Youth Leader

Youth Leader

At the Y, you can channel your passion into a lifelong career helping to deliver positive change. Every day, our staff – of all ages and from all walks of life – work to bridge the gaps in community needs by nurturing the potential of youth and teens, improving our community's health and well-being, and providing support to our neighbors, by serving others, building strong relationships, and incorporating our YMCA values into our everyday work.

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Youth Leader provides support to the Site Director by engaging with youth during programming in a nurturing childcare setting. The Youth Leader promotes and models relationship building with youth, parents, and the YMCA community.

Essential Functions:

1. Supports the program and activities for the assigned location, and travels to local sites to deliver engaging curriculum for before/after school programs and day camps serving excited school age children.
2. Supervises and nurtures children in our local school districts who are participating in purposeful programming and other exciting classroom activities, making ADA accommodations where appropriate.
3. Provides opportunities for youth to lead, problem solve, and make decisions and choices within the program, teaching and practicing YMCA core values of Honesty, Respect, Caring, and Responsibility.
4. Provides and welcomes ongoing dialogue with families about their child's needs and progress, connecting families to the work of the YMCA.
5. Maintain program site, equipment, and ensures the site is clean, safe, and organized for staff and youth to enjoy
6. Attends family nights, program activities, and staff trainings, engaging with staff and participants at meaningful events and completing required training.
7. Follows all safety, emergency, and child abuse prevention policies, procedures, and standards as established and implemented by law, the Site Director, and the Y. Reports and maintain proper documentation of incidents/accidents as they occur.
8. Follows guidelines for preparing, serving, and tracking meals/snacks

Qualifications:

• At least 18 years of age
• Upon job offer, must register in MERIT system, apply for a Portable Background Clearance and Fingerprints, and complete program-specific trainings.
• Ten STARS hours must be completed each year
• Previous experience working with children preferred
• Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds
• Commitment to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Proof of MMR vaccination required for this position.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• 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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to communicable diseases, thus engaging in frequent handwashing and use of disinfectant products
• The employee frequently is required to engage with children in active and mobile programming in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings
• The employee is frequently required to travel to multiple sites including YMCA branches and local schools to deliver programming and serve youth.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud

Diversity Statement:

The YMCA of the Inland Northwest commits to being an inclusive organization for all. Driven by our mission and values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility we actively work to close equity gaps for marginalized and underserved groups. We are inspired to elevate social justice issues facing our community, remove systemic barriers, welcome cultural diversity, and create equity for those in greatest need. Through collaboration with our diverse community partners together we work to effect meaningful change. In all things, we are dedicated to ensuring our Y is a safe, welcoming place for all people to be, belong, and become. The YMCA of the Inland Northwest provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants.

Starting Pay: $17.47/hr

What You Get From Working At The YMCA:

• Frequent opportunities to makes a difference in the lives of youth, adults, and senior members
• Free individual YMCA membership (<19 hours/week) with YMCA program discounts available
• Paid sick time accruing at 1 hour every 40 hours worked
• Up to two children may be enrolled for free in YMCA School-Age programs, and a 50% discount will apply for 3rd child and beyond (for staff working 20+ hours/week)
• Up to two hours of Child Watch services per day, per child while employee is on site and working
• Flexible schedules that work for YOU
• Something new and exciting to learn and work with every day
• Retirement plan with 8% employer contribution after 2 years of service (1,000 or more hours worked required in each anniversary year)

The happiest and most fulfilled Y staff are motivated to help others and want to be a part of something larger than themselves. Join our team! Come be a part of a charitable, mission-driven organization that works for individual and community well-being for all, for a better us.

Apply today! Gonzaga University and Whitworth University Work-Study students encouraged to apply!