Youth Development Professional

PRIMARY FUNCTION

A Youth Development Professional (YDP) supports Club Leadership in providing an Outcome Driven Club Experience in a variety of programming areas including: Gym, Games Room, Learning Center, Computer Lab, Kitchen, Club Entry, and other targeted programming areas. The majority of responsibilities are working directly with youth, ensuring their safety, well-being and development through interactive play and other activities as directed.

The YDP is self-motivated, mature, energetic, and able to maintain clear and healthy boundaries with club members, parents and staff; able to communicate and interact with youth in a way that is age appropriate, motivational and positive in nature. The YDP must be flexible, have the ability to adapt to a work environment which changes often, must remain calm and solve problems in stressful situations. The YDP must anticipate and implement all elements of activities in an organized fashion.

KEY ROLES (Essential Job Responsibilities)

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare youth for success
• Ensures a safe, positive, and healthy Club environment that facilitates positive youth development
• Creates an environment that facilitates the achievement of Youth Development Outcomes.
• Promotes and stimulates daily learning center program participation as well as participation in designated national and special event programs.
• Orient new members to program areas, special events, and opportunities as well as club safety, program and disciplinary rules.
• Provides guidance and role modeling to members.

Program

• Assists with or leads planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and activities in core areas such as; Academics, Arts, STEM, Sports/Recreation, Health & Life Skills, and Youth Leadership
• Maintains a program area schedule that meets diverse interests and abilities of members while ensuring age-appropriate content
• Recognize Club members for program participation and achievement
• Maintains records to track attendance and participation.
• Administer snack and/or mean programs within established grant parameters (if applicable)

Supervision

• Manages and enforces behavior management policies while providing effective, positive guidance and redirection for behavior issues.
• Model strengths-based problem solving, goal setting, and positive social-emotional skills
• Ensure facilities, equipment, and supplies are maintained.

RELATIONSHIPS

Internal: Maintain close, daily positive contact with Club staff, volunteers, Club members, and supervisor

External: Maintain positive relationships with parents, community partners, and stakeholders.

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Knowledge and experience with working with a non-profit youth development agency
• Strong organization skills, attention to detail, professional presence, strong customer relations skills and ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Understanding of youth development principles, ability to motivate youth in a positive way
• Collaborate with other Clubs, Sites, and Community Partners
• Learn and support new ideas for the good of the Club
• Experience working within diverse cultural environments
• Spanish language proficiency, first aid and CPR certification are a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those occurring in the performance of the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

This position is located on-site, at the staff's designated club. The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate to loud.

ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The person in this role should be inspired by our Mission and fully aligned with our BGCAR Values that are highlighted below: 

To enable all young people in Western North Carolina, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

RESPECT | RESILIENCE | JOY | EXCELLENCE | COURAGE

DISCLAIMER

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Non-Discrimination

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Asheville Region (BGCAR) is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. BGCAR does not discriminate with regards to hiring, assignment, promotion or other conditions of staff employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other status protected under local, state or federal law.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of our positions