Under the supervision of the designated supervisor, the Lead Child Watch Attendant provides daily leadership and support for Child Watch operations while ensuring a safe, nurturing, and welcoming environment for children and families. This position provides direct supervision of children, supports and guides Child Watch staff, helps coordinate daily staffing and activities, and ensures YMCA safety and Child Protection Standards are consistently followed. Builds positive relationships with children, families, members, and staff while promoting a high-quality member experience.
Model the YMCA’s mission and core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Provide daily leadership and direction to Child Watch staff while maintaining a positive, collaborative team environment.
Supervise children and actively engage in safe, age-appropriate activities that support positive social and developmental experiences.
Maintain required staff-to-child ratios and assist with staff scheduling and coverage to support safe program operations.
Ensure proper check-in and check-out procedures and maintain accurate attendance and program records.
Build positive relationships with children and families and respond professionally to questions, concerns, and individual needs.
Support staff onboarding, training, coaching, and ongoing development.
Ensure compliance with YMCA Child Protection Standards, safety procedures, emergency protocols, and organizational policies.
Respond appropriately to behavioral concerns, injuries, incidents, and emergencies and complete required documentation.
Maintain clean, organized, sanitary, and safe Child Watch spaces, toys, equipment, and supplies.
Monitor program supplies and equipment and communicate needs or concerns to the supervisor.
Participate in required staff meetings, trainings, special events, and YMCA initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned.
YMCA COMPETENCIES (Leader):
Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fundraising.
Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations, and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
Adhere to YMCA policies regarding professional boundaries with youth.
Attend all required Abuse Risk Management and Child Protection trainings.
Follow established procedures for supervising children and managing high-risk activities.
Immediately report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
Comply with all mandated reporting requirements and child protection protocols.
Follow all YMCA and Praesidium standards related to child abuse prevention and youth protection.
Every employee shares responsibility for protecting the children and families entrusted to our care.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
High school diploma or equivalent required; coursework in child development, education, recreation, or a related field preferred.
Previous experience working with infants, toddlers, or young children in childcare, recreation, camp, education, or a similar setting is required.
Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
Knowledge of age-appropriate activities, child supervision, positive behavior support, and basic child development.
Strong communication, customer service, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to lead and support staff while building positive relationships with children, families, members, and coworkers.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and respond calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
Current CPR, First Aid, AED, and Child Abuse Prevention certifications, or the ability to obtain them within YMCA-established timeframes.
Must successfully complete all required background screenings and comply with YMCA Child Protection Policies and organizational policies and procedures.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Work is performed primarily in an active indoor Child Watch environment with frequent interaction with young children, families, and staff.
Regularly required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, sit on the floor, and actively engage with children.
Must be able to lift, carry, and assist children and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
Requires continuous visual and auditory supervision of children and the ability to respond quickly to emergencies.
Frequently required to assist with program setup, cleanup, sanitation, and organization of toys and equipment.
May be exposed to moderate noise levels, cleaning products, and common childhood illnesses.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
