Assistant Before & After School Leader

Location: Newman YMCA
Department: Out of School Time (OST)
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Before & After School Site Coordinator

The Newman YMCA is looking for an enthusiastic, dependable, and caring Assistant Before & After School Leader to join our Out of School Time team.

In this role, you’ll help create a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment where children can learn, play, build friendships, and have fun before and after the school day. You’ll work alongside the Site Coordinator and other program staff to supervise children, lead age-appropriate activities, support daily program operations, and build positive relationships with children and families.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with children, brings positive energy to a team, and wants to make a meaningful impact in their community.

What You’ll Do

• Actively supervise children and help maintain a safe, positive, and inclusive program environment.

• Assist with planning and leading age-appropriate activities that encourage academic enrichment, creativity, physical activity, social-emotional development, and skill building.

• Lead and support small- and large-group activities, including games, crafts, enrichment activities, community/circle time, and other structured programming.

• Build positive and respectful relationships with children while treating every participant with dignity and respect.

• Promote inclusion, equity, teamwork, and the YMCA’s core values throughout the program.

• Assist with participant sign-in and sign-out procedures and other daily program responsibilities.

• Communicate professionally and positively with parents, caregivers, school personnel, and fellow YMCA staff.

• Support special events and family-focused programs and attend program-related family events as needed.

• Serve snacks and/or meals in accordance with applicable child nutrition program requirements, including meal counts and food-service cleaning procedures.

• Help maintain program spaces, supplies, and equipment, including daily setup, cleanup, and scheduled site maintenance.

• Follow YMCA behavior-management, safety, emergency, and child-protection procedures.

• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities as required.

• Work collaboratively with other staff by demonstrating open communication, encouragement, flexibility, and teamwork.

• Serve as a positive and professional role model while representing the YMCA in the community.

• Support YMCA fundraising and community initiatives as appropriate.

What We’re Looking For

• Must be at least 17 years old for an Assistant School Age Leader position.

• Candidates must enjoy working with children and be able to actively engage with participants throughout the program.

• Strong communication, teamwork, organization, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to remain attentive, patient, and professional in a busy school-age environment.

• Ability to respond appropriately to safety and emergency situations.

• Commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all children and families.

Required Training & Certifications

Before working with children, employees must complete required YMCA and applicable state trainings, including:

• Child Abuse Prevention Training

• New Employee Orientation

• Applicable Massachusetts EEC and/or Rhode Island DHS requirements

Within the first 60 days of employment, employees must complete required safety certifications and trainings, which may include:

• CPR

• First Aid

• AED

• Emergency Oxygen

• Applicable health and safety/pre-service training

Our Culture

At the YMCA, our mission and core values guide everything we do. We are committed to strengthening our community by creating spaces where everyone feels welcome, supported, and valued.

We are welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined. Our staff play an important role in bringing those values to life every day and helping children reach their full potential.

Leadership Competencies

Engaging Community: Builds positive relationships and helps create programs that are welcoming and responsive to the community.

Inclusion: Values each person’s unique strengths and actively supports diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Communication & Influence: Communicates effectively, listens to others, and builds positive relationships with participants, families, and coworkers.

Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates professionalism and the ability to manage emotions and respond appropriately in a variety of situations.

Physical & Working Requirements

This position works in an active, fast-paced school-age program environment and may occasionally require attendance at meetings or trainings at other locations.

Employees must be able to:

• Safely supervise and actively participate in children's activities.

• Sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the program for extended periods.

• Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.

• Maintain appropriate levels of alertness and concentration while supervising children.

• Manage multiple responsibilities while maintaining accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.

• Use computers, phones, and other standard workplace equipment as needed.

Join the Newman YMCA and help us create a safe, fun, and supportive place for children to learn, grow, and thrive!