Childwatch Counselor - WD Ley

About the role

The Childwatch Counselor is responsible for creating a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment for children while their parents/guardians participate in YMCA activities. This position requires a dedicated and responsible youth development professional committed to providing high quality care in the Childwatch program.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the safety and well-being of all children in a welcoming Childwatch environment by monitoring activities to promote safe, age-appropriate behavior and adherence to YMCA policies at all times.
  • Provide for children’s physical needs, including feeding, assisting with restrooms, administering first aid/CPR, and notifying the parents/guardians of necessary diaper changes.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records such as attendance, incident reports, and compliance documentation.
  • Conduct regular headcounts.
  • Respond promptly and appropriately to emergencies and incidents in alignment with established YMCA protocols and procedures, including emergency preparedness.
• Implement positive behavior management techniques that foster a respectful and inclusive environment while addressing the emotional needs of children.
  • Respond to behavioral issues calmly and constructively, following established guidelines, and providing support by soothing distressed children, comforting those who are sick or hurt, redirecting negative behavior, and offering positive reinforcement.
  • Communicate important information or observations to incoming staff regarding individual children and provide an updated list of children currently in attendance.
• Implement a variety of age-appropriate activities, including structured and unstructured activities as outlined in YMCA approved curriculum.
  • Encourage and facilitate positive social interactions among children.
  • Adapt activities to meet the diverse needs and interests of all children.
• Follow all organizational policies, protocols, and procedures, including those related to health and safety, child protection, and confidentiality.
  • Maintain a clean and organized environment, adhering to sanitation and safety standards.
  • Report any concerns or issues to the Childwatch Lead or Program Director promptly.
• Maintain the Childwatch environment by adhering to YMCA of Greater Houston program standards and youth development standards.
  • Supervise children under the direction of the Childwatch Lead.
  • Make sound decisions in alignment with YMCA and youth development standards.
  • Act as a role model to the children by exemplifying the YMCA’s five core values.
• Maintain positive relations with children, parents/guardians, center operations, directors, and other staff.
  • Attend and participate in staff meetings and staff trainings.
• Utilize designated software to accurately check children in and out of Childwatch.
  • Absorb and charge tablets and all communication devices when not in use.
• Report 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.

Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• At least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) preferred.
• At least 6 months of experience working with youth at a childcare facility, church, school or equivalent (preferred).
• Strong awareness of child safety and the ability to respond to emergency situations appropriately.
• Must be able to successfully pass CPR, First Aid, AED certifications and Child Abuse prevention trainings.
• Ability to engage with children positively and create an environment that fosters learning and respect.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities.
• Previous experience with diverse populations.
• 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.

Education and 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.

Reasoning Abilities

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one- or two-step instructions.
• Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.

Physical Demands

• While performing the essential and marginal functions the employee may be required to maintain physical condition necessary for adequate physical performance including light to moderate lifting (up to 25 lbs. with occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs.); bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, climbing; standing, walking, pushing, pulling, reaching, balancing, and crouching; use of hands and fingers, handle or feel; reach; speak and hear, use close and distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perceptions, and ability to adjust focus; must utilize auditory, sensory abilities constantly on the job site.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Work is performed in a primarily indoor environment during the Childwatch program; some exposure to outdoor environment occur; this may include exposure to weather conditions such as heat or cold during summer or winter events.
• Exposure to noise, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, sweat, spills and messes within the facility.
• Some physical requirements of a childwatch position could be endurance including prolonged standing, some bending, stooping, walking long distances, hiking, getting into the pool, climbing, and stretching; requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate outdoor equipment and camp activities; requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate camper activities/programs and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.; willing to work in a camp setting and work irregular hours with limited or simple equipment and facilities; and with daily exposure to the sun, heat, and animals such as bugs, etc.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Work Schedule

Part-time, typically seven days a week, morning shift 8 am – 1 pm, afternoon shift 11 am – 4 pm, evening shift 4 pm – 8 pm (start and end time may vary).

Must be available to attend and participate in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff trainings. Details will be provided in advance.

Details

Travel is primarily to an assigned Childwatch location; however, there are occasions when travel to other Childwatch locations.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

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