Job Opportunities at YMCA Kenya

Position Summary
This position provides direct supervision of a group of children in licensed Before and Afterschool Enrichment or Early Learning program. Assistant Teachers create positive, nurturing relationships with children, while building cooperative relationships with parents/caregivers. Promotes and supports the potential of all youth in programs and facilitates peer-to-peer connections as part of the overall child experience.
Essential Functions
Child/ Youth Growth & Development

• Identifies and responds to individual differences in personalities, temperaments, development, learning styles, and culture.
• Promotes growth and development using appropriate services and resourcesLearning Environments & Curriculum
• Supports developmentally appropriate learning environments and curriculum implementation
• Provides an engaging, physically and emotionally safe, and inclusive environment to encourage play, exploration, and learning
• Provides a safe learning environment where all children and youth can explore and develop cognitive, social, emotional, and physical motor skills.
• Guides children and youth in expressing their feelings and asserting themselves in socially acceptable ways.
• Helps children and youth communicate and get along with others in a safe and inclusive environment
• Support the diverse needs, abilities and interests of all participants

Observation & Assessment

• Identifies children and youth as individuals and acknowledges that individuals develop at their own pace.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding observation and assessment information.
• Assists with the collection of information about growth, development, and learning.

Interactions with Youth

• Provides a supportive environment in which children and youth can learn and practice appropriate and acceptable behaviors.
• Provides individual guidance and support using appropriate methods, services, and resources.

Youth Engagement

• Supports active participation of children and youth in the program.
• Develops relationships with children and youth while respecting cultural and ability differences in participation style.
• Foster critical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, and goal-setting skills
• Maintains appropriate emotional and physical boundaries between children, youth, and adults.
• Values cultural differences in children, youth, and families

Family Engagement

• Communicates respectfully and positively with families from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Develops and maintains open, friendly, cooperative, and respectful relationships with families.
• Contributes to positive relationships between school and the afterschool program.

Safety & Wellness

• Follows all health and safety regulations and policies.
• Identifies, documents, and reports suspected child abuse and neglect as mandated by law.
• Responds calmly and effectively to a crisis.
• Recognizes and maintains safe indoor and outdoor areas.
• Supports the nutritional needs and healthy eating practices of children and youth.
• Models healthy lifestyle practices.

Program planning

• Supports and implements the program’s weekly lesson plans.

Professional Development and Leadership

• Promotes professionalism using appropriate skills, services, and resources.
• Improves teaching and learning through professional work habits.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Education

• High school Dipolma or GED required

Experience

• 1 year of experience working with children in a licensed child care center preferred.
• PREVIOUS experience working with diverse populations preferred.

Certification(s) And Requirements

• CPR and First Aid certification and Safety training required within 30 days of hire.
• At least 18 years old.

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Essential Functions

• Maintains active surveillance of the pool area.
• Knows/reviews all emergency procedures and responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with YMCA policies, procedures, and the “safe-in-six” model. Completes related reports as required.
• Maintains effective, positive relationships with the members, participants and other staff.
• Knows, understands, and consistently applies safety rules, policies and guidelines for the pool and aquatic area. Maintains accurate records as required by the YMCA and/or the state Health Department code.
• Performs equipment checks and ensures appropriate equipment is available as needed.
• Checks the pool for hazardous conditions when arriving.
• Performs chemical testing when not guarding, as required, and takes appropriate action.
• Attends all staff meetings and in-service training.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Leader)

• Values - Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values.
• Decision Making - Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another.
• Quality Results - Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
• Self-Development - Pursues self-development that enhances job performance.

Qualifications

• Minimum age of 16.
• Certifications: YMCA Lifeguard, ASHI Basic Life Support (ASHI CPR Pro), Basic First Aid and Emergency Oxygen.
• Ability to maintain certification-level of physical and mental readiness.
• Must demonstrate lifeguard skills in accordance with YMCA standards.

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Afterschool Requirements

• Report staff or child accident/incidents or suspected child abuse or injury to the Site Director as soon as possible, and follow policy/procedure following each occurrence.
• Attend all scheduled staff meetings, trainings, and any other meetings deemed necessary by the Site Director.
• Assist with drills to practice site-evacuation/emergency procedures for fire, chemical spill, tornado, etc., and is capable of implementing such procedures.
• Has the ability to work alone and with a team.
• Open to learning, coaching and supervision.
• Will lead children in group activities, especially recreational activities.
• Has a fundamental appreciation and understanding of group management and child development.
• Is creative, has a sense of humor, patience, conviction, genuineness, enthusiasm, initiative, self-control, flexibility, ability to learn, integrity, and ingenuity.
• Available daily from dismissal of school to 6:30pm Monday through Friday
• Minimum age: 18 years of age; Education: High School Degree/ G.E.D. or higher
• Complete of an 8-hour Pre-service orientation in components outlined by The Department of Health and Human Services or have 6 months’ previous experience in a licensed childcare center.
• Complete First Aid, CPR, Sexual Harassment, and Child Abuse Prevention within the first 30 days and any additional training requested of supervisor.
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds and carry for a distance of at least 40 yards.
• Auditory and/or visual awareness of each child's ongoing activity as appropriate

YMCA Childcare Perks/Benefits
The YMCA truly cares about its employees, is a great place to help build your resume, every day is different, you can make an impact and enjoy many perks of working at the Y!

• NO WEEKEND WORK SCHEDULE (seasonal paid trainings will be announced in advance)
• FREE Y Membership/Discounts on Y programs (sports/childcare/personal training)
• Opportunity to earn Paid Time Off
• Peer Mentoring opportunities
• Paid CPR certification and fingerprinting
• 403b Retirement Option
• Opportunities for Professional development and childcare certifications
• Career Advancement Opportunities