Youth Development Counselor-Young People with Disabilities - McWilliams

at  YMCA of Greater Houston

POSTION SUMMARY:

Assist with providing quality care in before and after-school site and camp setting by supporting a fully inclusive experience for children with diverse abilities. Inclusion Counselor will support staff, create interventions and accommodations as needed to give every child a chance to participate.
Assist with providing a quality experience to children and parents that focuses on youth development, including the YMCA core values: honesty, respect, responsibility, caring, and faith.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. At least 18 years of age.
2. High school diploma or general education degree (GED), and some college.
3. At least 12 months working in special education environment
4. At least 6 months working with youth at a licensed facility, church, school or equivalent.
5. CPR, First Aid, AED certifications and Child Abuse prevention trainings.
6. Ability to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities for young people with disabilities
7. Preferred course work in special education or a related field
8. Preferred at least 6 months experience with diverse populations.
9. Current record of tuberculosis examination and/or current local health department regulations, examinations, and/or immunization as required by the local or State Department of Health.
10. Pass a local/state background and FBI fingerprinting check as well as independent drug test

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Some College and High school diploma or general education degree (GED) with demonstrated interest in the welfare of children; prior childcare or baby-sitting experience is preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

1. Program Quality: Assist with planning and implementing lesson/activity plans curriculum that includes formal and informal play within the center and outdoors that are culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate and consistent with YMCA core values. Works directly with youth who have physical and/or cognitive disabilities.
2. Daily Operations. Maintains the program site and camp environment by adhering to YMCA of Greater Houston program standards and childcare licensing minimum standards. Implements accommodations for youth with disabilities.
3. Leadership: Supervises children under the direction of the Site Lead. Makes sound decisions in alignment with YMCA and state standards. Acts as a role model to the children by exemplifying the YMCA’s five core values. Assist camp counselors to adapt materials and activities to be inclusive.
4. Relationship Building: Maintains positive relations with children, parents, school personnel, directors and other staff. Attends and participates in staff meetings, and staff trainings. Works closely with other counselors to ensure all campers are being included.
5. Child Abuse Prevention: Reports suspicious and inappropriate behaviors and policy violations. Follows mandated abuse and incident reporting requirements. Ensures youth are properly signed in and signed out, ensures only authorized adults are allowed in the facility, etc. Adheres to policies related to boundaries with each child. Ensures unused rooms and closets remain locked; routinely monitors high-risk locations (bathrooms), etc.