YReads After School Youth Specialist

Job Title: YReads After School Youth Specialist

Company: YMCA of the Suncoast

About the Role

The YReads! Program is an initiative for kindergarten through fifth-grade students, focusing on literacy and mentoring. As a tutor, you will assist the program coordinator to ensure program goals and procedures are met. The Youth Development Specialist oversees the engagement and development of children in YMCA programs, implementing activities to strengthen community bonds through positive interactions.

Key Responsibilities

• Assists in student supervision, maintains order, and positively reinforces "good choices."
• Assists students to and from the restroom.
• Assists the coordinator in picking up and dropping off students around the school.
• Oversees and ensures mandatory procedures are followed during student pick-up by parents or guardians.
• Maintains necessary paperwork: testing, volunteer and student sign-in/out logs.
• Teaches basic reading skills using lessons developed by the YREADS Coordinator and all curricula.
• Supervises a designated group of children to ensure their safety.
• Maintains accurate attendance records, monitors bathroom breaks and transitions, and verifies attendance.
• Communicates and documents children's absences, injuries, and incidents following YMCA policies.
• Utilizes positive reinforcement techniques for appropriate behavior; documents and addresses inappropriate behavior.
• Facilitates programming that supports academic growth and provides enrichment opportunities.
• Builds relationships and fosters a sense of belonging among children, parents, volunteers, staff, and school personnel.
• Ensures a nurturing and secure environment by reporting suspicious activities and maintaining organization of supplies, facility cleanliness, and equipment care.
• Promotes a welcoming environment for all members, demonstrating SMART behavior as a role model.
• Educates members about YMCA services and initiatives, connecting them with YMCA offerings.
• Supports YMCA strategic initiatives by:
• Promoting a culture of volunteerism.
• Encouraging philanthropy.
• Celebrating members' achievements in health and well-being goals.
• Promoting youth programs and services.
• Attends required abuse risk management training.
• Follows mandated abuse reporting requirements.
• Adheres to job-specific abuse risk management responsibilities.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Desire or interest in learning about literacy intervention.
• Compassion and empathy for struggling readers.
• Tutor experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working with children in an educational environment.
• Must be able to stand, remain outdoors, and maintain continual physical endurance for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds, watch, listen, and facilitate group activities.
• Must be mentally alert and able to process and follow directions.
• Must be able to supervise and instruct large groups of children.
• Knowledge of sports and children's programming preferred.

Qualifications

• Education: Must have a high school diploma, a certificate of completion, a GED, or be enrolled in and attending GED classes and successfully complete within two years of employment. May also be enrolled in and obtain their high school diploma within the school year they were employed.
• College degree in a child-related field is preferred.
• Work Experience:
• Experience working with children preferred.
• Certificates/Licenses:
• Must have or be enrolled in state-mandated trainings within 30 days of employment. Trainings must be complete within 12 months of employment.
• CPR/AED, First Aid, Lifeguard, and Listen First certification preferred.
• Onboarding Trainings:
• Upon hire: Intro to the Ys Cause & Culture, Y's Way to Service & Engagement, and I Hear You: Service with CARE.
• Within 90 days of hire: Principles of Youth Development.
• Within 6 months of hire: Introduction to S.A.F.E.
• Within 90 days of completing MODS: Preventing Sexual Abuse Between Youth, Children, Youth Affirmations: Distinguishing Between Praise and Encouragement, Foundations of Listen First, and Engaging with Families.