Youth Development Group Leader; year round

Department:
Youth Development

Reports to:

Youth Development Program Manager

Compensation: $17-23/hour to start (dependent upon experience, credentials, and registry level)

TOTAL POSITIONS: 3 (POSITIONS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE:
1)

This position delivers quality programming to youth through age 5-12 at our Riverwest Center located at 909 East Garfield Avenue in Milwaukee. This is a full-time, year-round position. During the academic year, this position provides support to our Early Childhood Education program (birth to
5) in the morning and leads a Youth Development program classroom in the afternoon. During the summer, this position is exclusively leading a Youth Development program classroom all day. This position is eligible for benefits.

Program

Develop and lead activities and groups per curriculum, grant, or program plan. Actively participate at all times, even when there is an outside facilitator. Ensure emotional, social, and physical safety of participants at all times. Never leave youth unattended. Work with the YD Program Manager to develop creative and innovative daily/weekly lessons plans, either for a self‑created program or to supplement an existing curriculum.

Organize space and supplies. Maintain clean and safe program areas, cleaning‑up as needed. Administer pre‑ and post‑tests. Use plan time or downtime appropriately.

Administrative

Accurately record activity attendance promptly at beginning of each activity. Submit attendance daily to designated staff member responsible for data. Write thorough incident reports promptly and submit immediately to YD Program Manager. May be asked to write narratives on activities led, success stories, etc. Track youth at all times while on field trips.

Relationships

Actively engage with youth at all times, walking around during activity to ensure participation and understanding. Manage youth behavior through positive reinforcement, redirection, and progressive discipline. Encourage and support youth recruitment and retention. Ensure consequence is appropriate for behavior.

Communicate with parents in a timely manner regarding positive remarks, behavior concerns, and incidents in a calm and professional manner.

Other

Role model appropriate behavior at all times. This includes developing and maintaining appropriate professional relationships with youth, colleagues, parents, facilitators, etc.

Responsible for tracking and fulfilling continuing education and professional development requirements and submitting records to YD Program Manager and Human Resources. Accurately enter work time in payroll system daily.

Education/Knowledge/Experience

• CPR / AED / First Aid certification (must be obtained within three months of hire)
• Minimum of one year of experience leading at least one structured activity for urban youth, preferred
• Must be computer literate: able to use Word to create, edit and format documents and flyers as well as Excel to enter in and manipulate data

Skills/Personal Qualities/Attitude

• Embody COA Values with a passion for serving others
• Philosophical compatibility with COA mission and youth development methods
• Strong youth management skills
• Creativity in program delivery
• Flexibility to work in different program areas and age groups. Is a team player.
• Works well independently and under pressure
• Good written communication skills
• Patience, positive attitude, and cultural competency

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

The physical requirements are the ability

• To sit and stand for long periods of time
• To move/run, i.e., to physically engage with the youth and actively participate in programming

The work environment is an active environment with urban youth and families in a variety of settings. This requires the ability to respond quickly to changing situations and be able to move around the COA site as needed.

These characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

The above is intended to describe the general content and requirements of this job. It is not meant to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. In other words, other duties as assigned.