Youthlink Activity Specialist - Life Skills (Harlem Center)
About The Position
The Police Athletic League (PAL) of New York City is seeking Part Time Life Skills Activity Specialists to facilitate high-quality social-emotional learning and wellness programming for high school youth. The role involves delivering stress management and wellness workshops using NYC Department of Health curriculum, creating supportive spaces for teens to develop coping strategies, strengthen self-awareness, and build healthy relationships. Specialists will provide mentorship and follow-up support to youth experiencing social-emotional challenges, working closely with program leadership and support systems. The ideal candidate is compassionate, dependable, and skilled at building trust with teens, facilitating meaningful conversations, and supporting youth in developing essential life skills.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Currently enrolled in college coursework in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Human Services, Education, Public Health, or a related field.
- Knowledge of adolescent development, social-emotional learning, mental health awareness, and youth wellness practices.
- Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.
- 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.
- Able to work 15 hours per week (Tuesday to Saturday 3 hours a day).
- Able to attend 15 hours of orientation prior to the beginning of programming and complete 30 hours of Building Resiliency in Youth training.
- Able to attend scheduled staff meetings, DOH coaching meetings, and professional development throughout the year.
Nice To Haves
- Minimum of two years of experience working with high school-aged youth in after-school, mentoring, educational, community-based, or youth development settings preferred.
- Experience facilitating workshops, group discussions, or activities focused on stress management, coping skills, wellness, or personal development preferred.
- 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.
- Facilitate stress management, wellness, and life skills workshops using NYC Department of Health-designed curriculum and other approved social-emotional learning resources to support youth resilience, coping skills, and overall well-being.
- Collaborate with program staff, school personnel, mental health professionals, and community partners to support youth wellness, maintain appropriate documentation, and ensure programming reflects the needs of participating teens.
- Be aware of students with IEPs and medical conditions in your groups and follow support plans to help the student with special needs to thrive.
- 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.
- Provide referrals to appropriate mental health services as needed.
- Work cooperatively with Group Leaders, professional staff, teachers, and other Program and school staff.
- Build positive relationships with youth and caretakers and serve as a role model with respect to demeanor, communication, and behavior.
- Attend meetings with staff, caretakers, volunteers, and community residents as needed.
- Interact with caretakers and keep open lines of communication.
Benefits
- health insurance
- flexible spending account options
- an employee assistance program
- tuition reimbursement
- pet insurance
- life insurance
- retirement savings options
- a generous paid time off policy
- training
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
