YD Broward, Counselor, Special Needs, 26-27 School Year

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Site Supervisor, the Special Needs Counselor is responsible for the overall day-to-day group programming, behavior management, and direct supervision of a group of children in a licensed child care/day camp facility.

Essential Functions / Job Duties:

• Supervise and implement activities for a group of children in accordance to both age and developmentally appropriate practices as outlined by licensing agency, State of Florida and the YMCA of South Florida mission.


• Conduct and maintain any necessary measurable tools to track children’s progress.


• Distribute nutritious snacks on a daily basis using universal health/sanitation practices.


• Maintain coordination with facility personnel for safety and benefit of children in the program.


• Document behavior issues and/or incidents daily, as needed.


• Conduct a health check of each child daily, noting fever, bumps, bruises, burns, or other questionable signs of abuse and document the incident with the Site Supervisor.


• Maintain high level of professional courtesy with parents, facility personnel, staff and clients at all times.


• Know and follow proper emergency procedures appropriate to the facility and in conformity with procedures adopted by the YMCA of South Florida and emergency service authorities to ensure the safety of children.


• Preserve the quality of supplies, equipment and materials. Ensuring proper supply by reporting re-order needs to the Site Supervisor.


• Provide regular inspections of areas used by the program to ensure both cleanliness and safety.


• Check bathrooms for supplies and basic cleanliness before allowing participants to enter.


• Document all necessary administrative forms as directed by Site Supervisor and/or Program Manager.


• Attendance at all staff meetings and training opportunities.


• Report all incidents and accidents within 24 hours to the corporate office.


• Adhere to the Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting requirements that 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 Managers.


• Ensure that the proper staffs to child ratios are maintained at all times and reports discrepancies to the Site Supervisor as needed.


• Assist the Site Supervisor in any other appropriate ways as directed.

Time Management 

• Works 90% of schedule on the desk / Hands-on role 


• 50% - Focused on executing Association protocols and performance metrics; team performance; reduction in cancellations 


• 40% - Customer Service 


• 10% - Administrative duties (scheduling, payroll, etc.) 

Position Expectations 

Ensures the team meets/exceed sales, revenue targets, net unit growth every month.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (i.e. Leader, Team Leader, Multi-Team / Branch Leader):

Mission Advancement: Reinforces the Y’s values within the organization and the community. Effectively communicates the benefits and impact of the YMCA’s efforts for all stakeholders. Implements effective systems to develop volunteers at program and fundraising leadership levels.

Collaboration: Develops strategies to ensure staff and volunteers reflect the community. Builds and nurtures strategic relationships to enhance support for the YMCA. Communicates for influence to attain buy-in and support of goals. Provides tools and resources for the development of others.

Operational Effectiveness: Integrates multiple thinking processes to make decisions. Involves members and community in the development of programs and activities. Ensures execution of plans. Institutes sound accounting procedures and financial controls. Assigns clear accountability and ensures continuous improvement.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities / Position Requirements:

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent.


• Minimum Two (2) years’ experience including One (1) year experience of direct contact with children with special needs.


• Ability to relate to children.


• The Counselor I must be at least eighteen (18) years-old at the time of hire.


• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing.


• Must have a demonstrated competency in the planning and implementation of recreational and educational activities.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Within one (1) year of employment the Counselor must have completed and hold certificates in the following:


• The Thirty (30) Hour Training Requirement consisting of (a) Child Growth and Development, (b) Health, Safety and Nutrition, (c) Child Care Facility State and Local Rules and Regulations, (d) Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect, and (e) Behavior Observation and Screening.


• The Ten (10) Hour Developmentally Appropriate Module (Preferred- School Age Appropriate Practices).


• Current CPR and First Aid certificates by time of employment or within ninety (90) days from the date of hire.

It is the responsibility of the Counselor to complete and maintain all necessary certifications within the proper time frame, as set forth by either the licensing agency, State of Florida or the YMCA of South Florida and to maintain all necessary certifications, within the proper time frame, as set forth by either the licensing agency, State of Florida or the YMCA of South Florida

Position Profile

•   Innate desire to provide excellent customer service.

•   Outgoing personality enjoys speaking to people.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essentials functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.


• Indoor and outdoor facilities (e.g. childcare and recreational sites); exposure to heat, cold, work on slippery or uneven surfaces.


• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands:

• Significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity.


• Generally, the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing. The job is performed in a generally hazard free environment.


• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.


• The employee must occasionally lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Employment at the YMCA is at-will. It is purely voluntary, based upon the consent of both the Association and the staff member. No expressed or implied contractual rights should be inferred from this job description.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to submit to and satisfactorily clear a thorough Level II fingerprint background screening.

 As a Drug-Free Employer, all new hires must successfully complete a drug test. Please note Medical Marijuana cards are not accepted and do not exempt you from successfully passing your drug test.

 The YMCA of South Florida is committed to the policy of Equal Opportunity prohibiting discrimination in the workplace because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, political affiliation, age or disability.

 In accordance with House Bill 531 (2025) the Department of Children and Families require employers to make the “Care Provider Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness” website link: https://info.flclearinghouse.com available to all potential candidates receiving a background check via the Clearinghouse.