Program Assistant Jobs in Burlington, VT (NOW HIRING)

Description

Are you passionate about community, youth development, and healthy living? The Y, a leading non-profit, is looking for afterschool staff to support our mission of creating fun, diverse, and stimulating programming for Vermont's youth.

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading non-profit dedicated to fostering community growth through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. As a Y Afterschool Staff member, you'll play a vital role in assisting the Y Program Director in overseeing and implementing enriching programs for children aged five (5) to twelve (12).

Location: The Greater Burlington Y

Schedule: This position runs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday with the program beginning at 2:00PM and ending at 6:00PM, and Wednesday 1:00pm-6:00pm with the exception of early release days (once a month) and vacation camps. The expected start date for this role is August 24, 2026.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Impactful Work: You help children by serving as their role-model. Through your behavior, guidance, and mentorship, you help shape the values, attitudes, and aspirations of young people, contributing to their long-term development.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for learning, paid professional development, and free career advancement.
• Y Perks: Free Y membership and discounts on programs and camps. Free group exercise classes.
• Support Families: You are a vital part of a family's day. Giving children a safe and consistent environment where families know they are in good hands.
• Community Building: Our programs bring together children from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of community and belonging. You get to be part of a thriving community that promotes inclusivity and diversity promoting a more cohesive and supportive community.
• Engaging Environment: Join a fun, collaborative team that values your contributions and ideas.

What You'll Do:

• Ensure Safety: Maintain continuous visual and auditory supervision of participants. Keep spaces clean and organized. Take attendance, perform head counts, and execute emergency procedures as needed.
• Engage: Participate in all aspects of the program activities to include interactive sessions such as swimming or field trips. Deliver program content in a dynamic, fun, and relatable manner.
• Grow: Maintain all necessary professional development requirements including first aid and CPR, Vermont Orientation, and Mandated Reporting. Work with Director to ensure up to date documentation of personal file and Building Bright Futures Information System (BFIS) account.
• Support: Communicate any concerns to the Y Program Director before discussing with families to ensure a unified approach. Be flexible and willing to substitute at other afterschool sites when needed. Provide valuable support in executing programming.
• Collaborate: Attend and actively contribute staff development meetings, offering creative ideas to enhance program quality. Be part of planning and executing diverse programming.
• Be a Professional: Approach working with participants and sensitive issues with a mature and compassionate demeanor. Communicate with a respectful and positive attitude with staff, parents or guardians, and participants. Accurately maintain time cards.

Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to be eligible for the starting rate of $18.00/hour . Additional compensation is determined based on experience and education aligned with the preferred qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Highschool diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to pass a federal background check and state fingerprinting.
• At least 6 months of experience working with children.
• Have reliable transportation for consistent attendance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with children in an educational, recreational, or programmatic setting, with milestones recognized at 2,5,10,15+ years
• Associate or bachelor's degree in any field.
• At least 3 college credits in education, child development, human services, or a related field.
• 2+ years of direct experience in special education or behavioral intervention.
• Formal training or certification experience in trauma-informed care, basic specialized care, or social work. Including completion of professional development or coursework in trauma-informed practices.
• Completion of DEI-specific training, coursework, or certification, with a minimum of 40 hours or the equivalent of a college course.
• Completion of any of the following: Vermont Afterschool Foundations Certificate, Vermont Afterschool Essentials Certificate, Vermont On-the-Job Training Certificate, Vermont Afterschool Professional Credential.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands described here are representative of those necessary for the role and are essential to ensuring the safety and well-being of children in our care. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.This position takes place in an active school setting and requires the employee have:

• Ability to effectively supervise and ensure the safety of children by maintaining visual and auditory awareness in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Ability to lift, carry, or support children and program materials up to 40 pounds as needed for care, safety, and activity setup.
• Ability to engage in active participation in all aspects of the program, including games, crafts, gym time, and outdoor play. Ability to move throughout school and program spaces, including classrooms, playgrounds, and common areas.
• Ability to stand and stay active for long periods, including frequent movement such as kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching, and reaching.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to the physical and emotional needs of children, including in emergency situations.
• Ability to adapt to changing environments, schedules, and group dynamics in a fast-paced, high-energy setting.