Activity Specialist (Summer Day Camp)

Goddard Riverside Community Center; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established community organization is seeking an enthusiastic Activity Specialist to engage with children in creative activities. This role is pivotal in fostering a nurturing environment that promotes social and emotional growth. As part of a dynamic team, you will lead activities in areas such as art, music, and fitness, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to express themselves. Join a community-focused team dedicated to making a difference in the lives of youth and families, while enjoying a collaborative and supportive work atmosphere. If you have a passion for youth development and creativity, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• At least one year of experience working with children.
• Must be able to pass a Background Check.

Responsibilities

• Foster a learning environment for children's creative growth.
• Maintain supervision and ensure safety of participants.
• Assist in delivering educational and recreational programs.

Skills

Creative Planning

Supervision

Collaboration

Child Development

Education

Some college preferred

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Beacon - New York, NY

Position Type: Seasonal

Salary Range: $20.00 - $25.00 Hourly

Description

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults through-out Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families.

Program Description: Goddard Riverside Community Center is working in collaboration with the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development to alleviate the effects of poverty and provide opportunities by operating a Beacon Community Center on the Upper Westside. Beacon Community Centers are located in public schools throughout New York City and serve youth from Kindergarten through age 21 and adults ages 22 and older, including seniors. Beacons operate year-round in non-school hours on weekdays, weekends and in the summer as a resource to the entire community by offering integrated programming tailored to local needs.

Position Summary: Activity Specialist are assigned to work with a group of co-ed children, divided into age groups, in the areas of their expertise (Art, Chess, Computer Science, Fitness, Dance, Music, Storytelling), exposing them to various ways of expressing themselves creatively. Activity Specialists work in unison with Group Leader and other group staff to support the social-emotional growth of the children. Together and through Group Work practice, our staff works to provide a positive and creative environment for the social and intellectual development of all participants.

Hourly Rate: $20.00-$25.00

Schedule:3 days a week M-F, (1:00pm-4:00pm 9-12 hours per week) Summer Camp operates from June 23, 2025 to August 15, 2025.

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salaryoffer will be basedonthe candidate’s number of years experience in the exact orcomparableposition and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties

• Foster a learning environment that stimulates children’s creative growth and development
• Demonstrate professionalism & leadership and collaborate with different groups of teams
• Maintain sound supervision and ensuring the safety of program participants at all times
• Incorporate the summer theme into various projects
• Assist in delivering educational, recreational, and cultural programs to develop community and explore the summer theme through a performance or display project
• Encourage program participation and social skills development
• Teach and supervise activity in expertise
• Fulfill administrative requirements (planning activities, schedules and special events, attendance records, incident report, & progress reports)
• Enforce program rules, identify & respond to camper behavior issues, and carry out corrective action when needed by identifying and seeking to resolve conflicts and behavioral problems.
• Know and enforce ALL emergency procedures and follow all safety guidelines associated with all program areas. This includes but is not limited to being responsible for your campers’ safety and their whereabouts at all times.
• Attend staff training, weekly, meetings and supervision meetings
• Other duties as required and assigned by Program Director, ADED and/or DED

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• At least one(1) yearof experience working with children in groups
• Some college preferred
• Must be able to attend all staff training sessions
• Must have ability to work collaboratively
• Must have a sense of humor and a passion for youth development
• Must be able to pass a Background Check including Fingerprint Screen, Sex Offender Registry and be physically able to work with children (via a doctor’s signed consent including TB screening)
• CPR/First Aid Certification a plus

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Create and able to implement plans for group participation
• Effectively supervise children

Physical Requirements

• Frequent bending, kneeling, walking

Work Environment

• Mostly Indoors/Some outdoors

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation,gender identityor any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job