Stay and Play Associate - Abingdon (Ward)

The happiest and most fulfilled Y associates are those who are motivated to help others and who want to be part of something larger than themselves. If this speaks to your heart, we invite you to join our team as part of a charitable, mission-driven organization that works for individual and community well-being for all.

About the Role

Under the supervision of the Youth and Family Services Program Director, or other assigned associate, the Stay and Play Associate is responsible for delivering excellent services to all members, guests, and program participants. The primary function will be to highly engage with members, guests, and program participants, including supervising children whose parents/guardians are participating in activities in the Y family center, protecting children, and maintaining a safe environment.

Responsibilities

• Report to work in uniform a minimum of ten minutes prior to assigned shift to receive communications and instructions from supervisor or associate.
• Provide excellent services to members, guests, and program participants in the Y center, on the phone, and through email exchange.
• Build meaningful relationships with members, guests, and program participants through positive and solution-driven interaction.
• Provide a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment which fosters the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative development of each child in our care.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately with children and parents/guardians.
• Engage highly with children by guiding them to activities, using their names, and monitoring their actions during their usage of the center.
• Maintain a clean and disinfected environment for children’s safety.
• Maintain all proper paperwork including sign-in/out process, behavior reports, “boo boo” reports, incident reports, etc.
• Understand the age and stages of youth development and work with children accordingly.
• Adhere and enforce all policies, guidelines, rules, and best practices as outlined by the Y in Central Maryland with positive interaction.
• Respond to safety and emergency situations.
• Handle conflict, concerns, member frustrations, and unusual center situations effectively.
• Inform proper leaders of operating challenges and/or conflicts during operating hours (either with members and/or associates).
• Focus on quality experiences and engagement within programs, services, and activities.
• Promote a professional image and maintain a clean and safe environment at all times.
• Work with a diverse population, including all ages, genders, and sexual orientations.
• Attend and actively participate in all meetings as assigned.
• Incorporate the four character values of the YMCA: 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.
• Youth and/or youth programming experience preferred.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Current CPR/AED/O2/First Aid certification (or within 30 days of hire).
• Flexible schedule, including days, nights, and weekends.
• Completion of new associate training (including Child Abuse Prevention) before scheduled to work.

Physical Demands

• Required to walk, stand, kneel, stoop, push, and lift up to 50 pounds.
• May 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.
• Must be able to stand or sit for long periods of time.
• Must be physically able to successfully complete required certifications.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package designed to support 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 that align with our mission to empower individuals and strengthen communities.

An offer of employment is contingent upon receipt of satisfactory results for minimum requirements of the position, which may include a background check, drug test, driver’s license record, CPS, and/or criminal background check. Additional checks may be required in the future to maintain these standards.