Content Specialist-DYCD COMPASS

Our Open • New York, NY

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Content Specialist, based in the Bronx, is responsible for supporting program quality, curriculum implementation, staff coaching, and instructional support across The Home’s DYCD-funded COMPASS programs. This position will support three DYCD COMPASS program sites and work collaboratively with Program Directors to ensure activities align with Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) requirements, organizational expectations, and youth development best practices. The Content Specialist provides ongoing support to instructors, activity specialists, group leaders, and program staff through coaching, lesson plan review, activity development, classroom observations, and professional development. This position helps ensure that participants receive engaging, high-quality programming that promotes academic enrichment, social-emotional development, leadership, youth engagement, and positive youth development outcomes. The Content Specialist will primarily support DYCD-funded programs and may periodically provide professional development and technical assistance to staff participating in 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) and other expanded learning programs.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree required
• Minimum of three (3) + years of experience in youth development, afterschool programming, curriculum development, education, instructional coaching, or a related field.
• Experience developing lesson plans, enrichment activities, or educational programming.
• Experience facilitating trainings and supporting staff development.
• Knowledge of positive youth development principles and social-emotional learning practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, presentation software, and virtual training platforms is required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred in Education, Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Childhood Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Youth Development, Recreation, Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field.
• Experience conducting observations, coaching staff, or monitoring program quality preferred.
• Experience working in DYCD COMPASS, 21st CCLC, afterschool, educational, or youth development programs preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular site visits to observe activities and monitor program quality across assigned DYCD COMPASS sites.
• Support Program Directors in implementing high-quality youth development programming.
• Review lesson plans and provide feedback to instructors, activity specialists, and group leaders.
• Assist Program Directors in developing activity schedules that align with DYCD content areas and program goals.
• Support implementation of evidence-based youth development and social-emotional learning practices.
• Monitor participant engagement and provide recommendations to improve program quality and activity participation.
• Assist Program Directors in ensuring activities are developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and engaging.
• Support implementation of continuous quality improvement initiatives across assigned sites.
• Develop and maintain activity resources, lesson plan templates, and enrichment materials that align with DYCD requirements.
• Support staff in developing engaging, hands-on, project-based learning experiences.
• Identify and share evidence-based practices and instructional strategies with program staff.
• Assist Program Directors in planning activities that support: Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Academic Enrichment, Literacy, STEM/STEAM, Leadership Development, Healthy Living and Physical Activity, College and Career Awareness, Civic Engagement.
• Ensure activities support positive youth development principles and participant learning outcomes.
• Provide coaching and support to instructors, activity specialists, and frontline program staff.
• Model effective facilitation techniques, classroom management strategies, and youth engagement practices.
• Observe staff performance and provide constructive feedback to improve instructional quality.
• Identify staff development needs and collaborate with Program Directors to provide targeted support.
• Facilitate professional development workshops and trainings for DYCD COMPASS staff.
• Support onboarding and orientation of newly hired program staff.
• Periodically provide professional development opportunities and technical assistance to 21st CCLC staff and other expanded learning programs.
• Assist Program Directors in preparing for DYCD monitoring visits, audits, and quality reviews.
• Support compliance with DYCD program quality standards and contractual requirements.
• Ensure lesson plans, activity schedules, and instructional materials align with funder expectations.
• Assist in maintaining documentation related to program quality initiatives and staff development activities.
• Meet regularly with Program Directors to review program quality goals, participant engagement, and staff development needs.
• Collaborate with Program Directors to address areas requiring improvement and develop action plans.
• Participate in meetings with the Assistant Program Manager and Program Manager to discuss program quality trends, staff development needs, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with organizational leadership, school partners, and community partners as needed.
• Participate in organizational meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree