Physical Activity Specialist, Growing Mindfully

**Date Posted**: November 26th, 2024

**Position Title**: Physical Activity Specialist, Growing Mindfully

**Location**: Bob Chan-Kent Family YMCA (45844 Hocking Ave, Chilliwack, BC V2P 1B4)

**Terms**:Permanent, Part-time (contingent depends on the available program funding)

**Start Date**:January 8th, 2024

**Hours**: Approximately 4 hours per week (Additional time for meeting, reports and coaching)

**Salary**: $25.00 per hour

**Reports To**: Coordinator, Growing Mindfully

**Benefits**: 6% vacation paid, YMCA Staff Membership, and more

**Nature and Scope**:
Growing Mindfully program is a complimentary wellness program designed for youth aged 8-12, aimed at encouraging active lifestyles and teaching healthy coping strategies. The program includes a mental wellness segment, where participants acquire tools and strategies to navigate challenging emotions, and a physical activity segment, which emphasizes the importance of staying active through engaging and supportive activities.

Reporting to the Coordinator of Growing Mindfully, the Growing Mindfully Physical Activity Specialist will work collaboratively with other staff, volunteers, and participants. The Growing Mindfully Physical Activity Specialist is responsible for leading a group of children 8-12 years old through games, sports and physical activity weekly, both indoors and outdoors. They are also responsible for supporting the Mental Wellness Facilitator during the mental wellness portion of the group and for creating a safe and inclusive space for all within groups.

**Major Responsibilities**:

- Intake and assessment of program applicants.
- Facilitate group sessions and create a warm, welcoming and safe group environment.
- Prep, prepare and takedown for weekly group sessions.
- Attends preprogram training, post-program debrief meeting and regular staff meetings
- Support applicants and participants to contact appropriate referrals to community agencies.
- Maintain an atmosphere of achievement that inspires self and others to succeed at highest levels.
- Ensure the safety of all members, participants, staff, and property by following YMCA standards/policies/procedures.
- Other relevant duties as required.

**Qualifications/Experience**:

- Experience working with children ages 8-12 years required.
- Experience working with children who have additional needs e.g. ADHD, Autism, etc. an asset.
- Additional Mental Health and Wellness trainings an asset.
- Energetic, Enthusiastic, and shows a passion for working with children and families
- Holds a current BCRPA/YMCA fitness certification OR has a Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology or related field
- HIGH FIVE® and behavior change training is an asset
- Experience conducting intakes and assessments.
- Demonstrated ability to make sound judgments and decisions, effective prioritizing and problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication and conflict resolution skills.
- High degree of independence and initiative within a team environment.
- First Aid/CPR-C certificate required.

**Competencies**:

- Leadership/Coaching - Ability to direct and develop performance of others to achieve desired result.
- Service Strategy - Ability to identify the needs and wants of members/participants as a priority and respond in an effective and timely manner to enhance every person’s YMCA experience.
- Negotiation/Communication/Interpersonal Skills: Ability to speak, write, listen and secure information in many settings. Ability to cooperate with others to achieve results. Ability to create and build relationships inside and outside the organization.
- Problem Solving - Ability to identify an issue, gather and processes relevant information, determine possible solutions, selects appropriate responses and implements and evaluates them.
- Initiative/Enthusiasm/Innovation - Ability to manage and lead to achieve and exceed identified goals.
- Community Awareness and Understanding - Demonstrates and promotes a personal understanding of and appreciation for the vision, mission, and values of the organization
- Self-Management - ability to appropriately manage one’s own emotions and strong feelings; maintain a calm and tactful composure under a broad range of challenging circumstances; and think clearly and stay focused under pressure. Encompasses self-regulation and mindfulness.
- Teamwork/ Cooperation - ability to work cooperatively and productively with others within and across organizational units to achieve common goals; demonstrate respect, cooperation, collaboration, and consensus-building.

**Situation**:
YMCA BC is a charity dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community, by nurturing the potential of children, teens & young adults, promoting healthy lifestyles, fostering a sense of social responsibility and delivering lasting personal & social change to grow in spirit, mind, and body.

Since January 2023, YMCA of Northern British Columbia, YMCA-YWCA of Kamloops and YMCA