Family Services - Aventura Specialty Counselor

Under the direction of the Program Director, the Specialty Counselor is responsible for the overall operations and program management of the Specialty Curriculum including participant and parent relationships, supervision of participants, creation of program activities and keeping track of supplies. In addition, the individual in this position is responsible for ensuring that the program adheres to the YMCA of South Florida's Risk Management policies and procedures.
Essential Functions/ Job Duties:

• Develops and plans age-appropriate activities for the Specialty Components to include but not limited to Mini Master Chef (Cooking), Arts and Crafts, Science, Yoga, Fitness Specialties etc..
• Develops lesson plans for the Specialty Camp.
• Ensures compliance with requirements; including staffing appropriately and monitoring day-to-day operations, activities, curriculum planning, programming implementation, and to ensure use of mandatory curricula.
• Implements well-organized and well-varied activities.
• Creates a positive atmosphere, which boosts self-esteem and general self-concept of all participants.
• Communicates clearly and regularly with parents about the program and their child's participation.
• Partners with facility personnel to ensure cohesive relationship is maintained and facility is used properly.
• Monitors equipment and facilities for safety and security purposes.
• Works with the Program Director to ensure that all standards required, and the YMCA are complied with fully.
• Maintains close communication with Program Director of all issues concerning the program.
• Upholds all YMCA policies and Risk Management/ Safety procedures which require reporting all incidents and accidents within 24 hours to the Program Director/corporate office.
• Communicates all programmatic issues and information immediately to supervisor.
• Documents behavior issues and/or incidents daily, as needed.
• Ensures that the proper staff to child ratios are always maintained and reports discrepancies to the Director, as needed.
• Demonstrates, model and gear program to the needs of individual children with concerns for their interests, disabilities, special talents, and developmentally appropriate activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Profile:

• Outgoing personality.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and writing).
• Innate desire to provide excellent customer service.

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities / Position Requirements:

• A high school diploma or GED
• Experience with Specialty Areas Assigned
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• A minimum of two (2) years' work experience with school aged children.
• Ability to relate to both children and adults; understand, practice and model YMCA Character Development values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.
• Must be able to implement curriculums and provide instruction to participants at a basic level.
• Must excel in both written and verbal communication.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to interact with individuals at all levels.
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification within 90 days of hire.
• Must complete 45-hour childcare course within the first year of employment.

It is the responsibility of the Site Director to complete and maintain all necessary certifications, within the proper timeframe, as timeframe, as set forth by either the licensing agency, State of Florida, or the YMCA of South Florida.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

• Being in good physical health with full range of body motion, including manual and finger dexterity and eye/hand coordination. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Occasionally requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours.
• May be required to lift up to 50 pounds with or without assistance.
• Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 20% walking, and 70% standing.
• Intermittent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting, and supporting participants.
• Incumbent will be exposed to virus, disease and infection from program participants.
• Incumbent ma will be required to work at multiple locations throughout summer camp.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to submit to and satisfactorily clear a thorough Level II fingerprinting background screening and drug test.
As a Drug-Free Workplace, all new hires must successfully complete a urinalysis within 72 hours of notice. Failure to complete the drug test within this timeframe will automatically disqualify you from employment. Please note Medical Marijuana cards do not exempt you from successfully passing your drug test.
The YMCA of South Florida is committed to the policy of Equal Opportunity prohibiting discrimination in the workplace because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, political affiliation, age or disability.