TK/K Support Staff - (Association Wide)

Pay Rate: $17.75 - $23.58

Hours: M-F 7:45am - 2:25pm or 8:45am-3:25pm

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Associate Executive Director, Program Director, Manager, or Coordinator, and in collaboration with Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), the TK/K Support Staff provides instructional, behavioral, and recreational support within Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten classrooms.

Working as an extension of the classroom team, the TK/K Support Staff assists teachers in creating a safe, engaging, and inclusive learning environment that promotes student success. Responsibilities include supporting classroom instruction, supervising small groups and individual students, reinforcing positive behavior strategies, assisting with transitions, facilitating organized play, and helping maintain an orderly classroom environment.

As a YMCA representative on school campuses, TK/K Support Staff also serve as ambassadors of the YMCA by building positive relationships with students, families, school personnel, and the community while promoting YMCA programs and services that support youth and families.

This is a flexible, mobile position and is not permanently assigned to one school, classroom, schedule, or program. Employees may be assigned or moved to different LBUSD campuses, classrooms, YMCA locations, schedules, or programs based on enrollment, staffing, funding, school schedules, program needs, and available work.

OUR CULTURE:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Instructional Support

• Assist classroom teachers with daily instructional activities and classroom routines.
• Provide instructional reinforcement to individual students one-on-one and in small groups under the direction of the classroom teacher.
• Support literacy, math, social-emotional learning, and developmental activities appropriate for TK/K students.
• Assist with classroom organization, preparation of instructional materials, bulletin boards, and learning centers.
• Support students during classroom transitions and daily schedules.

Student Supervision & Behavior Support

• Supervise students in classrooms, playgrounds, cafeterias, recess areas, and other assigned locations.
• Maintain a safe, positive, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment.
• Reinforce classroom expectations using positive behavior intervention and guidance strategies.
• Assist students in developing self-regulation, social skills, independence, and positive peer relationships.
• Observe student behavior and communicate concerns to the classroom teacher and YMCA supervisor.
• Respond appropriately to student behavior, safety concerns, and classroom needs while following YMCA and LBUSD expectations.

Program Support

• Assist in planning and facilitating developmentally appropriate recreational and enrichment activities.
• Coordinate organized games and structured play during recess and lunch periods.
• Support the implementation of classroom activities that align with YMCA and LBUSD standards.
• Assist with special events, classroom celebrations, and school-wide activities as assigned.
• Work at different LBUSD campuses, YMCA locations, classrooms, or programs as assigned.
• Remain flexible with changes in school site, classroom, schedule, supervisor, or program assignment based on program needs.

Communication & Collaboration

• Develop positive working relationships with classroom teachers, principals, office staff, instructional aides, and YMCA leadership.
• Maintain professional communication with families while referring educational concerns to classroom teachers.
• Promote YMCA programs and resources to students and families.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development required by the YMCA and LBUSD.
• Follow the procedures, expectations, and daily routines of the assigned school campus and YMCA program.
• Communicate concerns related to performance, safety, scheduling, campus expectations, or the work environment to a YMCA supervisor.
• Notify a YMCA supervisor immediately of any concern that may affect the employee’s ability to work at an assigned school site.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all YMCA and LBUSD policies, procedures, safety protocols, and youth-protection requirements.
• Maintain appropriate supervision and accountability for assigned students at all times.
• Assist in responding appropriately to accidents, injuries, emergencies, and student health needs, including diapering and toileting.
• Maintain confidentiality of student information and follow district and YMCA expectations regarding student records and privacy.
• Immediately make all required mandated-reporter notifications and inform YMCA leadership when abuse or neglect is known or suspected.
• Maintain all required YMCA and LBUSD clearances, certifications, and trainings.
• Maintain professional conduct and behavior while working at any school or YMCA location.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain attendance records and other required documentation.
• Assist with maintaining classroom supplies and equipment.
• Support classroom organization and cleanliness.
• Accurately record all hours worked, including required meetings, trainings, and travel between assigned work locations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

Mission Advancement: Demonstrates the YMCA’s core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. Supports youth development, family engagement, YMCA programs, and community partnerships.

Collaboration: Builds positive relationships with school staff, families, and colleagues. Values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Communicates effectively and works collaboratively with others.

Operational Effectiveness: Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Maintains accurate records and accountability. Demonstrates sound judgment, problem-solving skills, and flexibility when program or school-site needs change.

Personal Growth: Pursues ongoing professional development, demonstrates openness to feedback and change, and continuously seeks opportunities for learning and improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• Minimum 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to successfully complete and maintain YMCA and LBUSD background clearance, fingerprinting, and campus-access requirements.
• Complete required health and tuberculosis screening and any other job-related screening required by the YMCA or LBUSD.
• Obtain and maintain CPR, First Aid, and AED certification within 60 days of hire.
• Ability to work effectively with young children from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work at various LBUSD campuses and YMCA locations and adjust to changes in school site, classroom, schedule, or program assignment.
• Complete all mandatory YMCA and LBUSD trainings.

Preferred

• Twelve (12) units in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• Six (6) core Child Development units, including Human Growth & Development and Child, Family & Community.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Previous experience working with TK, Kindergarten, preschool, childcare, or expanded learning programs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Build positive relationships with young children.
• Support early childhood instruction using developmentally appropriate practices.
• Maintain a calm, patient, and positive demeanor.
• Use positive behavior-guidance techniques.
• Work independently and collaboratively.
• Communicate effectively with children, families, teachers, school personnel, and supervisors.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Organize classroom materials and activities.
• Adapt to changing priorities, schedules, school assignments, and classroom needs.
• Accept direction and feedback from YMCA leadership and authorized school-site personnel.
• Demonstrate strong customer service, teamwork, and sound judgment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Environmental Factors: Work is performed at various LBUSD campuses, YMCA facilities, classrooms, cafeterias, playgrounds, multipurpose rooms, and other indoor and outdoor school environments. Employees may be exposed to changing weather conditions, moderate to high noise levels, active school settings, bodily fluids, and common childhood illnesses.

Work Location & Assignment: This position does not have a guaranteed permanent worksite, classroom, schedule, or number of hours. Employees may be assigned or moved to different locations based on enrollment, staffing, funding, school schedules, campus availability, employee qualifications, program needs, and available work. LBUSD may request that an employee no longer work at a specific school site due to concerns involving performance, conduct, safety, professionalism, policy compliance, or other site needs. The YMCA will review the situation and determine the next steps. When possible, the YMCA may consider another available assignment for which the employee is qualified; however, another location, schedule, number of hours, or position cannot be guaranteed. If another appropriate assignment is not available, the employee’s schedule, hours, or employment may be affected. Employees may also be required to travel between assigned sites during the workday and must follow YMCA timekeeping and mileage procedures.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those needed to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, listen, reach, grasp, and handle classroom materials. The employee frequently bends, kneels, squats, crouches, and sits on the floor with young children. The employee must be able to move quickly and respond appropriately during emergencies, observe student activity and safety concerns, and occasionally lift, carry, push, pull, or move up to 40 pounds. The employee may also assist students with diapering, toileting, and other personal-care needs in accordance with training and safety procedures.

This job description provides a general overview of the position. Duties, schedules, work locations, reporting relationships, and assignments may change based on YMCA and program needs.