Elementary Program Director (Wave Prep Elementary - Far Rockaway)
About The Position
The Elementary Program Director oversees and manages all aspects of PAL’s elementary school afterschool programming at Wave Preparatory Elementary School in Far Rockaway. The Director fosters a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment that supports young people’s social-emotional competencies and mental and physical well-being. The role includes implementing mental health support and inclusion coordination, connecting youth with special-needs or mental-health resources, and responding to time-sensitive needs such as suicide prevention, grief, and loss. The Director recruits, supervises, supports, trains, observes, and coaches program staff, and builds a youth-development culture that encourages voice, growth, and advancement for youth and staff. The position works with school leadership, PAL colleagues, government partners, NYPD, and community organizations to develop site-specific programming and strong partnerships. It also involves program planning and evaluation, data collection and recommendations, citywide events, grant and proposal development, and on-site mediation and troubleshooting. The Director reports to the Program Supervisor and must be able to support programming during the day, evenings, and weekends. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with nights and weekends as needed.
Requirements
- An associate degree in child development, education, physical education, recreation, or a related field and two years of direct experience working with youth under 13; OR a NYS Children’s Program Administrator Credential and two years of experience working with youth under 13; OR a SACC Credential and two years of experience working with youth under 13; OR two years of college with 18 credits in child development, education, physical education, recreation, or a related field and two years of direct experience working with youth under 13.
- At least four years of demonstrated successful supervisory experience providing youth services, including program management and staff supervision, with at least three years in a leadership capacity.
- Demonstrated skills in program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Must be cleared by DOHMH and PETS to work in School Aged Child Care programs.
- Microsoft Office skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively.
- Ability to support programming during the day, evenings, and weekends.
- Ability to travel to PAL locations across the five boroughs for training.
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with SACC regulations and DYCD funding requirements.
- Knowledge of DYCD Connect.
- Bilingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese.
Responsibilities
- Foster social-emotional competencies and mental and physical well-being in a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment.
- Manage all aspects of PAL Elementary School Afterschool Programming, including mental health support and inclusion coordination.
- Identify and use resources for youth with special needs or mental health needs, complete mental health referrals, and activate DYCD inclusion resources when appropriate.
- Recruit, hire, supervise, and support part-time Group Leaders, Activity Specialists, Administrative Assistants, and Content Specialists.
- Ensure programming aligns with PAL’s strategic objectives, policies and procedures, agency calendar, SACC regulations, funding obligations, and fire-safety certification requirements.
- Develop a strong youth-development culture that supports voice, growth, and advancement for youth and staff.
- Train, observe, and coach staff across programs to ensure SEL, mental health, and inclusion policies are implemented as designed.
- Coordinate with school and PAL leadership and headquarters staff to create programming opportunities suited to the site.
- Collect and analyze program data and make data-driven recommendations.
- Build reciprocal partnerships with NYPD, NYCPS, DYCD, DOH, and community partners in alignment with PAL’s mission.
- Plan and coordinate citywide programs, activities, and special events.
- Assist with developing funding grants and requests for proposals.
- Mediate and troubleshoot on-site issues.
- Respond appropriately to time-sensitive mental health needs, including suicide prevention and grief or loss related to a family member’s death or incarceration.
- Support programming that takes place during the day, evenings, and weekends.
- Travel to PAL locations across the five boroughs for training.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Flexible spending account options
- Employee assistance program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Pet insurance
- Life insurance
- Retirement savings options
- Generous paid time off policy
- Training
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
Associate degree
