Residential Children's Activities Specialist

Purpose:  

The purpose of the Child Activities Specialist is to provide trauma-informed and trauma-responsive programming, activities, parenting education, and family-centered support to children. This role promotes safety, healing, resilience, healthy development, and positive family.

Typical Working hours:

Full-time, salaried position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Child Activities Specialist must work one weekend per month, with flexibility to the regular schedule to accommodate programming and residential needs.  Participates in coverage on–call rotation.

Expectations of every YWCA Staff Member: 

• Uphold and promote the YWCA Mission. 
• Maintain compliance with state standards.
• Adhere to established policies and procedures.
• Contribute to fund development efforts for support of all programs and the overall Association. 
• Provide support to other departments and staff.

Essential Duties:

• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate trauma-informed and age-appropriate activities for children and families residing in Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, and Addiction Recovery residential programs. 
• Create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where children can participate in activities that promote healing, resilience, social-emotional development, creativity, and healthy relationships. 
• Develop and maintain a consistent schedule of children’s activities, groups, and family-centered programming. 
• Plan and facilitate parenting classes and parent-child activities designed to strengthen parenting skills, communication, family relationships, and positive interactions. 
• Incorporate Two-Generation (2Gen) programming that engages both parents/caregivers and children in activities that support the well-being of the entire family. 
• Coordinate with community partners, volunteers, interns, and local organizations to provide educational, recreational, cultural, and enrichment opportunities for children and families. 
• Develop and coordinate summer programming, including structured activities, field trips, educational opportunities, recreation, and special events. 
• Coordinate seasonal and holiday activities, celebrations, family events, and special programming throughout the year. 
• Plan and coordinate community outings and field trips, including scheduling, permission forms, transportation arrangements, supplies, and other necessary preparations. 
• Work collaboratively with the Residential Children’s Case Manager and other Residential Services staff to identify programming that addresses the needs of children and families while in shelter. 
• Support children experiencing behavioral or emotional challenges by utilizing trauma-informed, trauma-responsive, de-escalation, and conflict-resolution approaches. 
• Assist parents and caregivers with developing positive parenting strategies and identifying opportunities to engage meaningfully with their children. 
• Maintain and collect accurate documentation of activities, attendance, participation, services provided, community partnerships, and program outcomes. 
• Maintain activity calendars and communicate upcoming programs, groups, outings, and special events to residents and staff. 
• Purchase, organize, and maintain children’s programming supplies, games, educational materials, and activity equipment within the established budget. 
• Participate in Residential Services and Children’s Services staff meetings, trainings, supervision, and professional development as required. 
• Maintain knowledge of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma-informed care, child development, domestic violence, sexual violence, substance use/recovery, and their potential impact on children and families. 
• Follow all organizational policies related to confidentiality, mandated reporting, child safety, professional boundaries, and resident safety. 
• Work collaboratively with staff across Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, and Addiction Recovery programs to ensure coordinated services for children and families. 
• Be available to work one weekend per month to provide and support children’s and family programming. 
• Participate in the Residential Services Coverage on-call rotation as scheduled 
• Transport children and families in agency vehicles for approved activities and outings, as needed and in accordance with agency requirements. 

Education:

• Bachelor's in Social Work, Human Services, or related field, or equivalent education and experience.
• CPR and First Aid Certifications within the first year of employment.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Knowledge of trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care when working with children, youth, and families impacted by Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, and Addiction Recovery. 
• Knowledge of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the impact trauma may have on a child’s behavior, development, emotional well-being, relationships, and ability to cope. 
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development and the ability to provide age-appropriate programming for preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school youth. 
• Experience planning, coordinating, and facilitating children’s activities, groups, recreational programming, and family-centered activities. 
• Experience developing summer programming, school-break activities, seasonal programming, holiday events, field trips, and community outings. 
• Experience facilitating or assisting with parenting classes and parent-child activities focused on positive parenting, healthy communication, family relationships, and parent-child engagement. 
• Knowledge of positive parenting practices and the ability to support parents and caregivers in developing healthy interactions with their children. 
• Knowledge and experience utilizing de-escalation, conflict resolution, and trauma-responsive techniques when supporting children experiencing behavioral or emotional challenges. 
• Experience coordinating with community partners, schools, and enrichment opportunities. 
• Strong communication, relationship-building, teamwork, organization, and problem-solving skills. 
• Knowledge of professional boundaries, confidentiality, mandated reporting, child safety, and resident safety practices. 
• Experience maintaining accurate program documentation, including attendance, participation, activities, services, community partnerships, and program outcomes. 
• Experience with data collection and outcome tracking for program evaluation, grant reporting, and Two-Generation programming. 
• Ability to plan and coordinate field trips and community activities, including scheduling, permission forms, transportation, supplies, and other logistics. 
• Experience completing and maintaining attendance records, activity logs, incident reports, service documentation, and program data for tracking and reporting purposes.

Physical/Mental Essential Requirements:

• Walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, moderate lifting and carrying (up to thirty (30) pounds).  
• Full range of body motion including manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination. 
• Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.
• Must drive personal vehicle frequently throughout 6-county service area.   
• Ability to sit at a computer work station for extended periods of time.  
• Occasional need to stand for long periods of time.  
• Ability to focus on detail and accuracy of work product.  
• Work is performed primarily in a non-smoking office environment combined with remote/community-based work, though travel may expose employee to inclement weather conditions. 
• Occasional high stress may be experienced in dealing with clients, staff and volunteers.

The statements within this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel in this position.