Houston Program Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Join a team that's creating positive experiences for children and families.

At the YMCA, we're more than a fitness center; we're a community dedicated to strengthening families and supporting youth. As a Childwatch Counselor, you'll play an important role in providing a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for children while their parents or guardians participate in YMCA programs and services. If you enjoy working with children, creating positive experiences, and helping families feel connected to their YMCA, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

As a Childwatch Counselor, you'll create a fun, safe, and inclusive environment where children can enjoy age-appropriate activities during their time in Childwatch. You'll provide attentive supervision, encourage positive interactions, and help ensure every child and family has a welcoming YMCA experience.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Supervision and Safety: Ensure the safety and well-being of all children in a welcoming Childwatch environment by monitoring activities to promote safe, age-appropriate behavior and adherence to YMCA policies at all times. Provide for children's physical needs, including feeding, assisting with restrooms, administering first aid/CPR, and notifying the parents/guardians of necessary diaper changes. Assist with maintaining accurate and up-to-date records such as attendance, incident reports, and compliance documentation. Conduct regular headcounts. Respond promptly and appropriately to emergencies and incidents in alignment with established YMCA protocols and procedures, including emergency preparedness.
2. Behavior Management: Implements positive behavior management techniques that foster a respectful and inclusive environment while addressing the emotional needs of children. Responds to behavioral issues calmly and constructively, following established guidelines, and provides support by soothing distressed children, comforting those who are sick or hurt, redirecting negative behavior, and offering positive reinforcement. Communicates important information or observations to incoming staff regarding individual children and provides an updated list of children currently in attendance.
3. Activity Implementation: Implement a variety of age-appropriate activities, including structured and unstructured activities as outlined in the YMCA-approved curriculum. Encourage and facilitate positive social interactions among children. Adapt activities to meet the diverse needs and interests of all children.
4. Policy Adherence: Follow all organizational policies, protocols, and procedures, including those related to health and safety, child protection, and confidentiality. Maintain a clean and organized environment, adhering to sanitation and safety standards. Report any concerns or issues to the Childwatch Lead or Program Director promptly.
5. Daily Operations. Maintains Childwatch environment by adhering to YMCA of Greater Houston program standards and youth development standards.
6. Leadership: Supervises children under the direction of the Childwatch Lead. Makes sound decisions in alignment with YMCA and youth development standards. Acts as a role model to the children by exemplifying the YMCA's five core values.
7. Relationship Building: Maintains positive relations with children, parents/guardians, center operations, directors, and other staff. Attends and participates in staff meetings and staff trainings.
8. Administrative Duties: Utilizes designated software to accurately check children in and out of Childwatch. Assist with ensuring tablets and all communication devices are fully charged, ready for use, and properly secured when not in use.
9. Child Abuse Prevention: Report suspicious and inappropriate behaviors and policy violations. Follows mandated abuse and incident reporting requirements. Ensures youth are properly signed in and signed out, ensures only authorized adults are allowed in the facility, etc. Adheres to policies related to boundaries with each child. Ensures unused rooms and closets remain locked; routinely monitors high-risk locations (bathrooms), etc.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• At least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) preferred.
• At least 6 months of experience working with youth at a childcare facility, church, school or equivalent (preferred).
• Strong awareness of child safety and the ability to respond to emergency situations appropriately.
• Must be able to successfully pass CPR, First Aid, AED certifications and Child Abuse prevention trainings.
• Ability to engage with children positively and create an environment that fosters learning and respect.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities.
• Previous experience with diverse populations.
• Current record of tuberculosis examination and/or current local health department regulations, examinations, and/or immunization as required by the local or State Department of Health.
• Pass a local/state background and FBI fingerprinting check.
• Team-oriented mindset

Physical & Work Environment Expectations

This is an active, hands-on role that requires standing, walking, bending, reaching, and engaging with children throughout the day. You may occasionally lift up to 50 pounds. Work is primarily indoors with occasional outdoor activities and exposure to active childcare environments, varying noise levels, and routine cleaning products.

Typical Schedule

Part-time schedules are available seven days a week and may include:

• Morning Shift: 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Afternoon Shift: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Evening Shift: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Schedules may vary based on location and operational needs.

Participation in staff meetings, trainings, family events, and YMCA activities may be required with advance notice.

Why the YMCA

When you join the YMCA, you become part of a mission-driven organization focused on strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. As a Childwatch Counselor, you'll help create positive experiences that support families and enhance their YMCA membership experience.

Benefits of Working at the YMCA

• Free YMCA Membership
• Discounts on YMCA programs
• Paid training and professional development opportunities
• Career growth opportunities within the YMCA
• Flexible scheduling
• A supportive, mission-driven team environment
• Meaningful work that positively impacts children and families

The YMCA of Greater Houston provides Equal Employment Opportunities for employment to all employees and applicants, including disability and protected veteran status.