Youth & Family Coordinator

Pay starting $17.00 and up based on experience

Help Create Experiences Where Kids and Families Thrive – Join Our Team as a Youth & Family Coordinator!

Position Summary

At the YMCA, we believe every child deserves a safe, welcoming place to learn, grow, and belong. As a Youth & Family Coordinator, you will help create engaging programs and positive experiences for children and families while supporting the team members who make those programs possible. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines direct work with children, staff support, program coordination, and administrative responsibilities. You will spend approximately 80% of your time providing direct service while helping ensure programs are safe, engaging, well-staffed, and aligned with YMCA standards.

What Success Looks Like

Successful Youth & Family Coordinators:

• Create a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and fun environment for children.
• Build positive relationships with children, parents, families, and team members.
• Lead by example while working directly alongside program staff.
• Support staff through onboarding, training, coaching, and ongoing feedback.
• Help programs run smoothly while maintaining appropriate staff-to-child ratios.
• Create engaging activities that encourage creativity, collaboration, and fun.
• Respond professionally and promptly to parent questions or concerns.
• Model the YMCA's mission, values, and commitment to serving all.

What You'll Be Doing

Youth Programming & Direct Service

• Spend approximately 80% of your time in direct service, actively working with children and supporting programs.
• Provide shift supervision and help ensure smooth day-to-day program operations.
• Create a nurturing and safe environment for all program participants.
• Lead structured and engaging activities that promote creativity, teamwork, and fun.
• Adapt activities based on children's ages, interests, and needs while maintaining program goals.
• Help maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios.
• Support the successful onboarding of new children and families.
• Assist with planning, developing, and implementing youth and family events.

Team Leadership & Development

• Support the Director with training, supervising, and developing program staff and volunteers.
• Assist with recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and developing team members.
• Provide staff with ongoing feedback, coaching, guidance, and support.
• Assist with performance evaluations and corrective action when necessary.
• Help ensure programming and procedures are delivered consistently.
• Create a positive team environment focused on safety, inclusion, accountability, and quality.

Family & Community Engagement

• Build collaborative and positive relationships with parents and families.
• Respond to questions, concerns, and complaints in a timely and professional manner.
• Model strong relationship-building through YMCA Listen First practices.
• Support YMCA campaign efforts and donor engagement.
• Help create an environment where children and families feel welcomed, connected, and supported.

Program & Administrative Support

• Complete administrative responsibilities including recordkeeping, filing, forms, scheduling, and payroll.
• Ensure required program paperwork and documentation are completed accurately.
• Monitor program supplies and equipment and help coordinate necessary maintenance.
• Follow YMCA policies, procedures, and safety expectations.
• Use Office 365 and YMCA systems to support program operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Should Know Before Applying

This is a hands-on position that combines leadership responsibilities with significant direct interaction with children. Youth & Family Coordinators aren't just overseeing programs—they are actively participating in them, supporting staff, engaging with families, and stepping in wherever needed to create a positive experience.

You May Enjoy This Role If You:

• Love working with children and helping them learn, grow, and have fun.
• Enjoy creating activities and finding new ways to keep kids engaged.
• Like coaching and supporting other team members.
• Are comfortable communicating with parents and families.
• Can stay organized while managing several responsibilities at once.
• Are able to adapt when plans or children's needs change.
• Enjoy being active and involved rather than sitting behind a desk all day.
• Want to build leadership experience in youth development and programming.

Challenges of the Role

• Balancing direct service with leadership and administrative responsibilities.
• Managing the different needs, personalities, and behaviors of children across age groups.
• Responding calmly and appropriately to behavioral, safety, staffing, or parent concerns.
• Maintaining appropriate staff-to-child ratios and program coverage.
• Staying engaged and attentive in an active and sometimes loud environment.
• Adjusting activities and plans based on the needs of the group.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of related experience.
• Experience working with children of different ages and backgrounds.
• Ability to create a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment for children.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while also collaborating effectively with a team.
• Ability to respond appropriately to safety and emergency situations.
• Proficiency with Office 365 and ability to learn YMCA systems.
• Ability to effectively engage with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Completion of required YMCA onboarding, safety, child protection, behavior management, service, and leadership trainings within established timeframes.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, and move throughout the workday.
• Ability to actively participate in children's activities and programming.
• Visual, auditory, and verbal ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to maintain a high level of alertness, concentration, and initiative.
• Ability to work in a moderate to occasionally loud environment.
• Must maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.

Benefits at Crossroads YMCA

When you join Crossroads YMCA, you'll enjoy benefits that support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth, including:

• Free individual YMCA membership
• Discounts on YMCA programs
• Voluntary 403(b) retirement savings plan
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Career growth opportunities

Our Mission

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.