Youth Development Professional - Middle School

Title: Youth Development Professional - Middle School (YDP-M) 

Organization: Boys and Girls Clubs of San Leandro 

Location: School-based Site 

Department: Programming

Reports to: Program Manager

Direct Reports: None 

Exempt Status: Non-Exempt

Position Type: Part-Time, On-Site

Compensation: $20-$25/hour

Position Overview:

As a Youth Development Professional, you’ll create a safe, fun, and inclusive after-school environment where middle school youth can learn, grow, and build confidence. Through engaging activities and mentorship, you’ll support their academic success and social-emotional development.

This role directly contributes to Boys & Girls Clubs of San Leandro by fostering positive youth development and ensuring a high-quality after-school experience. What makes this role unique is the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, work with a diverse team, and make a lasting impact in a dynamic, supportive setting.

Our Values in Action:

1. Transformative Leadership: We aspire to transform possibilities into probabilities. By embodying emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and empathy, we foster positive change with humility, authenticity, and continuous self-improvement. What that looks like in this role: Supporting students and colleagues, embodying a team-first mindset. Adapting and remaining flexible, assisting at different sites and working with various age groups when necessary. Approaching every interaction with emotional intelligence and empathy, creating a safe and supportive space for youth.
2. Resilience: We approach every situation with a growth mindset, demonstrating flexibility and courage, reframing challenges as opportunities. We acknowledge our current state, embrace change, and adapt as needed, maintaining a solutions-oriented approach throughout our growth journey. What that looks like in this role: Demonstrating perseverance by showing up with commitment and energy, regardless of daily challenges. Maintaining a growth mindset, continuously seeking ways to improve programs and student experiences. Leading with optimism and problem-solving, approaching obstacles as opportunities to strengthen your skills and impact.
3. Youth Centered Approach: Every organizational action or maneuver is designed to directly impact and benefit the youth we serve. We value and prioritize the youth perspective, making decisions with a focus on their needs and well-being, rather than adult convenience. What that looks like in this role: Treating every day as a fresh start, offering mentorship and guidance with patience and understanding. Prioritizing youth voices by incorporating their ideas and feedback into programming. Advocating for and empower young people, ensuring their needs and well-being remain at the center of all decisions.

Essential Functions:

Safety & Supervision: Provide a safe, nurturing, and structured environment for all youth, ensuring their well-being throughout all activities.

Engaging Program Facilitation: Plan and lead fun, age-appropriate after-school programs for a group of about 20 students, fostering personal growth, academic success, and character development.

Lesson Planning & Classroom Management: Develop lesson plans that cater to diverse learning styles and interests while setting clear expectations and enforcing group agreements to promote positive behavior.

Daily Routine Oversight: Manage daily activities, including lessons, playtime, breaks, and mealtimes, ensuring smooth transitions and structured engagement.

Progress Tracking & Communication: Monitor student participation and progress, sharing updates with team members and the Program Manager to enhance program effectiveness.

Classroom Organization & Preparedness: Maintain a clean, organized, and well-equipped classroom, ensuring an inviting and functional learning environment.

Mentorship & Relationship Building: Serve as a positive role model, fostering self-esteem, personal growth, and an inclusive environment where all youth feel valued and respected.

Team Collaboration & Support: Work closely with colleagues to achieve program goals, share best practices, and provide support to other program sites as needed.

BGCSL Core Competencies:

Description:

Commitment to Safety & Quality

Prioritizing the physical, emotional, and psychological safety of youth, staff, and the community while adhering to established quality standards.

In Action:

• Supervising youth at all times, ensuring a safe, structured, and supportive environment.
• Implementing safety protocols, emergency procedures, and behavior management techniques consistently.
• Proactively identifying and addressing potential safety concerns within the program space.

Accountability and Integrity

Maintaining high standards of ethical behavior, transparency, and responsibility in all actions and decisions. 

In Action:

• Acting as a reliable role model for youth, demonstrating honesty, respect, and professionalism.
• Taking responsibility for assigned tasks, program materials, and youth engagement activities.
• Communicating openly with supervisors about challenges or concerns, ensuring program integrity.

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Analyzing complex situations, identifying challenges, developing effective solutions, and implementing action plans that lead to positive outcomes.

