Assistant Leader

About the Role

As an Assistant Group Leader, you’ll be right in the middle of the action—helping create fun, exciting, and memorable experiences that kids will talk about all year long! You’ll work alongside our Group Leaders and School Age Site Coordinator to keep the day running smoothly while jumping into the fun yourself. Whether you’re leading a game, helping with an awesome activity, coaching a child through their homework, cheering a child on, or just being the person who makes a student's day a little brighter—you’ll make a difference!

The before school program runs from 7:00 AM until school begins, and the afternoon program runs from school dismissal at 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM at our Kingston/Halifax/Dennett location.

Responsibilities

• Jump into the fun! Participate in games, sports, crafts, challenges, theme days, and all kinds of activities.
• Be a role model, cheerleader, and support the children in your care.
• Help kids try new things, make friends, build confidence, and have a blast!
• Keep an eye on the group and help make sure everyone is safe, happy, and included.
• Work with the team to keep activities organized, clean, exciting, and moving along.
• Bring your energy, creativity, and personality to the program every day.
• Help maintain a clean, healthy, and ready-for-fun environment.
• Demonstrate and live out the YMCA values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
• Follow YMCA policies, EEC policies, safety guidelines, licensing requirements, and all program expectations.
• Understand and ensure EEC regulations as well as Old Colony Y policies (Child and Youth Care policy, Child Guidance Policy, Health Care Policy) are maintained at all times.
• Assist with implementing the program curriculum in accordance with EEC regulations and Old Colony YMCA’s policies, including Y Chat, Asset Curriculum, BOKS, and Fun/Food Curriculum.
• Maintain proper behavior of children at all times with strict adherence to the YMCA Child Guidance Policy and the Child Care Policy.
• Assist with Fun/Food Curriculum, menu planning, and ensure guidelines meet HEPA standards.
• Understand and maintain QRIS standards.
• Act in a public relations capacity when communicating with parents, school personnel, and potential clients.
• Maintain attendance records and all necessary reports.
• Attend weekly site staff meetings and monthly asset/school age curriculum meetings.
• Meet with the School Age Site Coordinator as directed.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with school or other site-specific personnel.
• Help ensure maximum enrollment is achieved.
• Assist with the Annual Campaign and other fundraising events.
• Adhere to all fiscal policies and procedures, such as purchase orders and employee expenses.
• Ensure a clean, organized, and safe program space.
• Communicate facility issues to appropriate staff in a timely manner.
• Actively participate on assigned committees and with the Y’s Annual Campaign.
• Promote Y programs through public appearances and presentations.
• Attend at least 20 hours of childcare training annually.

Requirements

• Minimum of 16 years of age.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• CPR/AED and First Aid certifications required (willing to train).
• Evidence of physical examination within the last 12 months.
• Negative Mantoux TB test and immunity for measles, mumps, and rubella.
• Ability to create and sustain a culture of excellence and work and thrive as part of a cohesive team.
• Ability to lift/move heavy equipment and clean when necessary.
• Willingness to work early mornings, late nights, and weekends as needed.
• Strong oral communication skills for occasional public speaking responsibilities.
• Ability to sit, stand, bend, lift up to 75 lbs on occasion and 40 lbs frequently (children), and move intermittently during work hours.
• Thorough understanding of Y-USA’s three focus areas: Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility; proven ability to identify and meet the needs of children.

Leadership Competencies

• 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 fundraising.
• 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 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.
• 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.