Activity Specialist (Elementary and Middle School Summer Camp)

Hudson Guild; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Hudson Guild seeks an Activity Specialist to design and run daily/weekly activity lessons across multiple areas of expertise. You will collaborate with Group Leaders and staff to deliver engaging, age-appropriate programs for youth, ensuring safety and inclusion.

The role emphasizes strong classroom management, effective communication with families, and ongoing professional development to support program quality and participant growth.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled or graduated from an accredited university.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience OR 4 years expertise in a special area (Theater, Art, Music, Dance, Culinary Arts, etc.).
• Portfolio, samples of work, lesson plans may be required.
• Experience with middle school students or youth services is preferred.
• Strong group management, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and facilitate activity lesson plans/curriculum in specialty areas.
• Collaborate with Group Leaders and staff to support professional development.
• Maintain classroom management and positive behavior guidelines.
• Prepare participants for exhibits, presentations, and culminating events.
• Assist staff in activities for orderly program operation, including meals and field trips.
• Supervise participants, ensuring safety and inclusive, positive environment.
• Maintain attendance, progress logs, and incident reports.
• Manage area materials and report misuse or damage.
• Communicate professionally with staff, parents, children, and community members.
• Participate in mandatory professional development and meetings.

Skills

Group management

Conflict resolution

Verbal communication

Written communication

Engaging children

Education

University degree

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Under the supervision of the Director, the Activity Specialist is responsible for developing and facilitating daily/weekly activity lesson plans in their specific area(s) of expertise. They will work collaboratively to ensure all activities needed for the proper operation of the program and the supervision of participants ensuring the safety and inclusion of all participants are implemented. Activity Specialists must have expertise in one or more disciplines, content-specific program activities or subjects that enriches the experiences of children in the Hudson Guild program.

TO BE CONSIDERED:

Must be currently enrolled/graduated from an accredited university and possess a minimum of 2 years’ experience OR a minimum of 4 years expertise in a special area (Theater, Art, Music, Dance, Culinary Arts, etc) and present a portfolio, samples of your work, lesson plans, etc. Must have experience working with middle school students and/or any youth services field. Exceptional group management, problem solving and conflict resolution skills. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Must be skilled in engaging children.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and facilitate activity lesson plans/curriculum in area(s) of specialty that foster the development of and reinforce new/previously taught skills as contribution to and/or design of curriculum.
• Work with Group Leaders and other program staff, engaging them in the activity and modeling facilitation to help Group Leaders develop professionally.
• Maintain effective classroom management strategies, enforce positive behavior guidelines, and apply youth development principles to create a supportive and organized environment.
• Prepare participants for exhibits, final presentations, and culminating events, helping to boost their self-esteem and gain confidence in their work.
• Assisting Group Leaders and program staff in all activities needed for the orderly operation of the program, inclusive of: supervising children during mealtimes, facilitating dismissal, conducting field trips, hosting special events, and other program areas as assigned.
• Supervise participants while maintaining order and a positive youth-focused atmosphere, providing a conducive learning environment, ensuring the safety and inclusion of all participants.
• Maintain accurate records including attendance, student progress, daily attendance, logs, sign-in/out sheets, incident reports, etc.
• Responsible for area materials, room organization and reporting misused/damaged materials to the supervisor.
• Professionally communicate with all staff, parents/guardians, children, and community members in a polite and respectful manner.
• Uphold program policies and procedures while promoting an inclusive, welcoming and respectful environment that embraces the diversity of all staff, participants, and stakeholders.
• Actively participate in mandatory professional development training and meetings.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Travel between multiple sites consisting of school, office, and community center environments.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The position requires constant communication with participants and co-workers; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Ability to lift 25 lbs, move between indoor and outdoor environments, stand/run/walk/stoop/bend for long periods of time, and remain stationary for long periods.

Hudson Guild is an Equal Employer Opportunity.