Youth Development Site Lead - CJ Harris Elementary

About the Role

Join a team that’s shaping the next generation. At the YMCA, we’re more than an after‑school program provider—we’re a community dedicated to helping young people grow, learn, and thrive. This role offers a motivated leader the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while leading a high‑quality program that supports children and families every day.

Pay

Earn an additional $3.00 per hour temporary stipend for Youth Development Site Leads working in our Before/After School Programs serving Katy ISD, Conroe ISD, and Humble ISD. The stipend is separate from base pay, applies only to employees assigned to eligible locations, and may be modified or discontinued based on organizational needs and funding availability.

Responsibilities

• Keep Children Safe: Create and maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment, conduct regular headcounts, monitor activities, maintain attendance records, and respond appropriately to emergencies while following YMCA and state licensing requirements.
• Site Management: Serve as the designated Texas Childcare Licensing Site Director, ensuring compliance with YMCA Houston and state regulations, overseeing daily operations, maintaining the program site and equipment, and assisting with set‑up, breakdown, and cleaning of activity areas.
• Supervision and Safety: Ensure safety and security of all children and staff, maintain accurate records (attendance, incident reports, compliance documentation), monitor age‑appropriate behaviors, enforce policies, and respond promptly to emergencies.
• Behavior Management: Implement positive behavior management techniques, address behavioral issues calmly and constructively, and follow established guidelines.
• Program & Policy Compliance: Conduct safety drills and inspections, ensure required postings are displayed, follow health, safety, child protection, and confidentiality policies, and maintain a clean, organized environment.
• Program Planning and Implementation: Oversee age‑appropriate structured and unstructured activities per YMCA curriculum, encourage positive social interactions, adapt activities to diverse needs, and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Parent and Community Engagement: Communicate regularly with parents about progress and concerns, address inquiries promptly, and uphold health, safety, and confidentiality standards.
• Administrative Duties: Maintain accurate enrollment and attendance records, including sign‑in sheets and daily rosters.
• Program Growth and Retention: Develop strategies to promote enrollment, create retention plans, monitor trends, and identify improvement opportunities.
• Program Quality: Plan and implement lesson/activity plans that align with the Y program model, curriculum, and quality standards.
• Program Evaluation: Lead Youth Program Quality (YPQ) intervention process, use continuous monitoring to assess participation and effectiveness, and adjust programming as needed.
• Child Abuse Prevention: Report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors, follow mandated abuse and incident reporting requirements, ensure proper sign‑in/out procedures, control access to the facility, and secure high‑risk areas.

Qualifications

• At least 21 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of 70 clock hours of training in child or youth development, recreational leadership, or management (two college courses count as 100 clock hours).
• Minimum Standard #744.1017.
• At least one year of experience working with youth in a licensed childcare facility, school, church, or similar setting.
• CPR, First Aid, AED, and Child Abuse Prevention certifications (or ability to obtain).
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement age‑appropriate activities and programming.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Ability to pass state and local background checks and FBI fingerprinting requirements.
• Current TB test and any required health screenings or immunizations per state and local regulations.

Physical & Work Environment

This active leadership role requires regular movement throughout the program site, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, and participation in indoor and outdoor activities. The ability to lift up to 50 lb occasionally is required. Work environments include classrooms, cafeterias, playgrounds, gymnasiums, and outdoor recreation spaces, with exposure to varying weather conditions, moderate noise levels, and active youth programming. During camp seasons, site leads may transition into Youth Development Counselor responsibilities and participate in hiking, swimming, field trips, and extended periods of standing and walking.

Schedule

Before/After School Program: Part‑time, Monday–Friday, typically 6:30 am–8:30 am and/or 2:30 pm–6:30 pm (aligned with the ISD calendar). Occasional Saturdays may be required.
Camp Program: Monday–Friday, operating between 6:30 am–6:30 pm with multiple shift options (aligned with school district breaks). Occasional Saturdays may be required.
Participation in family nights, staff meetings, trainings, and program events is required with advance notice.

Benefits

• Free YMCA membership.
• Discounts on YMCA programs.
• Paid training and professional development opportunities.
• Leadership growth pathways within youth development and YMCA operations.
• Supportive, mission‑driven team environment.
• Flexible scheduling opportunities.
• Opportunities to make a lasting impact on the community and families.