Youth Development Lead Counselor- Camp Connect

at  YMCA of Greater Houston

Provides direction for the program and staff and implements school age enrichment program curriculum. Provides a quality experience to children and parents that focuses on youth development, including the YMCA core values: honesty, respect, responsibility, caring, and faith.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• At least 21 years of age.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED). Minimum of 70 clock hours of training in child or youth development, recreational leadership or management. Two (2) college courses are equivalent to 100 clock hours. Minimum Standard #744.1017.
• At least 1 year experience working with youth at a licensed facility, church, school or equivalent.
• CPR, First Aid, AED certifications and Child Abuse prevention trainings.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities
• Previous experience with diverse populations.
• Previous experience supervising others preferred.
• 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.
• Pass a local/state background and FBI fingerprinting check as well as independent drug test.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) with demonstrated interested 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.

• Program Quality: Plan and implements lesson/activity plans curriculum that includes both formal and informal play within the center and outdoors in adherence to Y program model, curriculum and quality standards.
• Leadership: Supervises the children, staff, program area and all activities. Makes sound decisions in alignment with YMCA and state standards. Acts as a role model to the children and staff by exemplifying the YMCA’s five core values.
• Program Evaluation: Lead Youth Program Quality (YPQ) intervention process. Use continuous program monitors to evaluate youth participation and the effectiveness of program and makes adjustments to program as needed.
• Community Engagement: Assist with parent conferences. Maintains communication with families through parent orientations, newsletters and engagement events. Engages parents as volunteers.
• Daily Operations: Maintains the program site and equipment, assists with the set-up and breakdown of activity centers and cleaning of the program area. Adheres to YMCA of Greater Houston program standards and childcare licensing minimum standards.
• Relationship Building: Maintains positive relations with children, parents, school personnel, and other staff. Attends and participates in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff trainings.
• Child Abuse Presentation: 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.