Job Description

The Group Leader is responsible for providing direct supervision, guidance, and support to a designated group of participants enrolled in the DYCD COMPASS afterschool program. The Group Leader fosters a safe, inclusive, engaging, and nurturing environment that promotes positive youth development, social-emotional learning, academic success, and participant engagement.

The Group Leader serves as a positive role model and mentor, builds meaningful relationships with participants and families, supports implementation of high-quality enrichment activities, and works collaboratively with the Program Director, Assistant Program Director, Activity Specialists, and other program staff to ensure a successful afterschool experience.

This is a part-time, hourly position with a schedule of 15 to 19 hours per week. The after-school program operates on a ten-month schedule from September through June and includes some holiday activities, as well as summer camp programming. Salary Range: $19.00-$21.00

How You'll Be Making a Difference

Youth Development & Participant Supervision

• Provide direct supervision of an assigned group of participants throughout the duration of the program.
• Create and maintain a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants.
• Build positive relationships with participants while serving as a mentor and role model.
• Promote positive youth development and foster participant confidence, leadership, responsibility, and teamwork.
• Utilize positive behavior management techniques and restorative practices to support student success.
• Support participants' social-emotional development through daily interactions and structured activities.

Program Implementation

• Facilitate daily group meetings, transitions, attendance, snack distribution, and dismissal procedures.
• Support implementation of enrichment activities, academic support, recreation, SEL, literacy, STEM, arts, leadership, and healthy living programming.
• Assist Activity Specialists during specialty classes and reinforce participant engagement.
• Encourage active participation in all program activities.
• Support implementation of project-based learning experiences and collaborative group activities.

Classroom Management

• Establish and maintain appropriate behavioral expectations.
• Supervise participants during all program components including transitions, outdoor activities, field trips, meals, and special events.
• Address behavioral concerns using positive intervention strategies.
• Document and report behavioral incidents according to organizational procedures.

Attendance & Participant Records

• Take accurate daily attendance and assist with participant sign-in and dismissal procedures.
• Maintain participant records and required documentation.
• Monitor participant attendance and communicate concerns to site leadership.
• Support participant recruitment and retention efforts.

Family Communication

• Build positive relationships with parents and guardians.
• Communicate participant successes, concerns, and program information to families.
• Encourage family participation in program events and activities.
• Support family engagement initiatives throughout the school year.

Safety & Compliance

• Always ensure participant safety.
• Follow all DYCD, DOE, OCFS, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Maintain appropriate staff-to-participant ratios.
• Report incidents, injuries, safety concerns, or suspected child abuse immediately following organizational protocols.
• Assist in implementing emergency procedures and evacuation plans.
• Collaboration
• Work collaboratively with Program Directors, Assistant Program Directors, Activity Specialists, school staff, and community partners.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and required trainings.
• Assist with program events, family nights, showcases, field trips, and special activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or High School Equivalency required.
• Minimum of two (2) + years of experience working with school-age children in an educational, recreational, childcare, youth development, or afterschool setting preferred.
• Associate's degree or college coursework in Education, Child Development, Psychology, Social Work, Recreation, Human Services, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with diverse populations of children and families.
• Ability to obtain and maintain all required DYCD, DOE, OCFS, and organizational clearances and approvals as a condition of employment.
• Ability to successfully complete all mandatory pre-service and annual training requirements.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment requirements and ongoing compliance with organizational, Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), Department of Education (DOE), and New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) requirements.

Before the first day of work, employees must complete all required onboarding activities, including but not limited to:

• Criminal History Record Check (CHRC), if applicable
• New York State Central Register (SCR) clearance
• Statewide Central Register (SEL) clearance, if applicable
• Comprehensive background screening as required by OCFS, DYCD, and organizational policy
• Department of Health (DOH) requirements, including all required medical documentation, health examinations, immunizations, tuberculosis screening, and any additional health requirements applicable to the position
• Department of Education security clearance, including fingerprinting and PETS authorization, when required
• Completion of all organizational onboarding paperwork and employment documentation
• Employees may not begin working with participants until the organization has verified successful completion of all required clearances, approvals, and onboarding requirements.

Employees must complete all mandatory training requirements, including those required by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), School Age Child Care (SACC) regulations, DYCD, and The Home for Little Wanderers, within thirty (30) days of hire unless an earlier deadline is required by law, regulation, or organizational policy. Employees must maintain all required certifications, clearances, and annual trainings throughout their employment.

Valuing Diversity

We are committed to excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion, while simultaneously creating a culture that supports those values. We believe the differences we bring enhance our ability to provide exceptional service and care to diverse children, families, and communities. Moreover, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging align with our values and our mission to help vulnerable children and their families build permanent, positive change.