Program Director - Armory Center

POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE INC•New York, NY

8d•$48,000 - $50,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Police Athletic League (PAL) of New York City is an independent youth development nonprofit organization that has been serving children and young adults since 1914. PAL operates diverse programs including Head Start, after-school programs, summer day camps, teen centers, college readiness programs, youth employment, and juvenile justice programs. PAL is seeking SONYC School Program Directors to enhance its out-of-school programming within New York City public schools or PAL Centers. These roles will serve youth from Elementary through High School, focusing on SEL, STEM, Literacy, Sports, Arts, Mental Health, and College and Career Access Programming. The Armory Center Program Director is a key on-site supervisor responsible for managing all programming and relationships with youth, parents, the school community, and the broader community. This role requires creativity in programming, strong supervisory skills, and talent development abilities. Familiarity with SACC regulations and DYCD funding requirements is advantageous. Directors will collaborate with various city agencies and community organizations, emphasizing listening, problem-solving, and partnership building to expand opportunities for NYC youth. Candidates must be committed to learning and implementing Best Practices in youth development, be available to work evenings and weekends, support the ideas of youth, staff, and the community, possess excellent communication and listening skills, and work collaboratively to support PAL's citywide programming.

Requirements

An associate's in child development, education, physical education or recreation or related and two years of direct experience working with youth under 13 OR a NYS Children’s Program Administrator Credential and 2 years of experience working with youth under 13 OR a SACC Credential and 2 years of experience working with youth under 13 OR two years in college with 18 credits in child development, education, physical education or recreation or related and two years of direct experience working with youth under 13.
A minimum of 4 years of demonstrated successful experience in a supervisory position providing services to youth that includes program management and staff supervision with at least three years in a leadership capacity.
Demonstrated skills in program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Open to learning and growing. All staff will be learning mental health, SEL, and special needs inclusion skills and expected to integrate them into programming.
Knowledge of DYCD Connect preferred.
Microsoft office skills are required.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.
Able to travel to any PAL location in the 5 Boroughs for training.

Nice To Haves

Bi-lingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese preferred.

Responsibilities

Foster social and emotional competencies and mental and physical well-being in a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment.
Manage all aspects of PAL Teen Afterschool Programming including overseeing the implementation of mental health support and inclusion coordination.
Use identified resources to support youth with special needs and/or mental health needs, complete mental health referrals, and/or activate inclusion resources.
Recruit, hire, and provide excellent supervision and support to all part-time Group Leaders and Activity Specialists, Outreach Coordinators, and Content Specialists.
Ensure the program is aligned to strategic objectives of PAL, policies and procedures, agency programming calendar, SACC regulations, and the contractual obligations of government and private funding sources including fire safety certification.
Develops a strong Youth Development culture within the Center ensuring voice, growth, and advancement for all youth and staff.
Train, conduct observations, and coach across all programs ensuring SEL, mental health, and inclusion policies are being implemented as designed.
Coordinates with the Principal, Director, Regional Director, SYEP Director, and Head Quarters staff to grow creative programming opportunities unique to the Site.
Collects program data, analyzes and drives PAL forward with data driven recommendations.
Ensure strong reciprocal partnerships with NYPD, NYCPS school partner, DYCD, DOH and other Community partners aligned with PAL’s mission.
Plans and coordinates various citywide programs, activities, and special events.
Assists in the development of future funding grants and requests for proposals.
Provides mediation and troubleshooting for on-site issues.
Respond appropriately when time-sensitive mental health services are needed such as suicide prevention, grief, and loss due to death or incarceration of a family member.