A Career with a Cause:

At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. We focus our work in three key areas, youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. We are committed to this cause because a strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. 

General Functions:

Under the direction of the LEAPS Program Director, the LEAPS Instructor will plan, organize and lead a classroom dedicated to academic instruction or to an arts/enrichment discipline. Employment is contingent upon the incumbent clearing all NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) licensing requirements; these requirements include fingerprinting, background screening and clearance on the State Central Register (SCR) and Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCL) within the first 30-days of employment. Prior to being assigned to their position, the incumbent is required to complete an initial medical statement and tuberculin test. If the incumbent previously worked in a Child/Day Care setting, a prior medical statement and tuberculin test may be accepted if dated within 12-months preceding the date of the application. 

Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks:

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to the following: 

· Plan, organize, and lead all daily program activities. Lesson plans must be completed regularly and made available to substitute staff. 

· Familiarize oneself with the YMCA School Age Child Care objectives and curriculum and consider these objectives throughout the planning and leading of all activities. 

· Observe and follow the YMCA School Age Child Care program guidelines as well as the regulations set forth by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. 

· Report to the program ready to work at designated times and prepared to stay until all of the children have left and space is thoroughly cleaned. 

· Provide a safe, healthy, moral, and fun environment for all children. Assist with behavior management of program participants using positive techniques of guidance, redirection, reinforcement, and encouragement of age appropriate expectations. Set up guidelines and environments that minimize the need for discipline and provide steps towards progressive discipline as needed. 

· Provide a positive role model for the children in the program. This includes actions, speech, and attire of all staff. 

· Foster within the program participants the growth of the four YMCA character values of respect, responsibility, caring, and honesty. To also foster the growth of skills in team-building, good sportsmanship, friendship, and pride in doing one’s best. 

· Assist with supervision of snack, where assigned. 

· Complete incident reports for all injuries, accidents or illnesses requiring first aid. To discuss these incidents with parents, obtain a parent signature on the form and follow up on injury. Turn all incident reports in to the Director within 48 hours. 

· Assist with maintaining records of daily and weekly attendance. 

· Assist with the responsibility of completing and maintaining all participant files, as assigned. 

· Follow the Syracuse City School District's Code of Conduct at all times. 

· Conduct and maintain records of monthly fire drills, shelter in place drills and daily health checks as 

required by OCFS. 

· Supervise Teaching Assistant, if assigned. 

· Maintain a positive, open relationship with all staff, parents, and program participants. Any issues/concerns should 

be reported to the Director. Attend all scheduled staff meetings and trainings/workshops. 

· Hand in completed time sheets on a bi-weekly basis.

· All other responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Experience and Education:

· Substantial experience working with children under 13 years of age. 

· A college degree related to the position’s related art field, or a similar degree of demonstrable professional experience in the appropriate arts genre (performance, teaching, exhibitions, etc.). 

Qualifications:

· Excellent organizational and communications skills both verbal and written are essential to the success of this position. 

· Brings to this position maturity, responsibility and a sincere interest in working with people.

 · Possess a general knowledge and understanding of YMCA, its goals, and its mission. 

· Possess knowledge of various resources for programming ideas and the skills to utilize that information in program implementation. 

· Possess knowledge of age appropriate activities and expectations of children ages 5 to 12. 

NYS Office of Children and Family Services Requirements:

· Prior to assignment to initial position, the incumbent will: 

? Complete an initial medical statement and tuberculin test providing satisfactory evidence that they are physically fit to provide child day care. 

· Within the first 30-days of employment, the incumbent will: 

? Undergo fingerprint and background screening as mandated by the NYS OCFS. 

? Obtain clearance on the State Central Register (SCR) and Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCL). 

Trainings & Certifications:

· Must complete online Bloodborne Pathogens and Employee Safety trainings prior to initial assignment to position. 

· Must hold CPR, AED, and 02 (First Aid may be required at some programs) certifications or successfully complete no later than 30-days after employment begins 

· Must attend and complete YMCA Child Abuse Prevention within the first 60-days of employment. 

· Must complete online Hazard Communication training within the first 90-days of employment. 

· Must attend and complete New Employee Orientation within the first 90-days of employment. 

· Must hold Medication Administration Certification or successfully complete no later than 90 days after employment begins. 

· Be responsible for completing a minimum of 30 hours of training every 2 years with the first 15 hours being received within the first 6 months of employment as required by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (training sessions will be held monthly, online and/or during monthly staff meetings). 

Core Competencies:

· Supports the Mission, Vision and Direction of the YMCA: Understands and supports the mission of the YMCA; displays the YMCA values; displays flexibility and accepts changes; is willing to try new methods and make suggestions; shows a strong commitment to the YMCA; conveys enthusiasm for the YMCA and his/her work. 

· Builds Community: Understands and embraces the role of volunteers; helps members and participants make connections to others and to the YMCA; practices effective relationship-building techniques; supports the role of fund-raising in achieving the YMCA mission. 

· Provides a Quality Experience for Members, Participants, Internal Customer and Other: Possesses the ability to deliver outstanding experiences for members, participants, internal customers and others; builds warm and supportive relationships; consistently greets and assists everyone in a positive way; strives to provide service that will exceed expectations; responds to concerns and complaints in a way that makes each person feel valued; initiates action for prompt resolution; looks for better ways to serve in involve members, participants, internal customers and others. 

· Works Productively: Demonstrates responsible actions; consistently performs duties in a safe and conscientious manner within the agreed upon timeframe; follows standards, policies and procedures; is reliable and consistently punctual; actively participates in staff meetings, required trainings, and other work related activities; uses good judgment; uses YMCA resources appropriately and efficiently. 

· Uses Effective Personal Behaviors/Communicates Effectively: Treats everyone with courtesy, respect and consideration; displays integrity; listens actively and genuinely; communicates in a clear and pleasant manner; embraces differences among people; demonstrates an active willingness to learn and grow; accepts constructive criticism; works cooperatively as a team member. 

Effect on End Results:

This position strongly impacts the effectiveness with which the YMCA accomplishes its mission. Our LEAPS Program Instructors are committed to promote and environment that builds skills, teaches values, is healthy, safe and provides an opportunity for positive growing experiences. 

Physical Demands:

Ability to frequently stand, sit, walk, talk, hear, type, run, jump, kick, catch, throw, climb, kneel, bend, reach, balance, crouch or crawl, climb and/or balance, reach with hands and arms, handle or feel, stoop, lift/move and carry approximately 35 pounds, and use hands and fingers. Must be able to lift and/or maneuver large gym equipment. Special vision abilities required: distance, peripheral, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment:

Duties are performed in a school environment; at times childcare employees may be exposed to undesirable working conditions, communicable infectious diseases, and the risk of injury from children. All childcare employees are required to follow the preventive health policies of the program at all times. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to above average. 

Americans with Disabilities Specifications:

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.