Youth Institute Staff

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Youth Institute Staff will participate fully as a member of the youth/teen development staff team to implement a successful program that targets at-risk high school students to create a brighter future for the teens that need it most.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Model the YMCA core values (honesty, respect, caring and responsibility) and philosophy of the YMCA with members, parents, youth participants and other staff in a positive and professional manner consistent with the personnel policies and mission of the Y.
• Mentor rising 9th grade-12th grade students and create a safe and motivational working environment.
• Ensure the emotional and physical safety of participants, encourage growth and provide opportunities for achievement, develop relationships with each teen quickly, making teens feel welcome and offer a sense of belonging.
• Lead and participate in activities, including but not limited to design projects, film projects, games, service learning, wilderness retreat, college and work preparedness, swimming, and rock climbing; provide opportunities for interaction with positive adult role models.
• Plan and lead small group activities that will promote group cohesiveness, social emotional learning skills, and mental health and wellbeing.
• Prepare back up activities for small and large groups to fill in dead time, work proactively with individuals and groups each day showing spontaneity & creativity.
• Be prepared to plan and teach skills, providing youth an opportunity to progressively improve and master skills.

• Prepare and maintain necessary equipment/supplies and track inventory.
• Assists with implementation of YMCA HEPA standards into all programs.

• Recognize individual and group conflicts; effectively resolve conflicts based on YMCA values and procedures.
• Implement YMCA policies and procedures regarding attendance, medical, discipline, abuse prevention and emergency situations.
• Professionally communicates as needed, confidential and evaluative information regarding program participants with parents/guardians through various means including but not limited to parent communication and parent/teacher conferences.
• Maintain positive relations with YMCA staff. Model relationship-building skills in all interactions.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as needed.
• Follow organization’s policies and procedures regarding protecting youth from abuse; including screening and selection, training and supervision, and responding to allegations. Communicate to all staff and volunteers the organization’s commitment to protect youth from abuse.
• Follow mandated reporting requirements.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY:

Everything we do at the YMCA is based on the ideal that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or identity, diverse abilities, age, religion, socioeconomic status or any other statuses or identities. Our work is focused on eliminating barriers to access, eliminating disparities in health, providing educational support, supporting working families, and growing our next generation of change makers for our country.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum age of 20 years or older.
• Experience with high school or middle school participants.
• Within 30 days of hire completion of: Child Abuse Prevention for Supervisory Staff; Working with Program Volunteers; CPR; First Aid; AED; Bloodborne Pathogens; Food Handler Permit; YMCA Rockwall Belay Certification
• Have a firm working knowledge of child development, behavior management, positive conflict resolution and social emotional learning.
• Ability to model YMCA core values of respect, responsibility, caring and honesty.
• Ability to perform under deadlines, multi-task, management & group leader skills within a team atmosphere.
• Be self-motivated, well organized and have good decision making skills.
• Have excellent interpersonal, public relations and communications skills.
• Possess a strong ability to relate to and communicate with a diverse group of teens.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with at-risk teens and dealing with crisis situations preferred.
• Able to be certified to drive YMCA van (21+ with good driving record)
• Experience with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator.
• Experience with movie editing (i.e. iMovie, Premiere Pro), Sound Production (i.e. Garage band, Podcasting).

WORK ENVIRONMENT & 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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to safely supervise program activities.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.