Childwatch Lead Counselor-Trotter

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. Counselors will teach values, ensure safety, and facilitate structured play and educational activities for children, in line with youth development principles and YMCA policies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the designated lead, ensuring full compliance with all YMCA of Greater Houston and Youth Development standards.
• Oversee the daily operations of the Childwatch program to maintain a safe, welcoming, nurturing, and engaging environment for all children.
• Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the program site and equipment, including setting up and breaking down activity centers.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of all children and staff by monitoring activities to promote safe, age-appropriate behavior and adherence to YMCA policies.
• Provide for children’s physical needs, including feeding, assisting with restrooms, administering first aid/CPR, and notifying parents/guardians of necessary diaper changes.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records such as attendance, incident reports, and compliance documentation.
• Conduct regular headcounts and ensure staff follow policies, providing redirection as needed.
• 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 provide 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.
• Conduct regular assessments to ensure compliance with youth development standards and organizational policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Follow all organizational policies, procedures, and protocols, 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 Program Director in a timely manner.
• Oversee the implementation 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.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and make adjustments as necessary.
• Maintain positive relations with children, parents/guardians, center operations, directors, and other staff.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and trainings.
• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians regarding their child’s progress, behavior, and any concerns.
• Address inquiries and concerns promptly and professionally.
• Utilize designated software to accurately check children in and out of Childwatch.
• Ensure tablets and all other communication devices are fully charged, ready for use, and properly secured when not in use.
• Serve as the primary center liaison with the software provider.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, including sign-in/out logs, incident reports, and other required documentation.
• Assist with executing retention plans aimed at ensuring high levels of participant engagement and satisfaction.
• Plan and implement lesson/activity plans that include both formal and informal play within the center and outdoors in adherence to Y program model, curriculum, and quality standards.
• Report suspicious and inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
• Follow mandated abuse and incident reporting requirements.
• Ensure youth are properly signed in and signed out, and only authorized adults are allowed in the facility.
• Adhere to policies related to boundaries with each child.
• Ensure unused rooms and closets remain locked; routinely monitor high-risk locations (e.g., bathrooms).

Qualifications

• At least 21 years of age.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• At least 1 year 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.
• 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.

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.
• 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.
• 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

• 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.
• Close and distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Utilize auditory and sensory abilities constantly on the job site.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a primarily indoor environment during the Childwatch program; some exposure to outdoor environment may occur.
• 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 include endurance for prolonged standing, bending, stooping, walking long distances, hiking, climbing, and stretching.
• Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate equipment and activities.
• Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate activities/programs.
• Willingness to work in a camp setting and irregular hours with limited or simple equipment and facilities.
• Daily exposure to the sun, heat, and animals such as bugs, etc.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Schedule

Part-time, typically seven days a week, with shifts including:

• Morning shift: 8 am – 1 pm
• Afternoon shift: 11 am – 4 pm
• Evening shift: 4 pm – 8 pm

Start and end times 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.