Program Director

$32.97 to $35.71 / hour

Position Summary

The Program Director role is located at our Mirabal Sisters Campus site and is responsible for the management and supervision of programs such as the Extended Day Program, Summer Camp, Holiday Program and support the Community School strategy. We are committed to ensuring that there are no boundaries to young people's aspirations and no limits to their potential. We do this by implementing the agency mission, goals, and objectives. We aim to cultivate a strong foundation for success in all of our participants and the community through innovative and effective social-emotional, academic, family, health and wellness services. The incumbent will understand and promote the organization's Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with the functions of the position.

Children's Aid Mission

To help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Children's Aid annually serves children and their families at over 40 sites in New York, as well as through three national program models. Children's Aid is concentrating its efforts on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with a focus on children's health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development.

Culture and Values

We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate the voices of children, youth and families in all that we do.

We seek equity and transformation in our communities: We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth and families.

We strive for excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

We are powered by collaboration: Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve.

We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Management

• Responsible for the management and supervision of the After-School, Holiday, and Summer Day Camp, and other special programs involving students in the Community School.
• Responsible for the supervision of the Summer Youth Employment Program.
• Develop, plan, and implement quality and innovative youth programming based on organization goals that employs youth development principles and practices, as well as a holistic approach to expose youth to new experiences that meet their social-emotional needs.
• Obtain all related licenses required to operate After-School and Summer Camp programs within compliance and agency guidelines.
• Create, organize, and maintain confidential Client & Staff files.
• Interview, hire, supervise and evaluate After-School program and Summer Camp program staff.
• Model appropriate child, youth, and adult development practices, and handle behavior concerns as needed.

Communications

• Perform Youth Outreach.
• Develop relationships with parents through parent involvement strategies and regular communication.
• Work collaboratively with other agency youth programs and community partners.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships between COMPASS program and relevant community groups, school administrators, public officials, funders, parents, and other critical stakeholders and represent the organization to community boards, other institutions, agencies, and organizations.

Scheduling

• Plan and schedule educational and fun trips to expose youth to new experiences that foster learning and academic success.
• Facilitate staff development workshops, orientations, meetings and trainings on educational enrichment initiatives for CA After-School programs.
• Organize and implement program calendar, events, workshops, and community service project based on educational themes and project-based learning activities and events.

Data

• Perform Data Input.
• Completes any and all monthly and quarterly reports for Agency, Contract Agencies and funding sources including incident and accident reporting.
• Complete and submit weekly schedules, reports and all other required documentation.

Special Projects

• Perform other duties as assigned, assigned and necessary to carry out job functions as needed under the direction of the Community School Director.

In addition to the points above, the setting of the Community School brings together many programs, professions, Para-professionals, community groups, and families in an effort to integrate services. This creates a highly interactive setting where staff needs to look beyond the scope of their individual programs and recognize their membership in the larger community. All staff must be ready to work collaboratively in partnership with others working in the Community School.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required in Social Work, Education, Counseling, Psychology or related field; Master's Degree preferred
• 3-5 Years of experience working with youth and /or families in a fast-paced community-based program required

Key Competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to working with middle-school-aged youth in growing up surrounded by poverty, family instability, and physical or emotional stress
• Supervisory Skills & Experience preferred
• Knowledge of youth development principles
• Crisis/Emergency Management Skills
• Flexible & able to adapt to emerging changes
• Ability to interface with diverse youth and staff populations
• Excellent communication skills (written & Verbal)
• Fluent in English and Spanish preferred
• Working Knowledge of the Computer System & Data Base Operations
• Ability to Travel
• Ability to work days, evenings, weekends and holidays
• Enthusiasm to work with middle school youth, creativity, initiative, a sense of humor and a sense of urgency.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.

Team Player - Works well as a member of a group
Leader - Inspires teammates to follow them
Detail Oriented - Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
Dedicated - Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Masters (preferred)
Bachelors of Social Work (required)

3-5 Years of experience working with youth and /or families in a fast-paced community-based program. (required)

Skills