HEAF Program Director

POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE INC•New York, NY

7d•$40 - $40•Onsite

About The Position

The HEAF Program Director oversees the day-to-day operations and implementation of the Police Athletic League of New York City’s afterschool program serving middle and high school students. Reporting directly to PAL’s Chief Operating Officer, the Director leads and supervises program staff, coordinates schedules and site logistics, and ensures programming is delivered effectively, safely, and in alignment with PAL’s mission, program goals, and organizational standards. The Director works closely with the Youthlink Director at the Harlem Center to coordinate activities, support staff development, monitor program quality, and integrate the program into the center’s daily operations. The role helps ensure a positive, engaging, and supportive experience for participants. This position is based at the Harlem Center, 441 Manhattan Avenue, New York, NY, and is scheduled for 15 hours per week. Compensation is $40 per hour. The listed start date is November 2026. Occasional evenings and Saturdays may be required based on program activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, youth development, social services, or a related field.
At least six years of experience in youth programming, including at least three years managing or supervising a team.
Demonstrated ability to manage program operations, schedules, events, budgets, and multiple priorities.
Experience hiring, onboarding, coaching, supervising, and evaluating staff.
Ability to use attendance, participation, and other program information to assess performance and guide improvements.
Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
Availability to work occasional evenings and Saturdays as required by program activities.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with middle and high school students.
Experience with Salesforce or a similar database or program-management platform.
Bilingual Spanish/English skills.

Responsibilities

Manage, coach, and support the HEAF Outreach Coordinator, HEAF Content Specialist, and HEAF Youthlink Specialists.
Lead regular team meetings to review priorities, student needs, program delivery, and follow-up.
Coordinate with the HEAF Content Specialist on staff onboarding, training, and consistent implementation of the program model.
Set performance expectations, observe program sessions, provide timely feedback, and address performance or coverage concerns.
Maintain staffing and coverage plans to ensure program sessions and activities are appropriately supervised.
Own and maintain the program calendar, including in-person sessions, virtual tutoring, college tours, workshops, community events, culmination events, and PAL holidays or site closures.
Ensure program spaces, including three classrooms and the cafeteria used for Culinary Arts, are prepared for each session.
Coordinate student arrival, supervision, snacks, transitions, and dismissal with appropriate PAL site staff.
Coordinate college tours, including transportation, chaperones, campus schedules, and student meals, and work with PAL to confirm participating campuses.
Manage program materials, supplies, and purchases within approved cohort budgets.
Maintain current program procedures and materials, including student and family handbooks, behavior expectations, field trip protocols, and incident-reporting procedures, in alignment with PAL policies.
Ensure activities and curriculum are delivered consistently across middle and high school cohorts.
Monitor attendance, participation, and student engagement with appropriate PAL staff and available program data.
Identify gaps in program delivery or student participation and coordinate timely follow-up and corrective action.
Resolve day-to-day operational and student-support issues, escalating safety concerns and significant incidents under PAL procedures.
Communicate with the COO about program implementation, staffing, operational needs, emerging concerns, and progress toward program goals.