POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Program Director, the position is responsible for the direct care, supervision and well being of all participants enrolled in the Before/After School Enrichment Program. The Senior Group Leader assists the Program Director or Site Director in supervising staff and with oversight of all program activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Organizes, plans, and executes high quality, age-appropriate activities for enrolled participants.
• Actively encourages participation in all activities to ensure growth and development.
• Ensures all necessary supplies are on hand and well maintained at all times.
• Enthusiastically participates in creating a fun environment for all participants
• Responsible for the physical safety of participants at all times, including understanding and being able to implement emergency procedures as necessary
• Monitors the program area at all times to ensure physical safety, and immediately makes changes, as necessary.
• Release participants ONLY to authorized persons (must ask for ID)
• Ensures the childcare facility is neat, orderly, and free of all safety impediments.
• Develops and fosters interpersonal relationships between participants, staff, and caregiver/families; pro-actively creates a positive, welcoming environment of cooperation, friendliness, and helpfulness towards staff and customers.
• Indirectly supervises other staff (Group Leaders, Jr Group Leaders) in the performance of their duties by providing guidance, leadership, and training.
• Actively listens to all participants, staff, and members, showing patience, understanding, and respect for others.
• Actively protects the emotional safety of all participants and staff, encouraging development of social skills and emotional intelligence
• Creates an environment where participants are free to be themselves
• Actively and enthusiastically maintains open channels of communication with caregivers, seeking to build a trusting and cooperative relationship with families
• Quickly responds to concerns of participants, caregivers, and other staff
• Establishes structure and routines for participants by setting boundaries and behavior guidelines
• Exemplifies appropriate behavior and is a role model for participants
• Continuously orients, instructs, and guides participants through the guidelines of the program and ensures adherence; disciplines participants within established guidelines of the YMCA and caregiver, and only when appropriate.
• Documents attendance, absenteeism and incidents for each child in compliance with state/county/district requirements
• Immediately reports all unusual incidents or accidents to the Program Director and fills out all applicable and necessary reports.
• Other job-related duties as assigned may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of this position.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL POSITIONS:

• Will appear clean, neat, and appropriately attired in accordance with the Association’s Policy on personal appearance
• Will adhere to all YMCA and DCF policies
• Sets measurable goals and evaluates achievement of goals
• Reports to work at the scheduled time and works as scheduled
• Completes work in a timely, accurate and thorough manner
• Nothing in this job description restricts management’s job to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time

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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, kneel or stand extended periods of time. The employee frequently is required to 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 YMCA of Southwest Florida has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the YMCA of Southwest Florida reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the YMCA of Southwest Florida may deem appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Must be over the age of 18
• Successfully complete State of Florida Criminal History Background Check requirements as well as meet the Association’s policies on background screening
• Minimum of 2 years prior experience working with children
• Able to adhere to drug/alcohol/smoke free workplace policy
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Positive attitude
• Able to work well with others; take and provide guidance; be enthusiastic, patient, and flexible
• Must be able to effectively communicate with children and parents
• Skilled in teaching a variety of crafts, songs, stories, games, sports, aquatics and related enrichment activities

CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• Infant/child CPR & First Aid
• Annual completion of YMCA Blood Borne Pathogens training
• Annual completion of YMCA Child Sexual Abuse Prevention class
• 40 clock hours of Introduction to Child Care Training class*(State Mandated)
• 5 clock hours of Early Literacy and Language Development Training class*
• 40 clock hours of annual In-Service training completed between July 1st and June 30th of each calendar year (CDA certified personnel only require 10 clock hours)
• Staff Safety Requirements/Cleaning Protocols
• Additional training classes as recommended by Supervisor

*Employee must enroll in these trainings within 90 days of hire date and must be completed within 1 year of hire date if not already completed. Professional Development/CEU’s may qualify in lieu of requirement (seek assistance from your supervisor). Failure to comply with requirement will result in immediate termination.