Under the direction of the program director, or center-specific designate, and consistent with the Christian mission of the YMCA, the Licensed Afterschool Counselor will be directly responsible for the safety, supervision, programming, and involvement with program participants at the assigned YMCA. In addition, the Licensed Afterschool Counselor will be responsible for knowing and meeting all programmatic requirements for childcare licensure.
Culture Statement:
The culture of the Y is rooted in our Christian mission and core principles. We strive every day to collectively embody our purpose to love, serve and transform lives. Every day we show up to Lead with Love and Serve with Purpose. We Love unconditionally – showing genuine care and concern for everyone, making each interaction meaningful and personal and ensuring every person feels valued, seen and welcomed.
We elevate Hope– promoting optimism by offering encouragement and practical solutions to challenges. We act with Care & Compassion – listening attentively without judgment, responding with empathy, and creating a sense of belonging by uplifting and supporting those around us. We demonstrate Generosity – sharing our time, skills, and resources freely and with joy.
We walk in Grace – showing patience and kindness, even in difficult moments. We ignite Faith – staying grounded in our mission, principles and purpose, inspiring others to trust in what is possible. Demonstrating consistency in our actions, helping others see how their efforts align with a greater purpose. We treasure Honesty – communicating openly and truthfully, admitting mistakes when they occur, and honoring commitments. We honor Humility – leading with a servant’s heart by prioritizing the needs of others above our own.
We live with Joy – celebrating small and big wins alike, inspiring connection and shared joy. We offer Respect – addressing everyone by name and honoring diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
We value Responsibility – performing every task timely with diligence and excellence and holding ourselves accountable by openly evaluating our performance. We engage in Service – going above and beyond in serving others by anticipating needs and delivering exceptional experiences.
Essential Functions:
- Supervise and engage with children in a safe, structured, and positive afterschool environment.
- Plan and lead age-appropriate activities, including arts, games, sports, and educational enrichment.
- Ensure safety and well-being of all participants by following YMCA policies and child supervision protocols.
- Provide positive behavior guidance, modeling respect, responsibility, and inclusion.
- Assist with homework help and academic support, encouraging a love for learning.
- Communicate effectively with parents and guardians regarding their child’s progress and any concerns.
- Support snack distribution and maintain a clean, organized program space.
- Ensure proper check-in and check-out procedures are followed, maintaining accurate attendance records.
- Collaborate with team members and supervisors to create a fun and welcoming program experience.
- Participate in staff meetings and training sessions to stay informed on best practices and program updates.
Performs other duties and tasks as assigned by leadership
Required Qualifications:
• Minimum 18 years of age
• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of 1 year previous child care experience.
• Completion of 20 hours of training in early childhood education and curriculum best practices annually.
• Completion of Basic Safety Series and Child Abuse Prevention trainings upon hire.
• Interest in working with children and youth, exercising sound emotional maturity, moral character, judgement, integrity and leadership capability.
• Ability to adapt to changing needs and circumstances.
• Desire to learn and apply experiences as necessary.
• Strong interpersonal skills to be able to communicate in a positive manner with participants, families, and staff.
All YMCA team members are expected to maintain a current and active status for all safety, risk, and programming certifications defined by the YMCA of Greater Charlotte
Preferred Qualifications:
• Basic School Age Care Certificate (can be obtained after hire)
• Previous experience and training related to working with youth and diverse populations
Working Conditions:
• Ability to walk, stand, and sit (including on the floor) for long periods of time.
• Must be able to lift and/or assist children up to 50 pounds in weight.
• Must be able to lift and carry supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to stand or sit while maintaining alertness for several hours at a time.
• Requires bending, pulling, crouching, leaning, kneeling, and walking, pushing, climbing, and jumping.
• Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing in such a way as to be easily understood by children, staff and parents.
• Visual and auditory ability to supervise and respond to critical situations with children.
• Must be able to move freely and quickly through the facility and alternate program locations including outdoors and field trips.
Competencies:
1 EMOTIONAL MATURITY: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations
2 CRITICAL THINKING & DECISION MAKING: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment
3 DEVELOPING SELF & OTHERS: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers,
members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential
4 INCLUSION: Values all people for their unique talents, and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence
