Before and After School - Counselor
OVERVIEW
This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Youth Development Counselor will provide direct supervision to a group of children during the school year in Before & After Programs as well as during Summer Day Camp. You will create positive and nurturing relationships with children, while building cooperative relationships with the parents/caregivers. As the Counselor you will promote and support the potential of all youth in programs and facilitate peer-to-peer connections as part of the overall camp experience.
OUR CULTURE
Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (In General)
- Providing a safe, buturing, yet fun environment for children.
- Supervise, facilitate, and engage with participants during all large and small group activities and in ALL program areas.
- Treat all children with dignity and respect and allow for individual differences. Provide an atmosphere of acceptance and caring for each child and show as much individual attention as possible to each child. Implement curriculum that is age appropriate and helps a child reach their full potential in each area of development.
- Be familiar with and adhere to the program’s policies, health and safety regulations, emergency procedures and be ready to implement if necessary.
- Maintain State licensing and YMCA Associations Standards and Minimum guidelines
- Demonstrate proper care and storage of equipment and supplies as well as program space.
- Maintain an open, friendly, professional relationship with staff, parents, and children.
- Assist in responding to all accidents and incidents with your program.
- Supervise all program areas including gyms and playgrounds.
- Complete routine and required forms to include, but not limited to: attendance records, observation records, incident and injury reports.
- Prepare snacks or meals as assigned.
- May be required to work hours outside of normal work schedule for trainings, extended program hours, parent nights, or association events.
- Provide leadership, guidance, and respect to your fellow peers.
- Modeling good character and hygiene habits.
- Acting as a substitute when requested at other Youth Development Program locations.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Summer Camp Specific): these requirements are in addition to the ones listed above
- Independently leads and supervises children in group activities throughout the entire camp day.
- Primary Responder for all accidents and incidents with your group or any in vicinity.
- Complete routine attendance checks for your group at regular intervals during the day.
- Creatively engages children during transition/down times.
YMCA COMPETENCIES (Leader)
- Inclusion
- Critical Thinking & Decision Making
- Emotional Maturity
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to visually observe children and to physically intervene when the safety of a participant could be compromised.
- Ability to physically move with participants through a wide variety of indoor and outdoor program settings and activities including but not limited to swimming, hiking, skating, gym activities, arts and crafts.
- 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.