COMPASS Program Director-Bronx, NY

The Home for Little Wanderers; New York (NY); On-site; USD 68,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Home for Little Wanderers is seeking a COMPASS Program Director to lead the DYCD-funded afterschool program in New York. This full-time position involves managing daily operations, ensuring high-quality programming, and supervising staff.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in a related field and experience in youth development. Responsibilities include participant engagement, staff training, and compliance with regulations. The role begins August 1st and offers a salary range of $68,000-$75,000.

Qualifications

• An associate’s degree in child development or a related field with two years of experience with children under 13.
• Experience managing after school or youth development programs.
• Strong leadership skills and knowledge of youth development principles.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the COMPASS program.
• Supervise staff and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Promote youth development and inclusive programming.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational Skills

Bilingual Spanish

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

New York State Children’s Program Administrator Credential

School‑Age Child Care Credential

Job description

Job Summary

The COMPASS Program Director is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of The Home's DYCD-funded COMPASS afterschool program. The Program Director is on-site at the school five days per week and is responsible for ensuring high-quality youth development programming, staff supervision, participant recruitment and retention, family engagement, regulatory compliance, program quality, and strong school partnerships. The Program Director serves as the primary liaison between the school community, families, community partners, and The Home for Little Wanderers. The Program Director is responsible for maintaining compliance with DYCD, OCFS SACC, DOE policies, and organizational expectations. The Program Director also serves as the site's Inclusion Coordinator and is responsible for promoting equitable access to programming for all participants, including youth with disabilities and those requiring accommodations. The position is full-time (40 hours per week) supervised by the After-school Program Manager and starts August 1st.

Salary Range: $68,000‑$75,000

How You'll Be Making a Difference

Program Operations & Leadership

• Overall responsibility for implementing program design, effective service delivery, and all administrative tasks, including timely reporting to DYCD, DOE, OCFS, and The Home.
• Serve as liaison to the school community and provide leadership for all site-based programming.
• Establish and maintain a positive program culture that supports youth development, inclusion, safety, and participant engagement.
• Conduct regular staff meetings, supervision sessions, and professional development activities.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate program staff in accordance with organizational policies and applicable regulations.
• Develop staff schedules and ensure adequate program coverage at all times.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment focused on continuous improvement and high-quality service delivery.
• Ensure full compliance with DYCD, DOE, OCFS, and SACC regulations and requirements.
• Maintain required program documentation, including enrollment records, attendance records, incident reports, accommodation plans, and compliance files.
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry and maintenance of participant records within required data systems.
• Participate in monitoring visits, audits, inspections, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Prepare and monitor site spending plans in coordination with supervisors and the Finance Department.
• Ensure all program operations align with contractual obligations and organizational expectations.
• Recruit and maintain enrollment sufficient to meet contractual obligations and program participation goals.
• Monitor attendance and participation data to support achievement of DYCD performance expectations.
• Develop and implement recruitment and retention strategies that promote consistent participation.
• Collaborate with school personnel and families to address attendance concerns and increase participant engagement.
• Conduct regular observations of program activities and staff performance.
• Monitor participant engagement, attendance trends, and program quality indicators.
• Develop and implement site-based quality improvement plans.
• Utilize attendance, survey, participation, and outcome data to inform program improvements.
• Collaborate with the Content Specialist and Data Coordinator to strengthen program quality and participant outcomes.
• Ensure activities align with DYCD quality standards, contractual goals, and organizational expectations.
• Support implementation of evidence-based youth development and social-emotional learning practices.

Program Content & Youth Development

• Oversee implementation of required DYCD content areas, including:
  • Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
  • Physical Activity and Healthy Living
  • Academic Support (Elementary Programs)
  • STEAM and Literacy
  • College and Career Awareness
  • Life Skills Development
  • Leadership Development (Middle School Programs)
• Support implementation of DYCD-approved SEL curriculum and promote positive youth development practices.
• Support youth leadership development, civic engagement, and college and career exploration opportunities.
• Ensure activities are developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and aligned with participant needs.

Inclusion Coordination & Student Support

• Serve as the designated Inclusion Coordinator for the COMPASS program site.
• Promote a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment for all participants.
• Coordinate accommodations and support services for participants with disabilities and diverse learning needs.
• Collaborate with families, school personnel, related service providers, guidance staff, and community partners to support participant success.
• Develop, maintain, and monitor participant accommodation plans and ensure appropriate implementation by program staff.
• Provide guidance and coaching to staff regarding inclusive practices, behavioral supports, de-escalation strategies, and reasonable accommodations.
• Ensure compliance with DYCD inclusion requirements and organizational policies related to accessibility and participant support.
• Monitor the effectiveness of accommodations and support strategies and make adjustments as needed.
• Participate in inclusion-related trainings and professional development activities.
• Maintain documentation related to accommodations, inclusion planning, referrals, and participant support services.
• Support identification of participants who may benefit from additional behavioral, emotional, academic, or social supports.
• Coordinate referrals and follow-up communication with families and support providers when appropriate.

Mental Health & Student Wellness

• Implement Mental Health Referral Plans and coordinate with school-based support staff, guidance counselors, social workers, related service providers, and community organizations as needed.
• Support identification of participants who may benefit from additional behavioral, emotional, or academic supports.
• Facilitate referrals and follow-up communication with families and appropriate support providers.

School, Family & Community Partnerships

• Coordinate family engagement activities and strengthen partnerships between families, schools, and community organizations.
• Develop and maintain community partnerships that enhance programming and support youth and families.
• Participate in school leadership meetings and planning discussions as appropriate.
• Align program goals and activities with school priorities and student needs.
• Collaborate with school personnel to support attendance, behavior, academic success, and family engagement initiatives.
• Build positive relationships with families and maintain ongoing communication regarding participant progress, accommodations, and program opportunities.
• Support family engagement events, workshops, showcases, and community-building activities.
• Participate in organizational meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• An associate’s degree in child development; a bachelor’s degree is preferred, Elementary Education, Physical Education, Recreation, or a related field and two (2)+ years of direct experience working with children under thirteen (13) years of age, including at least one (1) year in a supervisory capacity in a childcare program or related field; OR
• A New York State Children’s Program Administrator Credential and two (2)+ years of direct experience working with children under thirteen (13) years of age, including at least one (1) year in a supervisory capacity in a childcare program or related field; OR
• A School‑Age Child Care Credential or other OCFS‑recognized credential specific to the school‑age developmental period and two (2)+ years of direct experience working with children under thirteen (13) years of age, including at least one (1) year in a supervisory capacity in a childcare program or related field; OR
• Two years of college with eighteen (18) credits in Child Development, Elementary Education, Physical Education, Recreation, or a related field and two (2)+ years of direct experience working with children under thirteen (13) years of age, including at least one (1) year in a supervisory capacity in a childcare program or related field.
• Experience managing after school, youth development, or educational programs.
• Experience supervising staff and collaborating with school personnel.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of youth development principles and best practices.
• Bilingual Spanish preferred.

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.