YMCA of Austin

Why Your Role Matters

The Youth Program Instructor plays a key role in fostering a positive, energetic, and supportive environment where children ages 3 to 12 can learn cheerleading skills while developing confidence, teamwork, and discipline. Through engaging instruction and mentorship, the instructor helps young participants build physical coordination, self-esteem, and a sense of community. This position is essential in promoting healthy activity and personal growth, inspiring children to achieve their potential both on and off the practice floor.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Plan and deliver engaging cheerleading classes for children ages 3–12, teaching age-appropriate skills such as chants, jumps, basic stunts, and dance routines
• Customize lessons to align with the developmental stage and skill level of each age group to ensure high engagement and progression
• Create a positive, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that builds confidence, teamwork, and a sense of belonging among all participants
• Promote safety by teaching and modeling proper cheer techniques, warm-ups, spotting methods, and injury prevention practices
• Prepare students for performances, community events, and showcases, coordinating choreography, attire, and event logistics
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and readiness of the practice area and cheer equipment, conducting regular safety checks
• Communicate effectively with parents, guardians, and the Program Director regarding student progress, class updates, and upcoming events
• Demonstrate leadership and professionalism, serving as a role model of sportsmanship, respect, and positivity.
• Serve as an ambassador for the organization, representing the YMCA positively to internal and external stakeholders, strengthening relationships and promoting the organization’s impact.
• Be the ultimate storyteller of the YMCA's work and culture, sharing compelling stories that highlight the YMCA's contributions and values to engage and inspire the community.
• Complete other duties as assigned, adapting to additional responsibilities as needed to support the team and organization’s goals, demonstrating flexibility and dedication.

What You Bring to the Y

• Must be at least 16 years of age
• Minimum of one year of experience working with or leading children in a recreational, educational, or athletic setting
• Prior experience in cheerleading, including knowledge of basic motions, jumps, chants, stunts, and dance elements
• Cheer coaching, team leadership, or performance experience is preferred
• Enthusiastic, patient, and passionate about working with children and helping them develop confidence, coordination, and team spirit through cheer
• Ability to lead safe, engaging, and age-appropriate cheer activities that foster skill-building, creativity, and fun
• Strong communication and classroom management skills with a positive and supportive demeanor
• CPR and First Aid certification is preferred (or willingness to obtain)
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus
• You have a growth mindset - You quickly learn from failure and value feedback in the effort to continuously improve.
• You are a team player - You are a team player with a positive, service-oriented attitude and you can work well with others.
• You communicate effectively - You listen for understanding and meaning. You speak and write effectively.
• You are customer focus – You build good customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions.
• You foster a culture of inclusion and belonging - You leverage people’s differences as strengths.

Physical Requirements:

The Youth Program Instructor must be physically capable of demonstrating a variety of cheerleading movements such as jumps, stretches, stunts, and dance routines. This role requires standing, walking, and moving actively for extended periods, often while engaging with children in dynamic and fast-paced environments. The instructor should have the strength and agility to safely assist and spot young participants during physical activities, including the ability to lift or support children when necessary. Good balance, coordination, and quick reflexes are essential to model proper techniques and maintain a safe atmosphere. Additionally, the role involves frequent bending, kneeling, and crouching to provide hands-on guidance and supervision. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.