Content Specialist-SONYC

Children's Aid Society; New York (NY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Children's Aid Society is seeking a Content Specialist to oversee the design, selection, and implementation of high-quality educational content across all out-of-school time programs. Under the supervision of the Program Director, you will provide instructional leadership and ongoing support to Specialists, Group Leaders, and Youth Workers to ensure program quality and alignment with organizational goals.

This role includes curriculum management, staff supervision, coaching, training, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field required.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience providing direct instruction to children or youth.
• At least one (1) year of experience in a supervisory or oversight role that includes curriculum management, staff supervision, training, or professional development preferred.
• Experience in out-of-school time programs or school-based settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Understand and promote the organization's Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Select, manage, and oversee program curricula across all content areas; develop lesson plans and instructional materials when appropriate.
• Ensure the effective implementation of out-of-school time curricula by providing ongoing guidance, supervision, and support to program staff.
• Oversee and support activities delivered by Specialists, Group Leaders, and Youth Workers to ensure instructional quality and consistency.
• Facilitate regular curriculum planning and professional learning meetings with instructional staff to model best practices, encourage reflection, and support problem-solving.
• Conduct regular classroom and program observations and provide timely, constructive feedback to strengthen instruction and staff performance.
• Provide coaching, training, and professional development opportunities to build staff capacity and instructional effectiveness.
• Models for staff how to deliver high quality instruction and project-based learning in the classroom.
• Review student work and program outcomes on an ongoing basis to assess engagement, learning progress, and areas for improvement.
• Utilize student data and observational findings to inform instructional strategies and program enhancements.
• Serve as a liaison between the regular school day, out-of-school time programs, school administrators, and teachers to support alignment and program quality.
• Communicate regularly with the Center or Program Director regarding curriculum implementation, instructional needs, and materials or supply requirements.
• Support staff with curriculum resources, instructional planning, and classroom management strategies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Curriculum management

Staff supervision

Instructional leadership

Data-informed practice

Coaching & training

Observation & feedback

Educational content selection

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education or related field

Job description

Description

Salary: $25 - $30/hr

Position Summary

The Content Specialist is responsible for overseeing the design, selection, and implementation of high-quality educational content across all out-of-school time programs. Under the supervision of the Program Director, the Content Specialist provides instructional leadership and ongoing support to Specialists, Group Leaders, and Youth Workers to ensure program quality, consistency, and alignment with organizational goals. This role includes curriculum management, staff supervision, coaching, training, and continuous improvement through observation and data-informed practices. Must be available to work during designated afterschool and/or summer program hours.

Children's Aid Mission

To help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Children's Aid annually serves children and their families at over 40 sites in New York, as well as through three national program models. Children's Aid is concentrating its efforts on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with a focus on children's health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development.

Culture and Values

• We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate the voices of children, youth and families in all that we do.
• We seek equity and transformation in our communities: We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth and families.
• We strive for excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.
• We are powered by collaboration: Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve.
• We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Understand and promote the organization's Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Select, manage, and oversee program curricula across all content areas; develop lesson plans and instructional materials when appropriate.
• Ensure the effective implementation of out-of-school time curricula by providing ongoing guidance, supervision, and support to program staff.
• Oversee and support activities delivered by Specialists, Group Leaders, and Youth Workers to ensure instructional quality and consistency.
• Facilitate regular curriculum planning and professional learning meetings with instructional staff to model best practices, encourage reflection, and support problem‑solving.
• Conduct regular classroom and program observations and provide timely, constructive feedback to strengthen instruction and staff performance.
• Provide coaching, training, and professional development opportunities to build staff capacity and instructional effectiveness.
• Models for staff how to deliver high quality instruction and project-based learning in the classroom.
• Review student work and program outcomes on an ongoing basis to assess engagement, learning progress, and areas for improvement.
• Utilize student data and observational findings to inform instructional strategies and program enhancements.
• Serve as a liaison between the regular school day, out-of-school time programs, school administrators, and teachers to support alignment and program quality.
• Communicate regularly with the Center or Program Director regarding curriculum implementation, instructional needs, and materials or supply requirements.
• Support staff with curriculum resources, instructional planning, and classroom management strategies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field required.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience providing direct instruction to children or youth.
• At least one (1) year of experience in a supervisory or oversight role that includes curriculum management, staff supervision, training, or professional development preferred.
• TMHR JD - Youth Division
• Experience in out-of-school time programs or school-based settings preferred.

Key Competencies

• Strong knowledge of developmentally appropriate instructional practices.
• Demonstrated ability to select, develop, and manage educational content and curricula.
• Experience using student performance data to guide instructional decisions and program improvements.
• Proven skills in staff supervision, coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with staff, families, schools, and community partners.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.