Job Description

Position Summary

Youth Development Assistants (YDAs) help create a safe, positive, and engaging after-school environment for children and teens. This is an active, hands-on position requiring employees to supervise, mentor, and interact with youth while supporting educational, recreational, and enrichment activities.

Successful candidates must be dependable, punctual, patient, energetic, and team-oriented. Employees are expected to remain actively engaged with students, maintain a safe environment, and contribute to the overall success of daily programming.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities

Attendance & Reliability

• Report to work on time, generally 15 minutes before programming begins, to prepare for student arrival.
• Maintain consistent attendance and follow established call-off procedures.
• Understand that staffing needs decrease as students leave, making later start times difficult to accommodate.
• Follow assigned schedules and accurately record all hours worked, including required preparation and closing duties.

Active Supervision & Student Safety

• Actively supervise youth, maintaining awareness of student locations, activities, and behavior.
• Remain attentive, engaged, and mobile throughout the program to ensure student safety.
• Maintain appropriate staff-to-youth supervision ratios and follow child protection procedures.
• Follow established student check-in, attendance, and authorized dismissal procedures.
• Never leave assigned students without appropriate supervision.
• Respond promptly to injuries, emergencies, behavioral concerns, and unsafe situations.
• Follow emergency procedures, including evacuation, lockdown, and incident reporting.
• Limit personal phone use while supervising youth to authorized work-related or emergency purposes.

Youth Engagement & Program Activities

• Build positive relationships with students through mentorship, encouragement, and active participation.
• Lead and support educational, recreational, STEM, arts, sports, and enrichment activities.
• Encourage participation, teamwork, positive behavior, and social-emotional development.
• Use appropriate behavior management, redirection, and de-escalation techniques.
• Assist with homework, small-group activities, and transitions between program areas.
• Adapt activities to meet the needs and abilities of participating youth.

Program Setup, Cleanup & Physical Responsibilities

• Assist with setting up and putting away program equipment, tables, chairs, games, books, and supplies.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe program areas.
• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, lift, push, and pull as needed to support daily programming.
• Assist with student dismissal and complete assigned closing responsibilities.
• Follow safe equipment-handling and lifting procedures.

Teamwork & Professional Conduct

• Maintain a positive, professional, and team-oriented attitude.
• Work cooperatively with Site Coordinators, coworkers, school personnel, and families.
• Communicate respectfully and accept direction, feedback, and coaching.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and protect confidential student information.
• Follow organizational and school district policies, including rules regarding student photography, social media, and electronic communication.
• Report suspected abuse or neglect in accordance with mandated reporting requirements.
• Assist coworkers and adapt to changing program needs.

Training & Additional Responsibilities

• Complete required DCFS Mandated Reporter, C.A.S.E., CPR/First Aid, and other organizational training within established deadlines.
• Participate in New Employee Orientation and required professional development.
• Maintain required certifications and comply with safety and child protection policies.
• Assist with attendance records, program documentation, and quality assessments.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience working with children or teens preferred.
• Availability Monday–Friday for assigned shifts, including required paid preparation time.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.
• Dependable, punctual, patient, and able to maintain professionalism in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to complete required background checks, screenings, and training.
• Bilingual abilities are a plus.

Essential Physical & Mental Requirements

This position requires regular physical activity and active engagement with children. Employees must be able to perform the following essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Standing & Walking: Frequently stand and walk for much of the shift to supervise youth and maintain safety.
• Bending & Movement: Regularly bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and move between program areas.
• Lifting & Equipment: Lift and carry program materials weighing up to 25 pounds and assist with pushing, pulling, and moving equipment using safe handling practices.
• Active Participation: Participate in age-appropriate physical and recreational activities and respond promptly to student needs.
• Communication & Awareness: Effectively communicate with students and staff while maintaining awareness of activities and potential safety concerns.
• Emotional & Behavioral Skills: Demonstrate patience, sound judgment, adaptability, and the ability to respond calmly to challenging situations.

Employment Expectations

Youth Development Assistants are expected to maintain reliable attendance, arrive on time, actively supervise and engage with youth, follow safety procedures, and work cooperatively with their team.

Failure to meet established performance, attendance, safety, or conduct expectations may result in corrective action in accordance with organizational policies.