Youth Staff OR Kid’s Club Coordinator – Junior Guest Activity Support
cruise ship jobs
Available Locations:
cape town, Western Cape
Job Description
Job Summary
Cruise Ship Jobs is seeking energetic, safety‑minded and highly organized Youth Staff / Kid’s Club Coordinators to create memorable, developmentally appropriate experiences for children and teens onboard a leading international cruise line. You’ll design and deliver daily activity programs (arts & crafts, STEM, themed parties, sports, scavenger hunts, character meet & greets, etc.), ensure the highest standards of safeguarding and guest service, and work closely with Entertainment, Housekeeping, and Medical teams to keep our youngest guests engaged, safe, and smiling from embarkation to disembarkation.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, lead, and supervise age-segmented activities (typically 6 months–17 years) in line with brand standards and safeguarding policies.
- Ensure child safety & welfare at all times: strict check-in/check-out procedures, ratio management, incident reporting, and adherence to company safeguarding protocols.
- Deliver memorable programming: themed events, sea-day camps, port-day care, movie nights, talent shows, STEM/edu-tainment, and holiday celebrations.
- Communicate with parents/guardians professionally: program orientation, behavior management updates, special needs accommodation, and incident follow-ups.
- Maintain immaculate facilities: playrooms, equipment, toys, and materials—daily cleaning, inventory control, and hygiene standards.
- Accurately complete documentation: attendance logs, incident/accident reports, medical referrals, and handovers.
- Support ship-wide operations: crowd control at gangways/musters, embarkation day assistance, safety drills, and occasional general entertainment duties.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Entertainment, F&B, Housekeeping, Medical, Security, and HR to deliver a seamless guest experience.
- Uphold brand values: inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and outstanding guest service at every interaction.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (or diploma) in Early Childhood Education, Recreation, Psychology, Education, Hospitality, Leisure Management, or related field (or equivalent ship/land-based youth work experience).
- Verified experience working with children/teens in camps, schools, childcare centers, resorts, or cruise lines.
- Strong safeguarding mindset with knowledge of child protection, behavior management, and developmental stages.
- First Aid & CPR (infant/child) certification—or willingness to obtain prior to joining.
- Excellent communication & interpersonal skills with diverse cultures, age groups, and family structures.
- Fluency in English (spoken & written). Additional languages (Spanish, Italian, German, French, Portuguese, Mandarin, etc.) are a plus.
- Comfort with long contracts at sea, working 7 days a week on split shifts.
- Clean background check suitable for working with minors.
- Valid passport (minimum 12 months’ validity). Ability to obtain visas/seafarer documents (e.g., C1/D, Seaman’s Book) as required.
- Familiarity with STCW Basic Safety Training, Crowd Management, and Security Awareness (advantage; can be completed pre-joining if required).
Experience
- Minimum 1–2 years hands-on youth programming or childcare experience (camp counselor, teacher, recreation leader, activity coordinator, etc.).
- Prior cruise ship or resort/hotel kids club experience is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to design and run age-appropriate curricula and handle challenging behavior calmly and professionally.
Working Hours
- Typical seagoing schedule of 70–84 hours per week, 7 days on during the contract.
- Split shifts, evenings, weekends, holidays, and port/sea days as rostered.
- Contract lengths commonly 6–8 months onboard followed by ~2 months vacation (may vary by brand/itinerary).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Child development & behavior management best practices.
- Program planning & facilitation for multiple age brackets.
- Crisis response & incident reporting accuracy.
- Cultural intelligence and inclusive programming.
- Strong organizational skills: scheduling, record-keeping, inventory.
- Energetic stage presence and confidence leading large groups.
- Creative problem-solving in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
- Basic IT/admin proficiency (MS Office/Google Suite, scheduling tools, POS/check-in systems).
Benefits
- Competitive tax-free salary (paid monthly onboard or as per company policy).
- Free accommodation & meals onboard during contract.
- Global travel and multi-destination itineraries—wake up in a new country regularly.
- Medical coverage while onboard, plus repatriation insurance.
- Uniforms provided by the company.
- Professional certifications & training (safeguarding, first aid, STCW, security).
- Career growth pathways into Entertainment Leadership, Training, or Shoreside Youth Programming roles.
- Multi-cultural team experience and lifelong networking opportunities.
Why Join
- Make a real impact on family vacations—crafting unforgettable memories for kids and teens.
- Accelerate your career with structured training, multinational teams, and rapid responsibility growth.
- See the world while doing what you love—teaching, entertaining, and inspiring young minds.
- Be part of a safety-first, guest-obsessed culture that values creativity, empathy, and professionalism.
How to Apply
- Submit your CV/resume highlighting youth/childcare/recreation experience.
- Include copies of relevant certifications (First Aid/CPR, STCW, teaching/childcare licenses, etc.) or note your readiness to obtain them.
- Provide two professional references who can attest to your work with children.
- If shortlisted, you’ll complete:
- A virtual interview & activity facilitation demo
- Background and medical checks (including fitness-for-duty)
- Document & visa processing guidance from our recruitment/crewing team
Apply now: Send your application to careers@cruiseshipjobs.example with the subject line “Youth Staff / Kid’s Club Coordinator – [Your Name]”.