Youth Development Enrichment Instructor- Cheer

About the role

Implements quality enrichment curriculum for before‑ and after‑school and/or day‑camp participants, providing a positive experience for children and parents that aligns with the YMCA core values of honesty, respect, responsibility, caring, and faith.

Responsibilities

• Program Quality: Implements enrichment lesson and activity plans for both formal and informal play within the center and outdoors, following established guidelines.
• Leadership: Supervises children under the direction of the Coordinator/Director and serves as a role model by exemplifying the YMCA’s five core values.
• Daily Operations: Assists site lead and counselors with set‑up and breakdown of enrichment activities and cleaning of the program area; adheres to YMCA of Greater Houston program standards and childcare licensing minimum standards.
• Relationship Building: Maintains positive relations with children, parents, school personnel, directors, and other staff; participates in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and trainings.
• Child Abuse Prevention: Reports suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations; follows mandated abuse and incident reporting requirements; ensures proper sign‑in/sign‑out procedures and monitors high‑risk locations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Current CPR, First Aid, AED certifications and Child Abuse prevention training.
• Previous experience working with children in a developmental setting (preferred).
• Experience or expertise in an enrichment area; certification may be required.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement age‑appropriate, developmentally appropriate program activities.
• Experience with diverse populations.
• Current tuberculosis examination and/or compliance with local health department regulations, examinations, and immunizations as required.

Skills

• Language: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos; write simple correspondence; present information effectively in one‑on‑one and small‑group settings.
• Mathematical: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide two‑digit numbers; perform operations using U.S. money, weight, volume, and distance measurements.
• Reasoning: Ability to apply common‑sense understanding to follow simple one‑ or two‑step instructions and handle standardized situations with minimal variables.
• YMCA Competencies (Leader):
  • Mission Advancement – demonstrates YMCA values, serves community needs, recruits volunteers, supports fundraising.
  • Collaboration – works effectively with diverse individuals, builds rapport, listens actively, communicates clearly, assists in developing others.
  • Operational Effectiveness – makes sound judgments, embraces new approaches, plans work, participates in meetings, follows budgeting policies, strives to meet goals.
  • Personal Growth – pursues self‑development, embraces change, assesses personal strengths and limitations, maintains up‑to‑date technical knowledge.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 25 lb; occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lb.

Work Environment

The noise level is usually moderate. Work is performed at an assigned site or camp, with occasional travel to other locations.

Schedule

• Before/After School (Part‑time): Typically Monday‑Friday, afternoon shift 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm (start and end times may vary). Program runs concurrently with the ISD calendar.
• Camp (Full‑time): Typically Monday‑Friday, 6:30 am – 6:30 pm with morning, afternoon, and evening shift options (start and end times may vary). Camps run concurrently with ISD calendar breaks.
• Must be available for family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff trainings; details provided in advance.

Travel

Primary travel is to the assigned site or camp; occasional travel to other locations may be required.