Kids Zone Staff | Waukee Family YMCA

There's nothing like working at the Y!

At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Our staff members are people who drive this cause – it is because of our drive, our passion, our belief in others, and our belief in the strength of our mission that we are able to make a difference – every day.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
Kids Zone Staff will be responsible for nurturing children through purposeful programming dedicated to building achievement, belonging and relationships among youth and within families. Kids Zone Staff work to achieve this by leading and guiding the activities and participants in Kids Zone.

JOB LOCATION: Waukee Family YMCA - Kids Zone
SHIFTS AVAILABLE: 6 - 20 hours a week; weekday mornings and evenings, and weekend shifts available.
PAY RATE: $10.50 - $12.25 / hour, dependent upon experience
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: May 8, 2026 - applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supervise, lead, and provide a safe environment for children in the Kids Zone.
• Assist in planning, organizing, delivering, and cleaning up age and developmentally appropriate curriculum and program activities.
• Demonstrate and teach activities.
• Develop positive relationships with children, parents/caregivers, and co-workers.
• Create a compassionate and nurturing environment for participants by modeling healthy relationships and open communication.
• Follow all policies and procedures, including Operating Standards.
• Know emergency procedures and be able to demonstrate them.
• Learn and attend to special needs of children in our program and understand the concerns of guardians regarding their children. Report specific problems or needs to a supervisor or designated staff person.
• Monitor and maintain program site and equipment by continuously scanning the environment and surrounding areas for potential hazards. Take appropriate action to remove or avoid hazards and report to a supervisor.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisor or designated staff person.
• Demonstrate and support the objectives of the Association as embodied in the mission statement and values.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be 16 years of age or older.
• Ability to read, write and execute simple mathematical functions.
• Perform basic computer skills such as checking in and out participants, computerized time clock, and online training requirements.
• Previous experience in child care or babysitting is preferred.
• Current Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED Certification that meets the YMCA standards OR equivalent - prior to starting.
• Child Abuse Prevention Training - prior to starting if hired and maintained annually.
• Additional training to be completed within the first 30 days and maintained afterwards.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
While performing the responsibilities of this position, the employee is required to talk, hear, sit, stand, walk, crouch, stoop, crawl, use their hands and fingers to handle or feel, reach with arms and hands and lift up to 25 pounds of weight (toddler). Vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision. Visual, auditory and verbal ability is required to communicate effectively with children and adults and monitor property and activity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. This position usually works in indoor and outdoor child care oriented environments, but the mission of the organization may sometimes take them to non-standard workplaces.

Help positively impact children and families in our community and SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPACT YOUR OWN LIFE - experience, knowledge, satisfaction and joy are just some of the ways you'll grow, learn and thrive.

Apply and begin your life changing Y journey TODAY!