Chesterton - Gym Youth Development Professional

Position Title: Youth Development Professional – GYM

Reports To: Club Director

Status: Part-Time Availability Needed Monday- Thursday 1pm to 7pm Friday 1pm to 6pm

Hourly Rate: $13.00 to $15.00

Position Summary

The Youth Development Professional – Gym is responsible for creating, planning, implementing, and supervising high-quality, grant-aligned sports, recreation, and physical activity programs in the gym and field spaces. This role supports Boys & Girls Club by ensuring programming is safe, developmentally appropriate, engaging, and inclusive for all youth.

The professional will foster physically and emotionally safe environments, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage teamwork and leadership, and support youth in developing lifelong habits of physical activity.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Gym Programming

• Design and implement engaging, grant-aligned sports and recreation programs that promote physical activity, wellness, teamwork, and youth voice.
• Facilitate programming in gym, field, playground, multipurpose rooms, and outdoor spaces.
• Align programming with BGCA Gym & Field Fundamentals:
  1. Create a Physically and Emotionally Safe Space
     • Maintain safe equipment and facilities.
     • Foster inclusive, respectful environments that prevent bullying and exclusion.
  2. Offer Developmentally Appropriate Choices
     • Plan age-, skill-, and size-appropriate games and activities.
     • Adjust activities based on staff-to-youth ratios and youth needs.
  3. Develop a Consistent Routine
     • Establish structured gym rotations and predictable schedules.
     • Use gym and field time effectively during arrival, pick-up, and program transitions.
  4. Manage Equipment and Space
     • Organize, maintain, and inventory sports equipment and supplies.
     • Use space creatively to accommodate multiple groups and activities.
  5. Keep It Fresh
     • Rotate sports, games, and activities to keep youth engaged.
     • Introduce new sports, variations, and leadership roles to broaden participation.

Youth Development & Engagement

• Establish strong, positive relationships with members and serve as a mentor and role model.
• Promote youth leadership, teamwork, and positive social interactions.
• Encourage healthy lifestyles, physical fitness, and emotional well-being.
• Support youth in setting and achieving personal, academic, and wellness goals.

Program Operations & Grant Compliance

• Ensure all gym programming aligns with grant goals, outcomes, and reporting requirements.
• Track attendance, participation, and outcome data as required.
• Maintain a clean, healthy, and safe gym and field environment at all times.

Collaboration & Professionalism

• Collaborate with Club leadership, staff, families, and community partners to enhance sports and recreation opportunities.
• Recruit and lead members in gym programs, field trips, tournaments, and special events.
• Attend all required staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support overall Club operations.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Some college education preferred, especially in education, recreation, kinesiology, or a related field.
• Previous experience working with youth, particularly in sports, recreation, or physical activity settings.
• Working knowledge of youth development; experience with Boys & Girls Clubs preferred.
• Ability to plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate physical activity programs.
• Ability to motivate youth and manage behavior effectively.
• Strong communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with youth, families, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Must possess or be able to obtain CPR and First Aid certification.
• Ability to pass a criminal history background check.
• Ability to satisfactorily pass a drug screen for all federally illegal substances.
• Must be eligible to work in the US.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle tools and equipment, reach, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, hear, and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.