Activity Specialist (PS 9 - Ryer Avenue Elementary)

Police Athletic League, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 27,552 - 34,440; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible spending account

Employee assistance program

Tuition reimbursement

Pet insurance

Life insurance

Retirement savings options

Generous paid time-off

Job summary

Police Athletic League, Inc. (PAL) seeks a Part-time Activity Specialist to develop and implement a range of specialty activities (SEL, dance, sports, STEAM, literacy, leadership, arts, college readiness).

You will oversee your area and collaborate with staff and site leadership under the Program Director and Content Specialist. Responsibilities include fostering social-emotional development, teaching activities, coordinating a culminating performance, and supporting students with IEPs.

Qualifications

• Minimum High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Minimum two years’ work experience in a nonprofit agency working with youth.
• Excellent classroom management, behavior management, and facilitation skills.
• Must show experience and competency in the material they would like to teach; a sample lesson will be part of the interview process.
• Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively. Bilingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese preferred.

Responsibilities

• Foster social and emotional competencies and wellbeing in a safe, inclusive environment.
• Teach fundamentals of a specialized activity to build skill and confidence.
• Coordinate and present a culminating performance at the end of the program cycle.
• Follow support plans for students with special needs and IEPs.
• Respond to time-sensitive mental health needs and provide referrals as needed.
• Work with staff, teachers, and program leaders.
• Build positive relationships with youth and caretakers and model professional behavior.
• Attend staff meetings and professional development as scheduled.

Skills

Classroom management

Facilitation

Communication skills

Bilingual (Spanish/French/Chinese)

Education

High School Diploma / GED

Job description

The Police Athletic League (PAL) of New York City is an independent youth development nonprofit organization that has served as a bridge between police and communities across all five boroughs of the City since 1914. PAL offers a wide range of programs for children and youth, including Head Start, after‑school initiatives, summer day camps, Playstreets, evening teen centers, college readiness, youth employment, juvenile justice, and competitive and recreational sports.

Position Summary

We are looking for Part‑time Activity Specialists who will develop and implement a broad range of specialty activities such as SEL, dance, sports, STEAM, life‑skills development, literacy, leadership, performing arts, visual arts, and college and career readiness. Specialists will oversee their area of expertise while collaborating with all staff and site leadership. The role reports to the Program Director and is supported by the Content Specialist.

What You’ll Do

• Foster social and emotional competencies and mental and physical wellbeing in a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment.
• Teach participants the fundamentals of a specialized activity to build skill level and confidence.
• Coordinate and present a culminating performance at the end of the program cycle.
• Be aware of students with IEPs and medical conditions and follow support plans to help students with special needs 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, serving 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.

Commitment

Able to work 15 hours a week (3 hours a day, 5 days a week). Able to attend 15 hours of orientation prior to the beginning of programming. Able to attend scheduled staff meetings and professional development throughout the year.

Qualifications

• Minimum High School Diploma / GED.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Minimum of two years’ work experience in a nonprofit agency working with youth.
• Excellent classroom management, behavior management, and facilitation skills.
• Must show experience and competency in the material they would like to teach; a sample lesson will be part of the interview process.
• Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively. Bilingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese preferred.
• Open to learning and growing; all staff will receive training in mental health, SEL, and special needs inclusion skills.

Compensation

The hourly rate for this role is $20–$25, depending on skills and experience.

Benefits

PAL offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, a flexible spending account, an employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, pet insurance, life insurance, retirement savings options, a generous paid time‑off policy, training, and more.

Location

PS 9 Ryer Avenue – 230 East 183rd Street, Bronx, NY 10458

Start Date

September 7th, 2026

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Police Athletic League is an inclusive equal‑opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected characteristic including, but not limited to, an individual’s sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

Employment with PAL is contingent upon successful completion of all the Agency’s lawful pre‑employment checks, which may include a background check.