Family Programming Lead Attendant - Mary W. Sierra Family YMCA

Under the direction of the Program Director, the Family Programming Lead Attendant will nurture and develop children in the YMCA member Stay & Play, Youth Zone, and Parent's Night Out programs. This position is responsible for oversight of the Stay & Play program area during scheduled shifts, ensuring that the program adheres to all Y standards, policies, and procedures providing safe and enjoyable childcare for members and their children. Essential responsibilities include always maintaining visual and auditory supervision of children, assuming responsibility for the safety and well-being of each child under their supervision, providing engagement and direction to large groups of children varying in age and ability and exhibiting behaviors and attitudes that are consistent with the YMCA Mission and policies of the association.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as a leader for Family Programming Attendants by exhibiting exceptional member services to all
• Responsible for maintaining proper staff to child ratios
• Communicate in a professional and positive manner to children, parents, guests, and other associates
• Provide a safe and enjoyable environment for members and their children
• Greet every parent and child as they arrive and depart from the area and ensure that parents/guardians follow the sign in/sign out procedures for drop off and pick up according to Y policies/procedures
• Engage children by implementing curriculum, thematic discussions, arts and crafts activities, and best practices daily
• Initiate and supervise age-appropriate curriculum, games and activities
• Maintain a clean environment by disinfecting toys, wiping tables and chairs, wiping shelves, putting toys and equipment away properly, cleaning common areas, and wiping bathrooms and sinks down as necessary
• Maintain a safe environment by directly supervising children throughout the program areas - encouraging positive behaviors, knowing where each child is at all times and is never leaving a child unattended, maintaining the sign in/sign out process, identifying potential hazards in the area, and adhering to Y policies and standards
• Follow standards and policies as explained in the Family Programming Staff Handbook, the Parent Manual, and the Tampa YMCA Employee Handbook
• Collaborate with Program Director to ensure readiness for facility and quality audit processes
• Enforce all rules and make effective decisions to ensure the safety and security of program participants
• Ensure associates understand and consistently display engagement standards for the Stay & Play program area; and implement curriculum, thematic learning centers, arts and crafts activities, and best practices daily
• Ensure associates meet Y standards for maintaining a clean and safe environment in the Stay & Play, Youth Zone, and Parent's Night Out program areas by following Y policies and procedures as stated in the Family Programming Staff Handbook, the Parent Manual, and the Tampa YMCA Employee Handbook.
• During Parent's Night Out program, greet every parent and child as they arrive and depart from the area and ensure that parents/guardians follow the sign in/sign out procedures for drop off and pick up according to Y policies/procedure.
• Facilitate group games, activities, and arts and crafts during the Parent's Night Out program
• Perform general housekeeping tasks; maintains clean and safe area
• Apply YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and behavior management situations, child abuse prevention, and emergency procedures
• Attend staff meetings and training programs, as required
• Exhibit behaviors and attitudes consistent with the YMCA Mission and policies of the association
• Adhere to the Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting requirements, which mandate by law all childcare personnel to report suspicions of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The YMCA requires employees to follow the internal reporting procedures with the assistance of the Program Director and Quality and Risk Management Director.

Perform other duties as assigned

Safety and Risk Management

• Adhere to all Federal, State, and local safety regulations, as well as all YMCA policies and procedures related to the safety, health, and welfare of members, participants, guests, and staff.
• Ensure that all Tampa YMCA standards, leading practices, and policies are implemented and consistently followed, including those related to emergency procedures, child abuse prevention, and appropriate supervision.
• Maintain a safe and healthy environment at all times, including performing daily safety checks of program areas, equipment, and supplies.
• Supervises meals, snacks, restroom, and transition periods to promote a safe, orderly environment and encourage healthy habits.
• Conduct health checks on children for potential health concerns such as head lice, ringworm, or other communicable conditions, and reports immediately to the Program Director.
• Adhere to policies and procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising participants and boundaries with participants and their families.
• Ensure high-risk areas (e.g., restrooms, locker rooms, closets) are monitored and secured when not in use.
• Maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios and provides active, engaged supervision at all times.
• Follow established sign-in/sign-out procedures to ensure children are released only to authorized adults.
• Responds appropriately to behavioral and medical incidents, documenting and reporting as required.
• Adhere to risk management training requirements including child abuse prevention
• Support a safe, positive, and inclusive environment where children feel secure and respected
• Promptly report any suspicious or inappropriate behavior, as well as policy violations, following established association procedures.

Education/ Experience Required:

• Must have a minimum of one experience in school, community, volunteer or work experience in a role requiring interaction with youth
• Must demonstrate skills to effectively communicate with associates, supervisors, members, and participants in a positive forward-facing manner.
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• High School Diploma or GED preferred, but not necessary

Certifications/Trainings Required:

• Must obtain within 30 days of employment and maintain current certifications in CPR, First Aid, and AED
• Must complete required Family Programming trainings within first 30 days of employment
• Must successfully complete Level 2 fingerprinting
• Must successfully complete all Child Abuse Prevention Training as required upon hire and before working in program area
• Maintain and complete other required certifications as assigned

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND 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 include, but are not limited to:

• The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations.
• 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 authorized work phone/smart device.
• Ability to instruct and observe participants during program activities.
• The employee frequently is required to see, observe, and hear all participants, and make sound judgments and decisions.
• Ability to perform all physical aspects of the position, including, but not limited to, leading class, walking, standing, bending, reaching, and lifting.
• Ability to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
• Hear noises and distress signals in the program environment, including in the classroom and anywhere around the zone of responsibility.
• Must have flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to lift and move a minimum of 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments, specifically those subject to extreme humidity/dampness, heat and cold.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
• This position requires reliable transportation and willingness to travel, if needed.
• This position may require availability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.