GAINS Content Specialist and Assistant to the Program Supervisor

The Salvation Army; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory is seeking a Content Specialist for its GAINS program in New York. The role focuses on developing, overseeing, and maintaining high-quality content across required content areas, ensuring fidelity to COMPASS Elementary and SONYC models.

The coordinator will train staff, supervise activity specialists and youth workers, and collaborate with leadership to sustain a robust program environment. Travel and full-time hours apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited institution.
• Experience supervising or overseeing program content development and staff.
• Strong knowledge of youth development and structured content-based programming.
• Excellent communication, leadership and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, oversee and manage high-quality program content across required areas.
• Provide supervision, coaching and guidance to activity staff and youth workers.
• Facilitate staff training and professional development.
• Observe program delivery and ensure fidelity to curricula and standards.
• Collaborate with program leadership to sustain a high-quality environment.
• Prepare payroll, orders and field-site support related to GAINS operations.
• Meet monthly to discuss student progress and program outcomes.

Skills

Program content development

Staff supervision

Coaching and training

Youth development principles

Communication

Leadership

Organizational skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Overview

The Content Specialist is a key member of the GAINS program team, responsible for the development, oversight, and management of high-quality program content in the Required Content Areas. The Content Specialist will ensure that all program components—facilitated by Activity Specialists, Group Leaders, and Youth Workers—are executed with consistency, quality, and fidelity to the COMPASS Elementary and SONYC models. The job requires travel to sites and working 5 days per week, Monday through Fridays, 35 hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Knowledge of State and City mandates to ensure the GAINS Program meets and maintains all requirements
• Facilitate on-going training in areas such as lesson planning, classroom management, facilitation techniques and strategies to improve program quality
• Document and maintain record of how often you meet with GAINS Program Directors and School Staff
• Support the development and monitoring of program goals, outcomes, and quality‑assurance benchmarks.
• Collaborate with the Program Director and leadership team to sustain a high‑quality program environment.
• Provide ongoing supervision, coaching, and guidance to Activity Specialists, Group Leaders, and Youth Workers.
• Conduct regular program observations to assess quality, support staff growth, and ensure adherence to curriculum and program standards.
• Identify staff training needs and deliver or coordinate relevant professional development sessions.
• Model effective instructional practices and youth‑development techniques.
• Attend all required training classes
• Arrange educational, cultural and social activities for students
• Help develop staff to create lesson plans that are age appropriate, interactive and encourage social, emotional and educational curiosity
• Select, manage, and oversee implementation of curricula and lesson plans for the Required Content Areas identified by DYCD.
• Develop sequenced activities with clear goals, learning objectives, and assessment methods.
• Observe /critic the implementation and delivery of established lessons. Meeting with team members to provide insight and encouragement for improvement
• Meet monthly to discuss students and their progress
• Preparing payroll for the GAINS program:
• Placing and following up on Operational supply/furniture/equipment orders
• Prepare requisitions for agency’s CFC Board approval
• Process all personnel and office related paperwork
• Process or support the field sites with SCR, SEL and Fingerprinting
• Secures appropriate resources for staff, parents and children to include supplies, equipment, and training materials
• Must provide a minimum of nine (9) hours of services per program per week.
• Will support up to a maximum of three (3) COMPASS programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited institution.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a supervisory or oversight role directly involving:
• Program content development and management
• Staff supervision, coaching, and support
• Training and professional development delivery
• Strong knowledge of youth development principles and structured content‑based programming.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse staff, youth, and community partners.