Be a part of our mission.

The mission of the YMCA of Metro Chicago is to develop strong children, families and communities across Metropolitan Chicago through academic readiness, character development, violence prevention, fitness and healthy living. We rely on the expertise, passion, commitment and energy of our instructors and other team members to help us achieve our mission one child, one family, and one team member at a time.  

Our before and after-school programs create a child-centered environment that promotes learning, character development, healthy living and positive, nurturing relationships. With a commitment to meeting accreditation standards and extensive training and development in research-based practices, you’ll also learn and grow and positively impact our children, families and communities.

Job Summary:

The Youth Enrichment Instructor is responsible for implementing and adapting a wide variety of enrichment activities for grades K-8 in a before or after-school program setting. The Youth Enrichment Instructor plays a key role in ensuring that program participants have a safe, supportive, interactive and enriching program experience while ensuring the safety and security of all program participants.

Scope of Responsibilities:

• Creates a safe, supportive, interactive, and engaging environment for youth that is characterized by teamwork, camaraderie and inclusiveness for all children. This includes demonstrating an appreciation of children’s efforts and accomplishments and providing assistance and encouragement to program participants when needed.
• Provides effective supervision of all children that is age-appropriate, considers diverse abilities and interests and meets program quality, safety and policy requirements.
• Positively interacts with children, parents/guardians and other team members to create a respectful, warm, supportive environment. Models self-control, respect and cooperation to children and other team members. Utilizes youth arrival/departure to share information with parents/guardians and build relationships.  
• Prepares daily lesson plans outlining program activities, prepares equipment and ensures that materials and supplies are available and ready for all daily program activities. Ensures all program areas and supplies are clean and well maintained regularly.
• Maintains accurate attendance, instructional and other records as necessary to meet program requirements.
• Participates in team meetings and other school-age program activities as needed.
• Support the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:
• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor.
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children.
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor.
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required.

Requirements:

19 years of age and 5 years older than the oldest child with whom they work. 

Working towards an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree with 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of credits from an accredited college or university with 6 semester or 9 quarter hours in courses related directly to child care and or child development, elementary education, physical education, recreation, camping or related fields.

OR

Working towards an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree with 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of credit from an accredited college or university related to school age child care, child development or related field with and has 1560 clock hours of experience in a recreational program, kindergarten, licensed day care center serving school-age children or a license exempt school age child care program operated by a public or private school or other eligible agency. 

OR

High school diploma or equivalency certificate plus 3120 clock hours of experience in a recreational program, kindergarten, or licensed day care center serving school age children or a license exempt school age child care program operated by a public or private school or eligible agency.