Youth Development Specialist

Description

START DATE:  Thursday, August 7th, 2025

HOURS: M-F (days flexible); 2:00-6:00 PM

LOCATION: 18 locations throughout Knox County

Youth Development Specialist – Be a Hero After Class! 

Are you full of energy, love working with kids, and ready to make a real difference after the school bell rings? Join our team at the YMCA of East Tennessee as a Youth Development Specialist and help elementary-aged students grow, learn, and have a blast!

In this role, you'll be the ultimate role model—leading games, crafts, and activities that build confidence, spark creativity, and help kids make friends and memories. You'll create fun activities and games that promote social, physical, mental, and even a little spiritual growth (think teamwork, kindness, and positivity!).

This isn’t your typical job—every day is different, and your impact will last a lifetime. At the Y, we live by our core values: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. We’re looking for team players who can bring those to life while having fun and being a positive influence.

Ideal for college students who want to gain experience in education, recreation, or youth leadership—and have some serious fun while they’re at it.

Come be part of something meaningful. Be a mentor. Be a leader. Be the reason a kid smiles today.

CORE FUNCTIONS:

1. Assist Site Director with the teaching, curriculum planning, and supervision of students who are enrolled in the after school program.
2. Create appropriate relationships with students that allows for optimal development in the physical, cognitive, language, motor and social/emotional demands.
3. Implement weekly goals and metrics to support academic advancement.
4. Recognize potential issues in our program and apply problem solving techniques as needed.
5. Assist in the daily cleaning and maintenance of equipment, supplies and child care facility.
6. Collaborate with Site Director and other Y staff to create educational curriculum that is culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate and consistent with state regulations.
7. Follows Y policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention and emergencies.
8. Maintains a positive relationship with parents and other staff. Models relationship-building skills in all interactions.
9. Follows all Y rules, regulations, and procedures, including emergency and safety procedures. Completes incident and accident reports as necessary.
10. Uphold Judeo-Christian principles that are central to our mission by modeling behaviors that exemplify the Y's core values - Caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
11. Additional Core Functions may be required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

There are no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and /or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Must be 18 years of age and have a High School Diploma or GED. One year or more of college preferred. Previous experience working with children preferably in a day camp setting. Previous experience with diverse populations preferred. Be able to meet state requirements.

REASONING ABILITIY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or scheduled form.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s. Ability to perform operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume and distance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Frequently required to talk or hear. Occasionally required to stand, walk, sit and use hands and fingers. Employee may occasionally be required to lift 50 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of children or employees of the organization.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, COURSES

• Required DHS Training Courses; required to complete before starting work, provided by the Y.
• CPR/First Aid; required to complete and receive certification within 60 days of hire, provided by the Y.
• New Employee Orientation; required to complete prior to starting work. Provided by the Y.

Additional training, licenses, and courses may be required throughout employment.

The YMCA of East Tennessee is an equal opportunity employment employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.