Job Title: Evening Child Watch Staff

Status: Part-Time

Hours: 4:15 pm -8:00 pm. Monday-Friday

Wage: $12.88+/hour DOE

Reports to: Associate Director of Family Services

Revision Date: 02/2026

Probation: subject to Montana 12-month introductory (probationary) period

POSITION SUMMARY: 

YMCA Child Watch Staff are responsible for leading developmentally appropriate activities for the YMCA’s Child Watch participants. Staff are responsible for the well being, health, and safety of all children under their care, as well as providing exemplary member service to families utilizing the Child Watch. Staff must be comfortable working with children ages 0-12; co-workers; and communicating clearly with member families and supervisors. Y staff are viewed as healthy role models in the YMCA and in the community, and should always model the Y core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. Staff must be able to thrive in an environment with the unique challenges of a non-profit and community service organization, and have the flexibility to work in a constantly changing environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• As a Child Watch employee:
  • First and foremost – responsible for the health and safety of the children in the program
  • Embrace your role as a positive role model: Leading intentional activities; actively engaging with children and modeling YMCA core values; managing child behaviors proactively with consistent expectations and positive redirection; knowing the names of parents and children, building genuine relationships and making yourself known and available to them.
  • Follow YMCA practices and procedures: checking participants in/out; documenting behaviors and incidents; knowing, educating, and enforcing rules and policies to participants and parents; providing care to infants including feeding and cleaning, changing diapers and sanitizing the changing area.
• As a YMCA employee: Attend staff trainings and meetings; know and follow schedule; accurately complete time-keeping; communicate effectively with your supervisor, participants and their families, and the YMCA Welcome Center; maintain the safety and cleanliness of Y facilities.
• Complete required child abuse training, comply with legal and ethical obligation as a mandatory reporter of suspected child abuse and cooperate fully with any investigation of such abuse.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Preferred – High school diploma or equivalent
• Preferred – Secondary education classes focused on Elementary Education or a related field
• Required – Minimum one year of high school attendance
• Required – Certification in CPR, First Aid, Child Abuse Training – can be obtained at the YMCA

Experience

• Preferred – Prior experience working in child care setting or other YMCA departments

Required – Satisfactory background check required to be eligible to work with children  

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to meet minimum requirements and perform functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Must be able to communicate clearly to all children, parents, members, and company personnel
• Ability to attend all trainings and meetings as required even if scheduled outside normal working or regular scheduled hours
• Wear a staff shirt and name tag daily, present a clean, well-groomed appearance
• Ability to walk, stand, and sit (including on the floor) for long periods of time
• Exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids
• Occasionally must be able to lift and carry supplies and equipment weighing up to 75 pounds
• Frequently may require bending, leaning, kneeling, lifting and walking

YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

• Mission Advancement:  Adheres to the Mission of the Missoula YMCA at all times and implements the Y Core Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility into the Child Watch.
• Collaboration:  Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others.  Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning. Takes initiative to assist in developing others. 
• Operational Effectiveness:  Makes sound judgments and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work, and actively participates in meetings. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.

This job description is not to be used as the only reference for the position.  It is to be used as a base guideline for defining ones role. Position requirements and responsibilities are constantly evolving and changing. Performance reviews and regular discussions will outline further expectations and goals of the position. My signature indicates that I have received a copy of this job description, understand what the YMCA’s requirements and positions expectations, and meet the QUALIFICATIONS, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES LISTED.