Join Y Afterschool at Brookside Primary School in Waterbury as a Youth Support Staff and make a lasting impact by providing one-on-one support to a youth participant with individualized needs. In this role, you’ll work closely with the Program Director, program staff, and the child’s family to foster growth, inclusion, and connection. You’ll help adapt activities, guide social-emotional development, and ensure the child can fully participate in all aspects of Y Afterschool.

This is a great opportunity for someone with experience supporting youth with diverse medical or behavioral needs who is passionate about inclusion, compassion, and creating a positive summer experience.

Schedule and Location:
This is a grant constrained position at Brookside Primary School in Waterbury. Y Afterschool support will be Wednesday–Friday from 2:00PM - 6:00 PM, ASAP- early June, on the school calendar.

Why You’ll Love This Job:

• Create Real Impact: Help a child grow, thrive, and feel included.
• Be Part of a Team: Work alongside supportive, mission-driven staff and leadership.
• Model Inclusion: Support a culture of empathy, understanding, and respect for differences.
• Enjoy Y Benefits: Free Y membership, program discounts, meaningful training, and the chance to make a difference.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide one-on-one emotional and behavioral support to a youth participant.
• Maintain constant visual and auditory supervision to ensure safety and inclusion.
• Adapt activities using accessibility tools and differentiated instruction to match the child’s needs.
• Support daily routines, including transitions, hydration, self-care reminders, and sensory breaks.
• Implement positive behavior strategies and follow any Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP).
• Collaborate with leadership to track progress and improve support strategies.
• Communicate regularly with the child’s guardians and the Y Program Director.
• Foster peer inclusion by encouraging positive interactions and modeling respectful behavior.
• Assist with activity setup and clean-up, ensuring any adaptive tools are available.
• Uphold the YMCA’s core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Bring:
• Must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent (Associate degree preferred).
• A minimum of 10 months of experience working 1:1 with youth with medical, behavioral, learning, or social-emotional needs (e.g., paraeducator, behavioral aide, or similar).
• Knowledge of accessibility strategies and positive behavior interventions.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and empathy skills.
• Ability to remain calm and adaptable in changing or challenging situations.
• CPR/First Aid/AED certified or willing to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Must pass a background check and meet all state-licensed camp training requirements.

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.