Program Assistant

Brief Description

Position Summary

Provides program support and delivery of a specific program to the membership and community that focuses on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Works under general supervision by following standard practice and procedures.

Essential Functions

• Actively works within assigned program area, using this time to develop member relationships, improve engagement, coach staff and improve the overall quality of programs.
• Participates in program related events, meetings and staff trainings.
• Supports the Program Director to ensure all assigned program areas are in compliance with YMCA program and safety standards. Assist with tracking staff certifications.
• Monitors and evaluates program delivery within program area and provides feedback to Program Director to ensure high quality programming. Plan and implement activity plans for program area.
• Assists the Program Director with interviewing, onboarding and training new staff. May assist with creating staff schedules.
• Assists with the execution and implementation of new program initiatives.
• Supports the Program Director with creating marketing materials, tracking program records and registrations and creating program schedules.
• Identifies concerns and works with program director to resolve them in a timely manner. Addresses and reports safety concerns immediately.
• Supports the Program Director with identifying program needs in relation to staffing, program supplies, equipment, etc.
• Responds to all member and participant inquiries and complaints in timely manner.
• Assists in center fund raising activities and special events.
• Participates in the center’s Cause-Driven Leader on Duty (CDLOD) schedule.
• Other duties in support of the role or as assigned.

YMCA Culture & Cause Expectations

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. It’s who are, who we aspire to be and how we show up every day. We are cause-driven. We don’t just show up, we show up with purpose. As a cause driven leader you are expected to be:

Welcoming-Accept neighbors eagerly, warmly, hospitably, and as equal participants.

Nurturing-To care for, support, and help develop through encouragement.

Hopeful-Take an optimistic or positive view of future outcomes.

Determined-To devote full strength and concentrated attention to the cause.

Genuine–To be honest and open in relationships with others.

YMCA Competencies (Leader)

Mission Advancement : Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.

Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Operational Effectiveness : Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience.

Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.

Personal Growth : Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

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.

• Previous customer service, program delivery or related experience.
• Strong computer skills including experience working with Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) with children and adults.
• Desire to work with children and families and the ability to relate to them in a positive, patient, sensitive and non-judgmental manner.
• Ability to connect with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Minimum age of 18 years.
• CPR, First Aid, AED certifications and Child Abuse prevention trainings.

Language Skills

Ability to read, interpret, retain, and teach documents such as safety rules, operating maintenance instructions, and procedure/educational manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of children, parents, staff, members of the YMCA, and/or others, as well as in one-on-one situations.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense, understanding, and sound mature judgment to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form, including assisting with curriculum learning. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to be sensitive and alert to the needs, feelings, and safety of others. Ability to ensure children’s safety and maintain YMCA and state standards and guidelines at all times.

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 required to stand, walk, and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, and/or feel objects, tools, and/or controls; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and taste and smell. The employee must frequently move and/or lift up to 50 pounds and move up to 100 pounds such as furniture, supplies, equipment, children, etc. Possess adequate vision and hearing to safely monitor environment and children. Ability to remain alert, continuously scan all areas of the pool with clear vision and perform strenuous physical tasks necessary for a water rescue. Ability to hear noises, distinguish distress signals and communicate verbally, including projecting voice across distance in normal and loud situations.

Hours

Flexible with scheduling and available to work operational hours of the YMCA, which may include day, evening, weekends, and/or holidays, based on the center needs.

This job description is not all inclusive. The YMCA of Greater Houston reserves the right to amend this job description at any time.

The YMCA of Greater Houston provides Equal Employment Opportunities for employment to all employees and applicants, including disability and protected veteran status.