In Action:

• Responding quickly and calmly to youth conflicts, de-escalating situations with empathy and clear guidance.
• Adjusting lesson plans or activities when unexpected challenges arise, ensuring continued engagement.
• Proactively identifying ways to improve programming based on youth needs and feedback.

Communication & Listening

Exhibiting clear, empathetic, and effective communication skills while actively listening to others to build trust and understanding.

In Action:

• Providing clear, concise directions to youth while fostering open discussions and participation.
• Actively listening to youth concerns and needs, responding with empathy and appropriate support.
• Keeping team members and supervisors informed about program updates, challenges, and successes.

Cultural Competency

Promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect for all communities served.

In Action:

• Creating an inclusive program environment where youth from all backgrounds feel valued and respected.
• Incorporating diverse perspectives and cultural awareness into lesson plans and discussions.
• Addressing bias or exclusionary behavior, ensuring all youth feel a sense of belonging.

Leadership 

Inspiring, guiding, and influencing individuals and teams to achieve a shared vision and organizational goals.

In Action:

• Encouraging youth leadership by assigning roles, fostering independence, and supporting peer mentorship.
• Leading program activities with enthusiasm, ensuring high engagement and participation.
• Mentoring new team members by modeling best practices and sharing insights on youth engagement.

Teamwork

Collaborating effectively with others, building positive relationships, and contributing to a shared goal.

In Action:

• Communicating effectively with colleagues to ensure smooth transitions between activities and responsibilities.
• Supporting fellow staff members by stepping in when assistance is needed.
• Contributing to a positive and collaborative work culture by fostering trust and mutual respect.

Financial Stewardship

Managing resources responsibly with an emphasis on sustainability and transparency.

In Action:

• Using program materials responsibly and ensuring supplies are well-maintained and stored properly.
• Maximizing available resources by repurposing materials creatively to support engaging activities.
• Reporting any lost or damaged materials promptly, ensuring accountability for program resources.

Results Orientation

Setting measurable goals, monitoring progress, and delivering high-impact outcomes aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities. 

In Action:

• Setting and tracking goals for student engagement and participation in daily activities.
• Reflecting on program outcomes and adapting strategies to improve youth experiences.
• Measuring youth progress and sharing insights with supervisors to enhance program effectiveness.

Change Management & Adaptability

Navigating, leading, and embracing change effectively while maintaining organizational stability and progress.

In Action:

• Adapting to last-minute schedule changes or program modifications with a positive attitude.
• Supporting students through transitions by maintaining consistency and reassurance.
• Seeking opportunities to improve personal skills and program quality through feedback and training.

Required:

• Must be at least 21 years old to work with middle school youth.
• No prior professional experience required—this is an entry-level role with hands-on training provided.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• High emotional intelligence and integrity.
• Ability to connect authentically with a diverse group of youth.
• Patience and the ability to work under pressure in emotionally charged situations.
• Genuine belief in the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Leandro and the responsibility of serving youth and the community.

Educational Requirements (Must have one of the following):

High school diploma + 48 college semester units (˜ 2 years college), OR

High school diploma + an Associate’s (or higher) degree, OR

High school diploma + a passing score on the district’s Paraeducator/Paraprofessional Exam within the first 30 days of employment.

Preferred:

• Multi-conversational language skills are a huge plus (Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog).
• Experience, education, or coursework in Childhood Development, Education, or related fields.
• Prior experience working in youth programs, education, or nonprofit settings.

Work Environment:

The Youth Development Professional (YDP) - Middle School will work primarily in a school-based site at the Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro. This role may occasionally require flexibility to accommodate organizational events or deadlines. Key aspects of the work environment include:

• Frequently required to stand
• Frequently required to walk
• Occasionally required to sit
• Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Frequently required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Continually required to talk or hear
• Rarely work in high, precarious places (playground equipment height)
• Occasionally exposure to outside weather conditions
• Occasionally exposure to bloodborne and airborne pathogens or infectious materials (Communicable diseases in an office environment including COVID-19, common cold, and flu viruses. Negative TB screen required).
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50-70 pounds (with support, a child that has fallen)
• Specialized equipment: Walkie Talkie radios for communication

The Boys and Girls Clubs of San Leandro is committed to diversity and inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, disability, sex, age, ethnic or national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or presentation, pregnancy, genetics, veteran status or any other status protected by state or federal law. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

The above description is intended to describe the general content and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time, nor does it change your status as an at-will employee. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.