Title: Y-PHD Afterschool Program Inclusion Support Staff (St. Catherine's Elementary School)

Position Status: Part-Time, Contract; Monday to Friday, 2:00-5:30pm to June 28, 2024

Salary: $19.00 per hour

Start Date: Immediately

Location: St. Catherine’s Elementary School

The YMCA is a place where everyone belongs, we are committed to providing equal opportunities for all, in a welcoming space that is both nurturing and fun – a community of shared responsibilities, where children and families can thrive.

There are lots of places to work, but few opportunities to do work that really matters, and the Y is one of those rare places. When you join our team, you don’t just get a job – you’ll embark on an exciting path of career development. You will be part of a team that provides children, youth, and adults of all ages reach feel a sense of belonging to their community.

The Opportunity

This position will focus on supporting the youth with-in the program who require support. This position is to provide support to those who are in need of support to allow them continued involvement in the program’s activities. This position is also responsible for ensuring quality, inclusive program delivery with a focus on physical literacy, cooperative play, and confidence building in keeping with High Five and Y Healthy Child Standards curriculum. Direct delivery of child-centric development-based programming for School Age youth (ages 4-12) and championing importance of physical literacy in youth as a cornerstone to building Healthy Communities.

Responsibilities

• Primary duty to focus on youth with-in the program who require additional support. To promote full engagement from participants into planned activities and events. Monitor and support using best practices to allow participant to feel safe and supported within the program
• Program Planning: plan and implement afterschool programming that provides an interactive, well-rounded, and educational experience in keeping with quality standards, child protection/safety requirements, and provincial requirements (i.e. applicable legislation). Includes development of curriculum plan and supporting activities, ensuring experience consistency/routine maintenance, and resource procurement
• Program Delivery: Responsible for delivery of hands-on program activity plans for school age youth (ages 5-12) to enhance/provide participants with a safe, inclusive, positive environment. Program facilitation is in keeping with established outcomes/objectives, in addition to YMCA quality and Child Protection standards, school safety requirements, and provincial regulations. Includes: program set-up/take down, preparation of materials and procurement of supplies/equipment; program evaluation and measurements of success
• Foster positive, collaborative relationships with parents and caregivers in aim of supporting and enhancing child’s learning, development, and ensuring individual needs are met. Through collaboration with the leadership team, ensure a timely, meaningful resolution to parent concerns regarding program delivery. Champion and model Y values and behavior standards in all internal and external interactions
• Program Administration: Complete program documentation/administrative activities as required supporting efficient program delivery and fulfillment of YMCA program and provincial body legislated requirements. Includes: completion, maintenance, and reporting of daily/weekly activity plan, pick up/sign out records, participant record maintenance, program/participation statistics, permission slips, and attendance
• Supervise and mentor student placements leading by example and offering feedback when necessary
• Problem-solve any challenges that may occur within placements. Identify and target those placements that can be recruited for future employment

Qualifications & Skills

• High School diploma, or equivalent combination of education and experience, with a strong reference
• Must have training or equivalent experience working directly with youth who require additional support
• 1-2 years of childcare experience with demonstrable evidence of experience linked to the role’s responsibilities
• Experience working with children
• Demonstrated success in plan/organize games, sports, arts, crafts, cultural activities, lead field trips, etc.
• Post-secondary education in Early Childhood Education or related field an asset
• Working knowledge of school system and community resources an asset
• Demonstrated cross-cultural communication skills to work with youth, parents, and staff
• Demonstrated ability to meet multiple, competing deadlines and priorities
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation/workshop facilitation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy, and ability to establish rapport with clients
• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills
• Valid Nova Scotia Driver’s License or access to reliable transportation
• Flexibility to work outside of regular work hours on an as-needed basis