Youth & family coordinator

Job Details:

Job Location: Hobart Family YMCA - Hobart, IN

Position Type: Part Time

Salary Range: Undisclosed, Pay starting $17.00 and up based on experience

Help Create Experiences Where Kids and Families Thrive – Join Our Team as a Youth & Family Coordinator!

Position Summary

At the YMCA, we believe every child deserves a safe, welcoming place to learn, grow, and belong. As a Youth & Family Coordinator, you will help create engaging programs and positive experiences for children and families while supporting the team members who make those programs possible. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines direct work with children, staff support, program coordination, and administrative responsibilities. You will spend approximately 80% of your time providing direct service while helping ensure programs are safe, engaging, well-staffed, and aligned with YMCA standards.

What Success Looks Like

Successful Youth & Family Coordinators:

• Create a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and fun environment for children.
• Build positive relationships with children, parents, families, and team members.
• Lead by example while working directly alongside program staff.
• Support staff through onboarding, training, coaching, and ongoing feedback.
• Help programs run smoothly while maintaining appropriate staff-to-child ratios.
• Create engaging activities that encourage creativity, collaboration, and fun.
• Respond professionally and promptly to parent questions or concerns.
• Model the YMCA's mission, values, and commitment to serving all.

What You'll Be Doing

Youth Programming & Direct Service

Spend approximately 80% of your time in direct service, actively working with children and supporting programs. Provide shift supervision and help ensure smooth day-to-day program operations. Create a nurturing and safe environment for all program participants. Lead structured and engaging activities that promote creativity, teamwork, and fun. Adapt activities based on children's ages, interests, and needs while maintaining program goals. Help maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios. Support the successful onboarding of new children and families. Assist with planning, developing, and implementing youth and family events.

Team Leadership & Development

Support the Director with training, supervising, and developing program staff and volunteers. Assist with recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and developing team members. Provide staff with ongoing feedback, coaching, guidance, and support. Assist with performance evaluations and corrective action when necessary. Help ensure programming and procedures are delivered consistently. Create a positive team environment focused on safety, inclusion, accountability, and quality.

Family & Community Engagement

Build collaborative and positive relationships with parents and families. Respond to questions, concerns, and complaints in a timely and professional manner. Model strong relationship-building through YMCA Listen First practices. Support YMCA campaign efforts and donor engagement. Help create an environment where children and families feel welcomed, connected, and supported.

Program & Administrative Support

Complete administrative responsibilities including recordkeeping, filing, forms, scheduling, and payroll. Ensure required program paperwork and documentation are completed accurately. Monitor program supplies and equipment and help coordinate necessary maintenance. Follow YMCA policies, procedures, and safety expectations. Use Office 365 and YMCA systems to support program operations. Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Should Know Before Applying

This is a hands-on position that combines leadership responsibilities with significant direct interaction with children. Youth & Family Coordinators aren't just overseeing programs—they are actively participating in them, supporting staff, engaging with families, and stepping in wherever needed to create a positive experience.

You May Enjoy This Role If You:

• Love working with children and helping them learn, grow, and have fun.
• Enjoy creating activities and finding new ways to keep kids engaged.
• Like coaching and supporting other team members.
• Are comfortable communicating with parents and families.
• Can stay organized while managing several responsibilities at once.
• Are able to adapt when plans or children's needs change.
• Enjoy being active and involved rather than sitting behind a desk all day.
• Want to build leadership experience in youth development and programming.

Challenges of the Role

• Balancing direct service with leadership and administrative responsibilities.
• Managing the different needs, personalities, and behaviors of children across age groups.
• Responding calmly and appropriately to behavioral, safety, staffing, or parent concerns.
• Maintaining appropriate staff-to-child ratios and program coverage.
• Staying engaged and attentive in an active and sometimes loud environment.
• Adjusting activities and plans based on the needs of the group.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of related experience.
• Experience working with children of different ages and backgrounds.
• Ability to create a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment for children.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while also collaborating effectively with a team.
• Ability to respond appropriately to safety and emergency situations.
• Proficiency with Office 365 and ability to learn YMCA systems.
• Ability to effectively engage with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Completion of required YMCA onboarding, safety, child protection, behavior management, service, and leadership trainings within established timeframes.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, and move throughout the workday.
• Ability to actively participate in children's activities and programming.
• Visual, auditory, and verbal ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to maintain a high level of alertness, concentration, and initiative.
• Ability to work in a moderate to occasionally loud environment.
• Must maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.

Benefits at Crossroads YMCA

When you join Crossroads YMCA, you'll enjoy benefits that support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth, including:

• Free individual YMCA membership
• Discounts on YMCA programs
• Voluntary 403(b) retirement savings plan
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Career growth opportunities

Our Mission

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.