiliated job seekers encouraged to apply.

Armed Services YMCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. ASYMCA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. ASYMCA encourages applicants of all ages.

Armed Services YMCA acknowledges the minimal use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in our initial recruitment stages. All AI use is coupled with human review and is designed to assist our team in building efficiencies and excelling at focusing on timeliness and communication in our hiring process. Our hiring teams thoroughly evaluate skills and qualifications and make all final hiring decisions.