School's Out Instructor

METROWEST YMCA JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: School’s Out Instructor – School Year 2026 - 2027

FLSA Status: Part-Time Hourly

Reports to: Site Director

Salary Range: $17.00 to $19.00 per hour based on experience and qualifications

Schedule: Part-time afternoon hours during the school year with opportunities for additional hours during school vacations and summer programming

Typical Shift: 1:45pm to 6:00pm or 3:00pm to 6:00pm Monday through Friday

Location: Ashland Middle School, 87 West Union Street, Ashland, MA                                           

POSITION SUMMARY:

The School's Out Instructor (Group Leader) is responsible for the direct supervision, safety, and engagement of a group of elementary-aged children in a licensed out-of-school time program. Instructors help create a welcoming environment where children have opportunities to create, learn, and belong through enrichment activities, homework support, physical activity, and positive social interactions.

Working alongside fellow staff members, families, and school partners, Instructors play an important role in delivering a high-quality program that reflects the MetroWest YMCA's mission and complies with all Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) regulations.

As a School's Out Instructor, you'll do more than supervise children—you'll help create a safe, engaging environment where children build confidence, friendships, and lifelong skills through meaningful relationships and enriching experiences.

OUR CULTURE:  
Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.  We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Child Supervision & Safety

• Provide direct supervision and ensure the safety and well-being of children throughout the program day. 
• Maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios during activities, transitions, and dismissal. 
• Respond appropriately to incidents, injuries, or emergencies while completing required documentation. 
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized program environment. 

Program Activities & Engagement

• Lead and support engaging activities including arts and crafts, STEAM, sports, games, outdoor recreation, and other enrichment opportunities. 
• Prepare activity materials and spaces to encourage creativity, teamwork, and active participation. 
• Provide homework assistance and academic support as appropriate. 

Relationship Building & Behavior Support

• Build positive relationships with children and serve as a positive role model. 
• Use positive behavior guidance strategies that support children's social and emotional development. 
• Foster an inclusive, respectful environment where every child feels welcomed and valued. 

Communication & Collaboration

• Maintain positive relationships with children, families, school personnel, and fellow staff. 
• Communicate professionally with supervisors, colleagues, and parents. 
• Participate in staff meetings, required trainings, and ongoing professional development. 
• Support the daily operation of the School's Out program. 

Program Administration

• Maintain accurate attendance and other required program documentation. 
• Keep required staff certifications and trainings current. 
• Follow all YMCA, EEC, DPH, and Praesidium policies and procedures, including those related to child safety, medical situations, behavior management, and emergency response. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• Must be 18 years of age or older. 
• High school diploma or equivalent (proof of completion required). 
• Minimum of one year of experience working with children in a structured or licensed setting. 
• Ability to meet all Massachusetts EEC licensing requirements, including successful completion of required background checks and fingerprinting. 
• Ability to obtain CPR and First Aid certification within 90 days of employment. 
• Strong communication and teamwork skills. 

Preferred

• College coursework in Education, Child Development, Psychology, Recreation, Human Services, or a related field. 
• Experience leading activities in areas such as: 
  • Arts & Crafts 
  • STEM/STEAM 
  • Physical Education 
  • Outdoor Recreation 
  • Literacy 
  • Team Building 
• Experience working with children from diverse backgrounds and abilities. 

ABUSE RISK MANAGEMENT:

Employees who directly supervise youth will:

• Adhere to policies related to boundaries with youth.
• Attend required abuse risk management training.
• Adhere to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising youth.
• Report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
• Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.
• Follow employee and volunteer screening requirements and use screening instruments to screen for abuse

      risk.

• Provide employees and volunteers with on-going supervision and training related to abuse risk.
• Provide employees and volunteers with regular feedback regarding their boundaries with youth.
• Require employees and volunteers to adhere to policies and procedures related to abuse risk.
• Respond quickly to policy and procedure violations using the organization’s progressive disciplinary

           procedures.

• Respond seriously and confidentially to reports of suspicious and inappropriate behaviors.
• Follow mandated reporting requirements.
• Communicate to all employees and volunteers the organization’s commitment to protect their youth from

      abuse.

• Report essential abuse risk management information to the board of directors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to actively engage with children in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and sit on the floor throughout the program day.
• Ability to maintain continuous visual and auditory supervision of children.
• Ability to respond quickly to emergencies and changing situations.
• Ability to lift and move up to 40 pounds when necessary.