Youth Development Professional (After School) - TK & Kinder - Dayton Elementary

Organization: Boys and Girls Clubs of San Leandro
Location: School-Based Site - Dayton Elementary
Department: Programming
Reports to: Kinder Care Coordinator
Position Type: Part-Time, On-Site

About the role

As a Youth Development Professional, you’ll create a nurturing, playful, and engaging after-school environment where young children can explore, grow, and build confidence. Through hands-on activities, guided play, and positive reinforcement, you’ll support their early learning, social-emotional development, and foundational skills in a way that feels fun and exciting. This role directly contributes to Boys & Girls Clubs of San Leandro by fostering a safe and enriching space that promotes curiosity, creativity, and positive relationships. What makes this role unique is the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in early childhood development, work with a diverse and supportive team, and make a lasting impact during one of the most critical stages of a child’s growth.

Responsibilities

• Engaged Supervision – Maintain constant supervision and create a secure, nurturing environment where young children feel safe, comforted, and supported as they explore and grow.
• Facilitate Engaging Activities – Lead interactive, play-based learning experiences that encourage language development, sensory exploration, motor skills, and social-emotional growth.
• Adapt and Implement Lessons – Deliver hands-on, developmentally appropriate activities that build early literacy, math concepts, problem-solving skills, and self-regulation, adapting based on individual needs and interests.
• Create a Positive Learning Environment – Establish predictable routines, model positive behavior, and use gentle, proactive strategies to guide social skills, emotional expression, and conflict resolution.
• Build Positive Relationships – Foster trust and attachment by offering warmth, encouragement, and individualized attention that supports children’s emotional security and confidence.
• Manage Daily Operations – Oversee smooth transitions between activities, snack time, rest periods, toileting needs, and play, ensuring a structured yet flexible routine that supports young children’s development.
• Collaborate with Your Team – Work closely with colleagues to share observations, adjust strategies, and create a cohesive, developmentally supportive environment.
• Be Flexible and Support Where Needed – Step in to assist with various needs, including comforting children, modifying activities, or adjusting the day’s structure to ensure a positive and enriching experience.

Our Values in Action

• Transformative Leadership: We aspire to transform possibilities into probabilities. By embodying emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and empathy, we foster positive change with humility, authenticity, and continuous self-improvement.
  • Supporting both students and colleagues with a team-first mindset, fostering a collaborative and positive environment that nurtures young learners.
  • Every interaction should be guided by patience, empathy, and emotional intelligence to ensure children feel safe, valued, and encouraged.
  • Modeling curiosity, resilience, and a love for learning through play-based experiences. By embracing challenges with creativity and adaptability, team members create meaningful moments that build confidence and inspire exploration.
• Resilience: We approach every situation with a growth mindset, demonstrating flexibility and courage, reframing challenges as opportunities. We acknowledge our current state, embrace change, and adapt as needed, maintaining a solutions-oriented approach throughout our growth journey.
  • Embracing the energy and unpredictability of each day with patience and enthusiasm, staying positive and engaged despite challenges.
  • Creating a nurturing environment by setting clear expectations, using proactive strategies, and supporting young children as they learn to manage big emotions and new routines.
  • Building trust with children, collaborating with colleagues, and adjusting approaches to meet developmental needs.
  • Viewing obstacles as opportunities to enhance learning experiences, strengthen skills, and create a joyful, supportive space for early growth.
• Youth Centered Approach: Every organizational action or maneuver is designed to directly impact and benefit the youth we serve. We value and prioritize the youth perspective, making decisions with a focus on their needs and well-being, rather than adult convenience.
  • Prioritizing the safety, well-being, and development of every club member.
  • Building strong relationships by understanding each child’s interests and incorporating their voices into programming to maximize engagement.
  • Facilitating age-appropriate activities that promote educational growth while offering mentorship, patience, and guidance each day.
  • Advocating for and empowering young people, ensuring their needs and well-being remain at the heart of every decision.

Requirements

• No prior experience working with youth required—this is an entry-level role.
• Must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible for this position.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• High emotional intelligence and integrity.
• Ability to connect authentically with a diverse group of youth.
• Ability to independently supervise a group of youth.
• Patience and the ability to work under pressure in emotionally charged situations.

Qualifications

Educational Requirements (Must Have One Of The Following):

• High school diploma + 48 college semester units (~ 2 years college), OR
• High school diploma + an Associate’s (or higher) degree, OR
• High school diploma + a passing score on the district’s Paraeducator/Paraprofessional Exam.

Preferred

• Multi-conversational language skills are a huge plus (Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog).
• Experience, education, or coursework in Childhood Development, Education, or related fields.
• Prior experience working in youth programs, education, or nonprofit settings.

Work Environment

• Primarily work in a school-based site at the Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro.
• May occasionally require flexibility to accommodate organizational events or deadlines.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, utilize hand and finger dexterity, climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, or crawl.
• Continually required to talk to, see, and hear youth.
• Rarely work in high, precarious places (playground equipment height).
• Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
• Occasionally exposed to bloodborne and airborne pathogens or infectious materials (Communicable diseases in an office environment including COVID-19, common cold, and flu viruses. Negative TB screen required).
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50-70 pounds (with support, a child that has fallen).
• Specialized equipment: Walkie Talkie radios for communication.

Pay

$20 - $24/hour