Educational Content Specialist-DYCD COMPASS

The Home for Little Wanderers; New York (NY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

The Home for Little Wanderers in the Bronx seeks an Educational Content Specialist to strengthen program quality and curriculum delivery across DYCD COMPASS sites. You will coach staff, review lesson plans, and support activity development to ensure engaging youth programming that emphasizes academic enrichment and social-emotional learning.

You’ll collaborate with Program Directors, monitor alignment with DYCD requirements, and promote continuous improvement across sites while guiding staff in

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree required; bachelor’s preferred in Education or related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in youth development, afterschool programming, curriculum development, education, instructional coaching, or related field.
• Experience developing lesson plans, enrichment activities, or educational programming.
• Experience facilitating trainings and supporting staff development.
• Experience conducting observations, coaching staff, or monitoring program quality preferred.
• Experience working in DYCD COMPASS, 21st CCLC, afterschool, educational, or youth development programs preferred.
• Knowledge of positive youth development principles and social-emotional learning practices.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct site visits to observe activities and monitor program quality across DYCD COMPASS sites.
• Coach instructors and frontline staff to improve instructional quality.
• Review lesson plans and provide constructive feedback to staff.
• Develop activity schedules aligned with DYCD content areas and goals.
• Support implementation of SEL and youth development practices.
• Monitor participant engagement and advise on program improvements.
• Ensure activities are culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate.
• Support ongoing quality assurance and program monitoring.

Skills

Facilitation

Coaching

Communication

Relationship-building

Organizational skills

Multi-site coordination

Education

Associate's degree in Education or related field

Bachelor's degree preferred in Education or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Workspace

Virtual training platforms

Job description

Job Summary

The Educational Content Specialist based in the Bronx is responsible for supporting program quality, curriculum implementation, staff coaching, and instructional support across The Home’s DYCD-funded COMPASS programs. This position will support three DYCD COMPASS program sites and work collaboratively with Program Directors to ensure activities align with Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) requirements, organizational expectations, and youth development best practices.

The Content Specialist provides ongoing support to instructors, activity specialists, group leaders, and program staff through coaching, lesson plan review, activity development, classroom observations, and professional development. This position helps ensure that participants receive engaging, high-quality programming that promotes academic enrichment, social-emotional development, leadership, youth engagement, and positive youth development outcomes.

The Content Specialist will primarily support DYCD-funded programs and may periodically provide professional development and technical assistance to staff participating in 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) and other expanded learning programs.

Salary Range: $52,000-$57,000

How You'll Be Making a Difference

Program Quality & Instructional Support

• Conduct regular site visits to observe activities and monitor program quality across assigned DYCD COMPASS sites.
• Support Program Directors in implementing high-quality youth development programming.
• Review lesson plans and provide feedback to instructors, activity specialists, and group leaders.
• Assist Program Directors in developing activity schedules that align with DYCD content areas and program goals.
• Support implementation of evidence-based youth development and social-emotional learning practices.
• Monitor participant engagement and provide recommendations to improve program quality and activity participation.
• Assist Program Directors in ensuring activities are developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and engaging.
• Support implementation of continuous quality improvement initiatives across assigned sites.

Curriculum & Activity Development

• Develop and maintain activity resources, lesson plan templates, and enrichment materials that align with DYCD requirements.
• Support staff in developing engaging, hands‑on, project-based learning experiences.
• Identify and share evidence-based practices and instructional strategies with program staff.
• Assist Program Directors in planning activities that support:
  • Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
  • Academic Enrichment
  • Literacy
  • STEM/STEAM
  • Leadership Development
  • Healthy Living and Physical Activity
  • College and Career Awareness
  • Civic Engagement
• Ensure activities support positive youth development principles and participant learning outcomes.

Staff Coaching & Professional Development

• Provide coaching and support to instructors, activity specialists, and frontline program staff.
• Model effective facilitation techniques, classroom management strategies, and youth engagement practices.
• Observe staff performance and provide constructive feedback to improve instructional quality.
• Identify staff development needs and collaborate with Program Directors to provide targeted support.
• Facilitate professional development workshops and trainings for DYCD COMPASS staff.
• Support onboarding and orientation of newly hired program staff.
• Periodically provide professional development opportunities and technical assistance to 21st CCLC staff and other expanded learning programs.

Monitoring & Compliance Support

• Assist Program Directors in preparing for DYCD monitoring visits, audits, and quality reviews.
• Support compliance with DYCD program quality standards and contractual requirements.
• Ensure lesson plans, activity schedules, and instructional materials align with funder expectations.
• Assist in maintaining documentation related to program quality initiatives and staff development activities.

Collaboration & Communication

• Meet regularly with Program Directors to review program quality goals, participant engagement, and staff development needs.
• Collaborate with Program Directors to address areas requiring improvement and develop action plans.
• Participate in meetings with the Assistant Program Manager and Program Manager to discuss program quality trends, staff development needs, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with organizational leadership, school partners, and community partners as needed.
• Participate in organizational meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree required but a bachelor’s degree is preferred in Education, Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Childhood Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Youth Development, Recreation, Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in youth development, afterschool programming, curriculum development, education, instructional coaching, or a related field.
• Experience developing lesson plans, enrichment activities, or educational programming.
• Experience facilitating trainings and supporting staff development.
• Experience conducting observations, coaching staff, or monitoring program quality preferred.
• Experience working in DYCD COMPASS, 21st CCLC, afterschool, educational, or youth development programs preferred.
• Knowledge of positive youth development principles and social-emotional learning practices.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Required

• This position requires strong facilitation, coaching, communication, and relationship-building skills. The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to support staff growth, improve instructional quality, and foster engaging learning environments for children and youth.
• The position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities across several program sites. The successful candidate must possess knowledge of youth development principles, social-emotional learning practices, curriculum implementation, and program quality standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, presentation software, and virtual training platforms is required. This position requires frequent travel between program locations, the ability to conduct classroom observations, facilitate staff trainings, and occasionally work evenings and weekends as needed.

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.