Kids Play Team Member

Embark on an exciting adventure with our dynamic team as a Child Watch Team Member! Your role is essential in ensuring our members can fully focus on their fitness and wellness journey while their children engage in an exciting and enriching experience.

In this position, you'll lead engaging activities and implement a curriculum designed to nurture children's social, physical, spiritual, and mental growth. Your mission is to create a secure, positive, and exhilarating environment where children thrive.

If you're passionate about children's development and thrive in a dynamic team environment, we want you on our team. Join us and be part of an energetic team that helps kids grow while their guardians pursue their fitness and wellness goals. Apply today!

We are looking for part-time candidates who can work Monday through Friday 7:50 AM -1:00 PM and/or Monday - Thursday 4:20 PM - 8:00 PM. Position requires rotation of Saturday shift from 7:50 AM - 12:00 PM.

Pay Range: $15.00 - $16.00, DOE

Work Location: 5807 McNeil Drive, Austin, Texas 78729

How You Will Make an Impact (Essential Functions):

• Welcome members and their children by learning and using their names. Maintain a friendly and cooperative relationship with each child's family, and encourage their involvement in the program. Always prioritize building relationships and extend gratitude whenever appropriate.
• Provide activities and opportunities that encourage curiosity, exploration, and problem-solving, building self-esteem and learning how to share and properly interact with others in ways that are appropriate to the development levels of the children, (reinforcing positive behaviors and redirecting negative behaviors).
• Interact with the children in a way that conveys respect and nurturing and supports their social and emotional development.
• Play with the children; this will often mean getting down on the floor to interact with them at their eye level.
• Protect all children's health, safety, and welfare in the Child Watch area.
• Enforce all rules and policies of the YMCA equally with everyone.
• Never leave children unattended.
• Attend to the personal hygiene of each child in your care. (Washing their hands, wiping faces, etc.)
• Maintain a safe environment based on safety standards set by the program.
• Always keep a positive attitude; never convey personal frustration to members or their children.
• Assist in the cleaning and straightening of the childcare rooms throughout and at the end of your shift.
• Maintain good public relations with members.
• Remove all broken toys and report all needed repairs to the membership director.
• In case of injury, follow the emergency procedures. Fill out the incident/accident report form for every injury/altercation on the premises.
• Attend all staff meetings.
• Secure your own substitute if ill or cannot make assignments.
• Maintain proper records for all Child Watch attendance and responsibilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written) and maintain emotional control under stress.
• Work cooperatively and effectively as a team member by communicating and contributing information on a continuous basis.
• Thank members and their children and wish them a good day as they leave
• Inform parents about their children's involvement and activities for the day.
• Know and follow the Greater Austin YMCA's People Guidelines, Code of Ethics, payroll procedures, and established emergency procedures.
• Promote the YMCA's character values, mission, wellness philosophy, and role in the community.
• Lead by example the Y's mission, vision, and values with program participants, members, staff, and guests. 
• Become an Ambassador of the Y's work and culture by being the ultimate storyteller of who we are as an organization and brand. 
• Complete other duties as assigned.

What You Bring to the Community Enterprise:

• 16 years of age.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is preferred but not required.
• Previous experience in a childcare setting is a plus.
• Experience caring for children ages 8 weeks through 12 years old.
• Have excellent swimming skills to perform rescue techniques and maintain endurance.
• Current First Aid, CPR/AED, and Emergency Oxygen certifications are preferred.
• Demonstrate the ability to remain calm and composed in high-pressure situations.
• Have a growth mindset, quickly learn from failure, and value feedback to continuously improve.
• Display a team player mentality with a positive, service-oriented attitude and the ability to work well with others.
• Have strong verbal and written communication skills, and actively listen for understanding to effectively convey information.
• Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, leveraging people's differences as strengths and promoting a welcoming environment for all.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, talk and occasionally lift and/or move items including equipment, furniture and/or children. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

About Us

The Greater Austin YMCA is a nonprofit community enterprise with a vision to cultivate thriving communities across Central Texas where every person benefits from an empowered and well-educated childhood, equitable access to opportunities, resulting in an elevated quality of life and the promise of a sustainable future. Founded in 1953 and anchored in three Central Texas counties, the Y has served close to 500,000 people and provided more than $30M in financial assistance and program subsidies over the past 10 years. We operate 8 community centers and Camp Moody along with 6 early childhood education centers, 60 afterschool programs on school campuses in four districts, and 20 summer camps, with 1500 staff team members, 1000 volunteers, and a $47M annual operating budget.

Additional Information:

The organization has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

The Greater Austin YMCA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Greater Austin YMCA complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which we have employees. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We Take Care of Our People

• Free Nationwide Gym Membership for your household
• Retirement Planning Options
• Learning and development workshops and trainings
• Career advancement opportunities
• Referral Bonus Opportunities
• Cell Phone Plan discounts for AT&T and T-Mobile/Sprint users
• Staff Discounts on Programs & Services
• Flexible schedules and much more!