Youth Development Site Lead - Wilkinson Elementary

About the Role

Join a team that’s shaping the next generation. At the YMCA, we’re more than an afterschool program provider—we’re a community dedicated to helping young people grow, learn, and thrive. If you’re a motivated leader who is passionate about youth development, safety, and program excellence, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while leading a high-quality program that supports children and families every day.

Pay

The YMCA is currently offering a temporary $3.00 per hour stipend for Youth Development Site Leads working in our Before/After School Programs serving Katy ISD, Conroe ISD, and Humble ISD. This temporary stipend is separate from base pay and is available only to employees assigned to eligible locations. The stipend 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 where every child can learn, grow, and thrive. Ensure proper supervision, 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 all YMCA Houston and state regulations and standards. Oversee the daily operations of the afterschool program, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for all children. Maintains the program site and equipment, assists with the set-up and breakdown of activity centers and cleaning of the program area.

Supervision and Safety: Ensure the safety and security of all children and staff at the site. Maintain accurate records, including attendance, incident reports, and compliance documentation. Monitor the children’s activities to ensure they engage in safe and age-appropriate behaviors. Monitor site staff adherence to policies and redirect as needed. Conduct regular headcounts and maintain accurate attendance records. Respond appropriately and promptly to emergencies and incidents, following established YMCA policies.

Behavior Management: Implement positive behavior management techniques to promote a respectful and inclusive environment. Address behavioral issues in a calm and constructive manner, following established guidelines.

Program & Policy Compliance: Conduct regular safety drills and inspections to ensure compliance with licensing requirements and organizational policies. Ensure required postings are on display. Follow all organizational policies and procedures, including those related to health and safety, child protection, and confidentiality. Maintain a clean and organized environment, adhering to sanitation and safety standards. Report any concerns or issues to Program Director in a timely manner.

Program Planning and Implementation: Oversee the implementation of age-appropriate activities, including structured and unstructured activities as outlined in YMCA approved curriculum. Encourage and facilitate positive social interactions among children. Adapt activities to meet the diverse needs and interests of all children. Evaluate program effectiveness and make adjustments as necessary.

Parent and Community Engagement: Communicate regularly with parents regarding their child’s progress, behavior, and any concerns. Address parent inquiries and concerns promptly and professionally. Follow all organizational policies and procedures, including those related to health and safety, child protection, and confidentiality. Maintain a clean and organized environment, adhering to sanitation and safety standards. Report any concerns or issues to Program Director in a timely manner.

Administrative Duties: Maintain accurate enrollment and attendance records, including sign-in sheets and daily rosters.

Program Growth and Retention: Develop and implement strategies to promote program growth and increase enrollment. Create and execute retention plans to ensure high levels of participant satisfaction and continuity. Monitor and analyze enrollment trends and feedback to identify areas for improvement and opportunities for expansion.

Program Quality: Plan and implements lesson/activity plans curriculum that includes both formal and informal play within the center and outdoors in adherence to Y program model, curriculum and quality standards.

Program Evaluation: Lead Youth Program Quality (YPQ) intervention process. Use continuous program monitors to evaluate youth participation and the effectiveness of program and makes adjustments to program as needed.

Child Abuse Prevention: Reports suspicious and inappropriate behaviors and policy violations. Follows mandated abuse and incident reporting requirements. Ensures youth are properly signed in and signed out, ensures only authorized adults are allowed in the facility, etc. Adheres to policies related to boundaries with each child. Ensures unused rooms and closets remain locked; routinely monitors high-risk locations (bathrooms), etc.

Qualifications

• At least 21 years of age.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Minimum of 70 clock hours of training in child or youth development, recreational leadership or management (two college courses are equivalent to 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.