Community Program Assistant Jobs in Lancaster, PA

Location: Lancaster, PA
Position Type: Part-Time (Approximately 15–20 hours per week, with opportunities for additional hours)
Pay Range: $14–$16 per hour

Do you enjoy working with children but have not yet led a classroom or youth program independently? Snapology of Lancaster is looking for a dependable, enthusiastic Assistant Program Facilitator who is ready to learn.

This entry-level position is designed for someone who has experience being around or working with children but needs training and practice before independently managing a group. Your experience may come from parenting, babysitting, volunteering at church, helping with children’s activities, coaching, caregiving, camp, or another informal or structured setting.

You will begin by assisting experienced Program Facilitators while receiving paid, hands-on training in group management, program delivery, safety procedures, and Snapology’s provided curriculum. As you build your skills and demonstrate readiness, you may advance into an independent Program Facilitator position.

Teaching certification and previous classroom-management experience are not required.

The required regular schedule includes:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM
• Every other Saturday from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Monday and Friday availability from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM is preferred but not required. Employees available for these after-school shifts will typically work approximately 15–20 hours per week. Employees working only the required schedule can expect approximately 12–15 hours per week.

Additional hours may also be available through birthday parties, field trips, camps, school-day programs, special events, and additional Saturday shifts. Employees interested in working every Saturday may be scheduled for additional Saturday hours when programming is available.

A consistent weekly schedule will be established, with minor adjustments possible based on program enrollment and seasonal scheduling.

Assist with Hands-On Programs
Support experienced Program Facilitators as they lead creative building, problem-solving, and collaborative activities for children ages 4–14.

Learn to Lead Programs
Receive paid, hands-on training in giving instructions, keeping children engaged, managing behavior, using provided curriculum, and creating a positive group environment.

Support and Engage Children
Encourage participation, help children with activities, reinforce expectations, and make sure each child feels welcomed and included.

Prepare and Organize Program Spaces
Help set up materials before programs and clean, sort, and organize materials afterward.

Support Safe, Positive Experiences
Assist with supervision and follow Snapology’s safety, behavior-management, and program procedures.

Represent Snapology Professionally
Communicate positively with children, families, coworkers, and community partners.

You will not be expected to lead programs independently when you begin. Training will generally include:

1. Observing and assisting experienced Program Facilitators
2. Leading small portions of programs with support
3. Practicing group-management and program-delivery skills
4. Leading complete programs while being observed
5. Becoming eligible to advance into a Program Facilitator position after demonstrating readiness

Advancement is based on demonstrated skills, reliability, professionalism, and the ability to safely and effectively manage groups of children independently.

Applicants do not need previous classroom-management or independent program-leadership experience. However, they should have experience being around or working with children through parenting, babysitting, caregiving, church activities, volunteering, coaching, camps, childcare, or a similar setting.

• A genuine enjoyment of working with children
• Friendly, patient, encouraging, and dependable
• Willingness to learn group-management and facilitation skills
• Comfortable receiving coaching and feedback
• Ability to communicate clearly and work as part of a team
• Reliable transportation to the Snapology Discovery Center and other local program locations
• Ability to lift and carry program materials weighing up to 20 pounds
• Ability to obtain and maintain all required clearances, including Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Child Abuse, and FBI federal background clearances
• Current Adult and Pediatric CPR, AED, and First Aid certification—or willingness to obtain the required certification after hire
• Dependable, organized, professional, and enthusiastic

• Paid, hands-on training and ongoing coaching
• A consistent part-time schedule
• A defined path toward becoming a Program Facilitator
• Regular opportunities for additional afternoon, Saturday, and seasonal hours
• Provided curriculum, program guides, and materials
• A fun, supportive, team-oriented work environment
• Snapology shirt provided with casual dress expectations
• Valuable experience in child development, group management, education, and program leadership

At Snapology, we believe kids who build things become adults who build things. If you enjoy working with children and want to develop the skills needed to lead fun, meaningful programs, we would love to hear from you!