Youth Development Professional (Grades K-12)

Must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma or equivalent.

This is for our Portage St. Unit, Summer hours will be 12:45-5:15pm, Monday-Friday. School year hours, starting 8/31/26, are 2:30-7:15pm, Monday-Friday with some earlier shifts depending on school schedule.

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible for creating a fun, engaging, and positive Club experience for Club members while embracing the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo (BGC). This includes teaching Social Emotional Learning skills, providing quality youth development, building positive relationships, planning and implementing high-yield activities, upholding member behavior expectations, and maintaining a safe and supportive environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be welcoming and provide youth with a fun, high-energy experience with positive engagement. Help set and maintain a culture of fun that is infused with everything we do.
• Plan and facilitate a variety of age-appropriate High-Yield Activities that provide youth with social emotional and educational skill development. This also may include facilitating special programs and/or events.
• Help with reaching Unit goals around youth development quality and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) by assessing Club members’ social-emotional behaviors with Hello Insight. Provide opportunities and activities that strengthen SEL need areas.
• Have a working understanding of Club activities, programs, intake, and outcome-driven youth development methods.
• Be cross trained in all Unit positions to fill in as needed at all units and participate with training and onboarding new hires.
• Work closely with programmers to deliver high-quality targeted programs.
• Ensure a healthy, productive environment that supports positive peer and adult relationships through physical and emotional safety.
• Set clear expectations and model to youth what you want to see from them.
• Enforce Club Managing Member Behavior Policy, which includes Positive Behavior Support, Anti Bullying and Trauma-Informed Care protocols as well as using reframing conflict and de-escalating tools.
• Input membership forms and track member attendance in MyClubHub database.
• Practice National Youth Outcome Initiatives (NYOI) and Weikart methods as well as participate in the Youth Program Quality Intervention (YPQI) and Assessment (YPQA) process to plan and improve overall program practices.
• Maintain the organization and cleanliness of the Club space, which includes completing a closing checklist at the end of the day, as well as maintenance and inventory of Club materials and supplies.
• Assist Unit Manager with distribution and collection of information to members, including field trip permission forms, special event announcements, notifications of Club closings, and targeted programs. Ensure that all members have equal access to this information.
• Create and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as instruction and training tools for the responsibilities of this job.
• Comply with mandated reporting policies.

Other

• Assist with planning and implementation of Club-wide special events, including fundraisers as requested as well as outreach opportunities.
• Attend all required staff meetings and/or trainings.
• Must wear a Boys & Girls Club staff uniform during working hours. Dress in a professional manner conducive to working with youth in a recreational program and at special events.
• Review and familiarize oneself with the Boys & Girls Club Safety Policies and Crisis Management Plan. Respond to crisis situations in accordance with the outlined plan.
• Display professional behavior in alignment with the Boys & Girls Club Personnel Policy and Standards of Conduct.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 1 year of experience in a Boys & Girls Club or similar youth development organization with experience working with diverse populations.
• Experience creating and implementing educational and recreational activities that are creative, fun, engaging, and inclusive.

Skills, Knowledge, and other Competencies

• Ability to effectively interact with members, including addressing discipline problems in age appropriate and non-punitive ways.
• Enthusiastic about working with and engaging youth.
• Experience in facilitating small groups with all ages. Ability to plan and execute a wide range of programs for youth of all ages that are creative, fun, and engaging.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Continuing required training as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team and promote a team culture.
• Demonstrated ability in working with youth, parents/guardians, and other staff.
• Ability to speak Spanish is a plus.

Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Operates devices which may include a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a telephone, calculator, copy machine, scanner, and printer.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 25% of the time, along with regular standing, walking, bending, and carrying objects.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move objects up to 30 pounds at one time.
• Frequently communicates with team members who have questions and must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.