After School Lead

Description

Job Description: School Age Program Lead

Position Title: School Age Program Lead

Reports To: Program Coordinator or Center Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Summary

The School Age Program Lead is responsible for planning, implementing, and maintaining an engaging and developmentally appropriate after school program for elementary school-age children. The Program Lead supports the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth of each child while ensuring compliance with all state licensing rules, safety standards, and VHFLC policies. The Program Lead provides active supervision of children and oversees any assigned assistants or volunteers. When the Program Coordinator is not present, the Program Lead maintains responsibility for ensuring the program’s compliance with all applicable rules and licensing conditions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and evaluate daily activities and curriculum that promote the overall development and learning of school-age children.
• Maintain a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and social growth.
• Ensure all materials and activities are age-appropriate, inclusive, and culturally responsive.
• Establish and maintain consistent routines and positive guidance practices that promote responsibility and respect.
• Provide active, direct supervision of assigned groups of children at all times.
• Supervise and support assistant program leaders and volunteers, ensuring they understand their roles and responsibilities.
• Monitor indoor and outdoor environments to ensure safety, cleanliness, and compliance with state and organizational health and safety standards.
• Respond promptly to children’s needs, including administering basic first aid and completing required incident or injury reports.
• Maintain compliance with Oregon licensing rules and all conditions of the program’s certification.
• Communicate effectively and positively with families, sharing regular updates on their child’s progress and experiences.
• Maintain accurate attendance, incident, and program records as required by licensing and organizational standards.
• Participate in required staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
• Model professionalism, teamwork, and reliability within the program and across the organization.

Supervision Requirements

A School Age Program Lead is responsible for:

• The supervision of their assigned group of children at all times;
• The supervision of any assistant program leaders or volunteers assigned to their group; and
• Maintaining compliance with all school-age center rules and licensing conditions when the Program Coordinator is not present.

The Program Lead reports to the Program Coordinator or Center Director and ensures that all program activities align with organizational standards and Oregon state licensing requirements.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must meet all initial and annual training requirements established by the State of Oregon and VHFLC policy.
• Must meet one of the following qualification pathways for Program Leaders:

Option 1:

At least 60 hours of experience working in a school-age program AND

Completion of 20 clock hours of training within the past five years focused on school-age child care, including:

• 5 hours in Understanding and Guiding Behavior (UGB)
• 5 hours in Learning Environments and Curriculum (LEC)
• 5 hours in Human Growth and Development (HGD)
• 5 hours in Program Management (PM)

Option 2:

• At least 240 hours of qualifying experience working with school-age children within the past five years in a certified child care center or comparable group care setting.

Option 3:

An Associate’s degree or higher in one of the following fields:

• Early Childhood Education
• Child Development
• Elementary Education
• Special Education
• Physical Education
• Recreation
• Human Development
• Child and Family Studies
• Home Economics

Option 4:

• Attainment of at least Step 6 on the Oregon Registry.

Additional Requirements:

• Strong understanding of child development and effective classroom management.
• Ability to lead and support staff while maintaining a positive and professional atmosphere.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a busy, active environment.
• Commitment to upholding the mission, values, and policies of VHFLC.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds, bend, kneel, sit on the floor, and move quickly as needed for supervision and safety.
• Work occurs primarily indoors, with frequent outdoor activities and supervision required.
• Frequent standing, walking, and participation in active play.