Child Watch Staff

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Member Services Director and in accordance with the Christian principles of the YMCA, the Child Watch staff will provide supervision to children at the Niebur and/or Meyer Center child watch room. Staff members will establish and maintain supportive relationships with the children and parents and provide a quality experience to children and parents that focus on the YMCA values: honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring. 

OUR CULTURE:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are WELCOMING: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are GENUINE: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are HOPEFUL: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are DETERMINED: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Maintain a professional, respectful, positive attitude towards employees, members, and participants in YMCA programs.
2. Exemplify the core mission values of the YMCA while performing all duties
3. Complete required YMCA training according to the Edwardsville YMCA employee policy
4. Use positive discipline and guidance techniques.
5. Provide an environment in which children can feel comfortable, relaxed, happy, and involved in play, recreation, and other activities.
6. Arrive on time for each assigned shift.
7. Give full focus to the children, free of distractions such as cell phones and personal issues.
8. Update the Member Services Director on any important developments regarding the child or parent of a child in their room.
9. Supervises the children, classroom, and all activities.
10. Must be available to work during drop-in child care hours, 8:30-12:30 & 4:30-8:30, Monday-Thursday, 8:30-12:30 Fri Sat Sun. 
11. Other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Leader):

Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Y’s values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fund-raising.

Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance, and support.

Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through the engagement of the team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress.

Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change; models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Previous experience working with children.
2. Display superior relationship-building skills and communicate effectively with a diverse group of employees, volunteers, children, and parents.
3. First Aid and CPR certifications
4. Favorable criminal background check
5. Complete required YMCA training according to Edwardsville YMCA employee policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Sufficient mobility to plan, lead and participate in activities, and perform additional duties of the position.
• Must have visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to respond swiftly in an emergency situation.
• Work will be performed indoors and outdoors and may require occasional travel.
• Must be able to coordinate a variety of large and small tasks simultaneously and handle tension and stress in a positive manner