Youth Development Site Lead/JR Harris Elementary

Join a team that's shaping the next generation.

At the YMCA, we're more than an afterschool program provider-we're a community dedicated to helping young people grow, learn, and thrive. If you're a motivated leader who is passionate about youth development, safety, and program excellence, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while leading a high-quality program that supports children and families every day.

What You'll Do

As an Afterschool Site Lead, you'll serve as the primary leader for a licensed school-age enrichment program, ensuring children are safe, supported, and engaged every day. You'll coordinate daily program operations, implement the YMCA curriculum, ensure licensing compliance, and build strong relationships with families, school partners, and YMCA staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Keep Children Safe: Create and maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment where every child can learn, grow, and thrive. Ensure proper supervision, conduct regular headcounts, monitor activities, maintain attendance records, and respond appropriately to emergencies while following YMCA and state licensing requirements.
2. Site Management: Serve as the designated Texas Childcare Licensing Site Director, ensuring compliance with all YMCA Houston and state regulations and standards. Oversee the daily operations of the afterschool program, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for all children. Maintains the program site and equipment, assists with the set-up and breakdown of activity centers and cleaning of the program area.
3. Supervision and Safety: Ensure the safety and security of all children and staff at the site. Maintain accurate records, including attendance, incident reports, and compliance documentation. Monitor the children's activities to ensure they engage in safe and age-appropriate behaviors. Monitor site staff adherence to policies and redirect as needed. Conduct regular headcounts and maintain accurate attendance records. Respond appropriately and promptly to emergencies and incidents, following established YMCA policies.
4. Behavior Management: Implement positive behavior management techniques to promote a respectful and inclusive environment. Address behavioral issues in a calm and constructive manner, following established guidelines.
5. Program & Policy Compliance: Conduct regular safety drills and inspections to ensure compliance with licensing requirements and organizational policies. Ensure required postings are on display. Follow all organizational policies and procedures, including those related to health and safety, child protection, and confidentiality. Maintain a clean and organized environment, adhering to sanitation and safety standards. Report any concerns or issues to Program Director in a timely manner.
6. Program Planning and Implementation: Oversee the implementation of age-appropriate activities, including structured and unstructured activities as outlined in YMCA approved curriculum. Encourage and facilitate positive social interactions among children. Adapt activities to meet the diverse needs and interests of all children. Evaluate program effectiveness and make adjustments as necessary.
7. Parent and Community Engagement: Communicate regularly with parents regarding their child's progress, behavior, and any concerns. Address parent inquiries and concerns promptly and professionally. Follow all organizational policies and procedures, including those related to health and safety, child protection, and confidentiality. Maintain a clean and organized environment, adhering to sanitation and safety standards. Report any concerns or issues to Program Director in a timely manner
8. Administrative Duties: Maintain accurate enrollment and attendance records, including sign-in sheets and daily rosters.
9. Program Growth and Retention: Develop and implement strategies to promote program growth and increase enrollment. Create and execute retention plans to ensure high levels of participant satisfaction and continuity. Monitor and analyze enrollment trends and feedback to identify areas for improvement and opportunities for expansion.
10. Program Quality: Plan and implements lesson/activity plans curriculum that includes both formal and informal play within the center and outdoors in adherence to Y program model, curriculum and quality standards.
11. Program Evaluation: Lead Youth Program Quality (YPQ) intervention process. Use continuous program monitors to evaluate youth participation and the effectiveness of program and makes adjustments to program as needed.
12. Child Abuse Prevention: Reports suspicious and inappropriate behaviors and policy violations. Follows mandated abuse and incident reporting requirements. Ensures youth are properly signed in and signed out, ensures only authorized adults are allowed in the facility, etc. Adheres to policies related to boundaries with each child. Ensures unused rooms and closets remain locked; routinely monitors high-risk locations (bathrooms), etc.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. At least 21 years of age.
2. High school diploma or general education degree (GED). Minimum of 70 clock hours of training in child or youth development, recreational leadership or management. Two (2) college courses are equivalent to 100 clock hours. Minimum Standard #744.1017.
3. At least one year of experience working with youth in a licensed childcare facility, school, church, or similar setting
4. CPR, First Aid, AED, and Child Abuse Prevention certifications (or ability to obtain)
5. Ability to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate activities and programming
6. Experience working with diverse populations
7. Ability to pass state and local background checks and FBI fingerprinting requirements
8. Current TB test and any required health screenings or immunizations per state and local regulations

Physical & Work Environment Expectations

This is an active leadership role that requires regular movement throughout the program site. You may be required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, and participate in indoor and outdoor activities. The ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally is required. Work environments include classrooms, cafeterias, playgrounds, gymnasiums, and outdoor recreation spaces, with exposure to varying weather conditions, moderate noise levels, and active youth programming.

During camp seasons, Afterschool Site Leads may transition into Youth Development Counselor responsibilities and participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, field trips, and extended periods of standing and walking.

Typical Schedule

Before/After School Program: Part-time, Monday-Friday, typically 6:30 am-8:30 am and/or 2:30 pm-6:30 pm (aligned with the ISD calendar). Occasional Saturdays may be required.

Camp Program: Monday-Friday, operating between 6:30 am-6:30 pm with multiple shift options (aligned with school district breaks). Occasional Saturdays may be required.

Participation in family nights, staff meetings, trainings, and program events is required with advance notice.

Why the YMCA

When you join the YMCA, you join a mission-driven organization that values leadership, service, and community impact. As an Afterschool Site Lead, you'll play a critical role in creating safe, high-quality youth experiences, fostering meaningful relationships with families, and ensuring your program site operates successfully each day. If you're ready to lead with purpose and help children thrive, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits of Working at the YMCA

• Free YMCA Membership
• Discounts on YMCA programs
• Paid training and professional development opportunities
• Leadership growth pathways within youth development and YMCA operations
• A supportive, mission-driven team environment
• Flexible scheduling opportunities
• Opportunities to make a lasting impact on the community and families

The YMCA of Greater Houston provides Equal Employment Opportunities for employment to all employees and applicants, including disability and protected veteran status.