Junior Coders Instructor in Montclair, New Jersey at Montclair YMCA

Behavioral Assessment Link

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Enrichment & Family Director, the Junior Coders Instructor provides basic instruction and implements program curriculum in the area of their expertise. For Junior Coders, the instructor provides age-appropriate coding, robotics, technology, and problem-solving activities for children ages 4-6 through hands-on, creative, and play-based learning.

OUR CULTURE: 

At the YMCA of Montclair, we strive to be the Employer of Choice, provide World-Class Service, and be the Charity of Choice. Our goal is to be a place where employees are empowered and excited to come to work. All staff ensure that members experience customer centric, individual attention each and every day. We strive to be the preferred partner collaborating with others, identifying and meeting our community needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Implements curriculum within the established guidelines set by the Enrichment & Family Director.
• Designs and implements age-appropriate Junior Coders lesson plans for children ages 4–6.
• Introduces children to foundational coding concepts including sequencing, patterns, following directions, cause and effect, problem-solving, logical thinking, spatial awareness, and simple algorithms.
• Uses hands-on, play-based activities to introduce coding concepts rather than relying solely on traditional computer-based instruction.
• Incorporates age-appropriate coding materials, games, manipulatives, building sets, coding cards, programmable toys, beginner robotics, tablets/computers, and other approved technology or educational resources into lessons as appropriate.
• Creates and leads engaging coding challenges that encourage children to explore, experiment, make predictions, test solutions, and try again.
• Provides opportunities for children to practice "debugging" by identifying mistakes and finding simple solutions.
• Designs activities that encourage creativity, teamwork, communication, and early computational thinking.
• Uphold the YMCA of Montclair commitment to caring for individuals and families, with a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
• Engages with each student and maintains effective control of class.
• Makes ongoing, observations of each child and is able to report to parents and the Enrichment & Family Director
• Reports back to the Enrichment & Family Director in a timely manner regarding any issues.
• Maintains studios, supplies, and equipment; includes letting director know about supplies in a timely manner.
• Attends and participates in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training.
• Volunteers for events throughout the year: Fall Family Festival, Healthy Kids Day, Strong Kids Campaign.
• Able to work within set guidelines for class preparation time.
• Maintains accurate attendance for YMCA records.
• Exhibits personal and professional behavior in a manner consistent with the best interest of the Association, so as not to bring discredit to the Association.
• Demonstrates and models the YMCA’s four core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
• Performs such other job-related duties as may be periodically assigned by the SOPA Director
• Cooperates, work effectively and congenially with all YMCA staff members, volunteers, and members of the Association.
• Promote a safe, inclusive and engaging environment for children participating in youth classes
• Ensuring all children are checked in by staff members upon arrival following department SOP’s and the records maintained on file for reference.
• Engage and lead age-appropriate activities for assigned group of children.
• Assist the children in providing for their physical needs.
• Adhere to policies related to boundaries with members, volunteers, staff, and participants.
• Attend required Abuse Risk Management training and adhere to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising members and participants.
• Report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations and follow mandated abuse reporting procedures.
• Ensure members, volunteers and vendors are properly signed in and signed out, ensure only authorized employees, members, volunteers, and vendors are allowed in the facility.
• Use initiative to play, read and interact with infants and children.
• Following department SOP’s, sanitize toys at least once a day within accordance of DOH guidelines.
• Communicate with leadership on duty as needed
• Supervise the overall play area, ensuring the safety of the children.
• Familiarity with and ability to implement emergency procedures.
• Clear and friendly communication with parents, explaining protocols, and how they will communicate with if needed.
• Conduct regular check of first aid supplies and restock as needed.
• Maintain a safe work environment, free of clutter, debris and hazardous conditions.
• Report all accidents and incidents involving participants or staff to Leadership on duty and Enrichment & Family Director
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

• Values
• Inclusion
• Relationships
• Quality Results
• Communication
• Communication & Inclusion
• Emotional Maturity

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Expertise in a specified subject area
• HS/GED required
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Prior working with children, preferably in a group setting.
• CPR/AED preferred must be completed within the first 90 days of employment.
• Excellent human relation skills, good organizational and communication skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the mission of the YMCA.
• Must be able to follow directions and adhere to policies and procedures.