Program Associate - Abingdon (Ward)

About the Role

Under the supervision of the Youth and Family Services Program Director or other assigned associate, the Youth and Family Program Associate is responsible for delivering excellent services to all members, guests, and program participants. The primary function includes supervising children whose parents or guardians are participating in activities at the Y family center, protecting children, maintaining a safe environment, and supporting youth programming by leading activities such as Familyhood Crafts, Little Movers, and other youth enrichment offerings.

Responsibilities

• Report to work in uniform at least ten minutes prior to assigned shift.
• Provide excellent services to members, guests, and program participants in-person, on the phone, and through email.
• Implement quality experiences and engagement within programs, services, and activities.
• Build meaningful relationships with members, guests, and program participants through positive and solution-driven interactions.
• Provide a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment fostering social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative development of each child.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with children and parents/guardians.
• Actively engage with children by greeting them by name, guiding them through activities, and monitoring their safety and participation.
• Maintain a clean and disinfected environment for children’s safety.
• Maintain all proper paperwork including sign-in/out process, communication reports, attendance data, and incident reports.
• Understand the age and stages of youth development and work effectively with children.
• Follow and enforce all Y of Central Maryland policies, guidelines, rules, and best practices while fostering positive interactions.
• Handle conflict, concerns, member frustrations, and unusual center situations, and inform proper leaders of operating challenges.
• Promote a professional image and maintain a clean and safe environment at all times.
• Work with diverse populations, all ages, genders, and sexual orientations.
• Attend and actively participate in all assigned meetings.
• Incorporate the four character values of the Y: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, and adhere to the YCM Code of Conduct.
• Communicate the Y mission and objectives to the community.
• Assist in all other areas as assigned.

Requirements

• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Effective communication skills, especially with children.
• Experience working with youth and/or youth programming.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Current CPR/AED/O2/First Aid certification (or within 30 days of hire).
• Flexible schedule, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Completion of new associate training (including Child Abuse Prevention) before scheduled to work.

Physical Demands

• Walk, stand, kneel, stoop, push, and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Occasionally work in outside weather conditions and be exposed to wet, cold, and/or humid conditions.
• Continuous operations requiring attention to detail and multitasking.
• Exposure to cleaning supplies.
• Stand or sit for long periods of time.
• Physically able to successfully complete required certifications.

An offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a background check, drug test, driver’s license record, CPS, and/or Criminal Background check. Additional checks may be required in the future.

All Y associates agree to abide by The Code of Conduct with Youth, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for young people, and must complete training on child abuse prevention.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package supporting well-being and professional growth.
• Flexible schedules and competitive pay.
• Generous paid time off.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Dependent care FSA.
• Generous employer contribution to the Y retirement fund.
• Opportunities for career advancement.
• Training and development programs aligned with the mission to empower individuals and strengthen communities.