Special Needs After School Counselor

## Description

The Peter Blum Family YMCA is seeking compassionate, energetic, and dependable individuals to join our Special Needs After School Program. We are hiring team members available Monday through Friday between 1:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., with flexible scheduling based on availability and program needs. As a Special Needs After School Counselor, you will create a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment where children and teens with diverse abilities learn, grow, build confidence, and develop meaningful relationships through recreational and educational experiences.

**What We Offer**

• Complimentary YMCA membership
• Flexible weekday schedule based on your availability
• Additional hours during school breaks, teacher workdays, and summer camp
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certification opportunities
• A supportive, mission-driven team dedicated to serving children with diverse abilities

**Essential Functions**

• Provide a safe, healthy, and inclusive environment for children and teens with diverse abilities.
• Supervise participants while promoting independence, confidence, and positive social interactions.
• Adapt games, homework assistance, STEM, arts, recreation, and enrichment activities to meet individual needs and abilities.
• Use positive behavior support strategies and encourage communication, self-help, and life skills.
• Maintain attendance, required documentation, and child accountability throughout the program.
• Communicate effectively with families regarding participant successes, concerns, and daily experiences.
• Work collaboratively with supervisors and teammates to ensure appropriate accommodations for all participants.
• Report accidents, incidents, and suspected child abuse in accordance with YMCA policies and Florida licensing requirements.
• Remain knowledgeable of YMCA policies, emergency procedures, risk management practices, and Florida child care licensing standards.

## Qualifications
**Education, Training and Experience**

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Current CPR, First Aid, and AED certification, or the ability to obtain within YMCA-required timeframes.
• Experience working with children in childcare, camps, schools, recreation, or youth programs is preferred, but not required.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
• Patient, compassionate, dependable, and passionate about working with children and teens.
• Ability to build positive relationships with participants, families, and staff.
• Ability to follow YMCA policies, procedures, and safety standards while exercising sound judgment.
• Ability to actively supervise children in a fast-paced environment while remaining alert and attentive at all times.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and participate in recreational activities, including lifting up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors and respond calmly and appropriately during emergencies or challenging situations.

**YMCA COMPETENCIES (LEADER):**

• *Mission and Community Oriented:* Accepts and demonstrates YMCA values. Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions and perceptions. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits other volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them.
• *People Oriented:* Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
• *Results Oriented:* Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Supports fundraising. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately.
• *Personal Development Oriented:* Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process.

**DISCLAIMERS**

• Must successfully complete a Level II criminal background screening.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screening.
• No prior Florida DCF Child Care certification is required. Employees who do not already possess the Florida DCF 40-Hour Introductory Child Care Training will receive support from the YMCA throughout the certification process, including payment for the required state competency examinations.
• The duties and responsibilities listed above are considered essential functions of the position and may be reasonably accommodated in accordance with applicable law. The YMCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.
• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned to support the YMCA's mission and operations. Job responsibilities may be modified as business needs change.