B.A.S.E. Program Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The SACC B.A.S.E. Program Assistant at the Whatcom Family YMCA creates an environment that positively impacts the development of youth. The position provides thoughtful program activities to help youth gain new knowledge, skills and abilities; build confidence; and discover who they are. They will facilitate relationships with and among youth, creating a space for them to make new friends and develop strong relationships with staff. They will provide a safe and inclusive environment so that every youth feels welcome and finds a place to belong.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Supervises the children, classroom, and all activities.
2. Interacts with youth in a positive, warm and nurturing manner. Creating a positive rapport and shared interest with all youth while understanding and maintaining personal boundaries with youth.
3. Uses effective listening and verbal skills, including positive body language and tone of voice.
4. Develops and maintains open, friendly, cooperative and respectful relationships with families and other partners. Provides and welcomes ongoing dialogue with parents and caregivers about their childs needs, progress, and outcomes.
5. Creates a safe environment that helps all youth feel welcome and respected. Helps youth with unique experiences or points of view share their perspective.
6. Encourages, supports, and provides structured opportunities for positive peer-to-peer relationships among youth.
7. Selects and uses appropriate equipment, material, resources and activities to achieve program goals.
8. Provides opportunities for youth to lead, problem-solve and make decisions and choices.
9. Applies strategies to assist youth in learning to express emotions in positive ways.
10. Employs positive behavior guidance strategies that provide youth with increased self-awareness and self-control.
11. Attends and participates in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training.
12. Follows organizations policies and procedures regarding protecting youth from abuse; including screening and selection, training and supervision, and responding to allegations. Communicate to all staff and volunteers the organizations commitment to protect youth from abuse.
13. Follows mandated reporting requirements.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY:

Everything we do at the YMCA is based on the ideal that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or identity, diverse abilities, age, religion, socioeconomic status or any other statuses or identities. Our work is focused on eliminating barriers to access, eliminating disparities in health, providing educational support, supporting working families, and growing our next generation of change makers for our country.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Leader):

Advancing our Mission & Cause: Engaging Community

Building Relationships: Collaboration, Communication & Influence, Inclusion

Leading Operations: Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Functional Expertise, Innovation

Developing & Inspiring People: Developing Self & Others, Emotional Maturity

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. At least 18 years of age.
2. High School Diploma or equivalent
3.  Have completed twelve college credits in any one hundred-level or above college coursework or equivalent as approved and verified in the electronic workforce registry by DCYF within five years of hire or promoted into this position.
4. Previous experience working with children in a developmental setting preferred.
5. COVID-19 Vaccination Preferred
6. Complete Pre-Hire requirements
   1. Complete and pass DCYF background check
   2. Negative TB test within previous 12 months
7. Complete Training requirements
   1. Complete Praesidium Child Abuse prevention training within 15 days of hire date.
   2. Complete YUSA Orientation Training within 15 days of hire date.
   3. Bloodborne Pathogens Training
   4. DCYF Recognizing and Reporting child abuse Training
   5. CPR & First Aid (adult, child and infant) Training
   6. Food Handler Permit
   7. STARS 30 Hour School Age Basic Training (Must be completed within 3 months of hire date; this is an unpaid training with reimbursement available from WA State)

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to safely supervise program activities.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.