Job Description

Job Location: Griffith Family YMCA - Griffith, IN 46319
Position Type: Part TimePay starts at $12.00 per hour an up based on experience
Make a Difference Every Day. Join Us as Before & After School Care Instructor!
Do you enjoy working with children and creating a safe, fun, and engaging environment? As a Before & After School Care Instructor, you'll play an important role in helping elementary-aged children start and end their school day with positive experiences. Every day is different, you may be leading games, helping with homework, facilitating creative activities, resolving conflicts, or simply being a trusted adult who makes a child feel welcome and valued. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys being active, building relationships, and creating meaningful experiences for youth.
What You Can Expect
No two days are exactly alike. You will:
- Supervise and engage groups of school-age children before and after school.
- Plan and lead age-appropriate games, crafts, STEM activities, outdoor play, and enrichment experiences.
- Assist children with homework and encourage positive social interactions.
- Build positive relationships with children, families, school staff, and coworkers.
- Maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming environment while following all program policies and licensing requirements.
- Ensure children are signed in and out properly and verify authorized individuals during pick-up.
- Observe children's behavior, encourage positive choices, and address conflicts respectfully.
- Maintain attendance, incident, and other required program documentation.
- Participate in staff meetings, required training, and professional development.
What Makes This Job Rewarding
This position offers the opportunity to:
- Make a lasting impact on children's lives.
- Develop leadership, communication, and classroom management skills.
- Be creative and bring your own ideas and energy to daily activities.
- Work in a collaborative, supportive team environment.
- Gain valuable experience for careers in education, recreation, child development, or youth programming.
What Can Be Challenging
This is an active position that requires patience, flexibility, and sound judgment.
You should expect to:
- Supervise multiple children while maintaining a safe environment.
- Redirect challenging behaviors using positive guidance techniques.
- Adapt quickly when schedules, weather, or activities change.
- Spend time both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Remain attentive and engaged throughout your shift, as children's safety depends on consistent supervision.
- Balance fun with maintaining program expectations, routines, and safety standards.

Qualifications
- Must be at least 16 years of age.
- Previous experience working with children is preferred.
- Ability to communicate effectively with children, parents, coworkers, and school staff.
- Ability to respond appropriately in emergency situations.
- Willingness to complete all required orientation, safety, CPR/First Aid, and ongoing training within established timeframes.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to actively participate in children's activities, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and occasional running.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to supervise children indoors and outdoors, including during varying weather conditions.
- Ability to observe, hear, and communicate effectively in a busy childcare environment.
Is This Role Right for You?
You'll be successful in this position if you:
- Enjoy working with elementary-aged children.
- Have a positive attitude.
- Stay calm and patient in busy or unexpected situations.
- Can manage multiple priorities while maintaining children's safety.
- Believe every child deserves a safe, supportive, and engaging place to learn and grow.
Benefits at Crossroads YMCA
When you join Crossroads YMCA, you'll enjoy benefits that support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth, including:
- Free individual YMCA membership
- Discounts on YMCA programs
- Voluntary 403(b) retirement savings plan
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Career growth opportunities
At Crossroads YMCA, we invest in our employees because we know they make a difference in our community every day.
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