K-5 Program Lead (Full-Time)

King Street Center; Burlington (VT); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

King Street Center in Burlington, VT seeks a K-5 Lead to oversee an elementary afterschool program. You'll shape engaging learning, mentor youth, support social-emotional development, and collaborate with families and staff under the guidance of the K-5 Director.

You will design and deliver enriching activities, supervise program staff and volunteers, ensure safety, licensing compliance, and foster an inclusive, positive culture for youth from diverse backgrounds.

Qualifications

• High school diploma.
• Coursework or training related to classroom management and curriculum development.
• Experience managing groups of elementary-aged youth in school, afterschool, childcare, or similar setting.
• Experience working with BIPOC, low-income, refugee, and/or immigrant communities.

Responsibilities

• Create developmentally appropriate, emotionally safe, welcoming activities.
• Teach social-emotional skills, self-regulation, and positive behavior.
• Lead and mentor program staff and volunteers.
• Maintain youth safety during activities and outings.
• Ensure licensing and quality standards compliance.
• Design and implement engaging, meaningful programming with staff.
• Support afterschool development aligned with goals and licensing standards.
• Lead literacy and math support during Boost Time.
• Facilitate enrichment blocks focused on creativity and hands-on learning.
• Coordinate with volunteers, interns, community partners, and other King Street programs.
• Assist with special projects, events, and cross-program opportunities.
• Monitor youth growth and communicate with leadership.
• Build partnerships with families and caregivers.

Skills

Driver's license

Equity & inclusion

Classroom management

Child development knowledge

Activity planning

Communication skills

Organization & time-management

Problem-solving

Literacy & math support

Cultural humility

Feedback & collaboration

Tech literacy (AI tools, smartboards)

Education

High school diploma

Classroom management training

Curriculum development training

Job description

Full-Time | 30 Hours per Week | Year-Round Pay: $22-$24/hour, based on experience

Reporting to: K-5 Director

Schedule:

Monday-Friday

12:00 PM-6:00 PM

30 hours per week during the school year

Additional hours available during school breaks and summer programming

Location: On-site in Burlington, VT, with occasional off-site programming and field trips.

King Street Center where kids & opportunity meet. King Street Center empowers youth to explore their talents and find their voice through learning, play and opportunity.

Located in the heart of Burlington, Vermont, King Street Center serves youth and families experiencing economic insecurity and systemic marginalization, with a focus on families from global majority communities in Burlington through afterschool programs, mentoring, early childhood education, and enrichment opportunities, we empower youth to explore their talents, develop confidence, and create bright futures.

If you're passionate about education, youth development, social justice, and creating spaces where children can feel safe, supported, and inspired, we'd love to meet you.

About the Role

We are seeking an enthusiastic, organized, and relationship-driven K-5 Lead to oversee one of our elementary afterschool programs serving youth in grades 2-3 or grades 4-5.

As a Lead, you'll help shape meaningful learning experiences, mentor young people, support social-emotional development, collaborate with families, and oversee other staff as necessary in creating an engaging, inclusive afterschool environment.

You will work closely with the K-5 Director to develop and deliver enriching programming that helps youth build academic and social skills, confidence, leadership, creativity, and community connections.

What You'll Do: Create a Positive and Inclusive Culture

You'll help build an environment where every child feels valued, respected, and excited to participate.

Responsibilities include:

• Creating a developmentally appropriate, emotionally safe, and welcoming program activities


• Teaching and reinforcing social-emotional skills, self-regulation, and positive behavior


• Leading and mentoring program staff and volunteers


• Maintaining youth safety during activities, transitions, and community outings


• Ensuring compliance with licensing requirements and quality standards

Bring programming to Life

Working alongside the K-5 Director and staff team, you'll help design and implement programming that is fun, engaging, and meaningful.

Responsibilities include:

• Supporting afterschool program development aligned with program goals and licensing standards


• Leading academic support during daily "Boost Time," including literacy, homework, and skill-building activities


• Facilitating enrichment blocks focused on creativity, exploration, and hands‑on learning


• Collaborating with volunteers, interns, community partners, and other King Street programs


• Helping coordinate special projects, events, and cross-program opportunities

Support Youth and Families

Strong relationships are at the heart of our work.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitoring and documenting youth growth, accomplishments, and emerging interests


• Communicating regularly with program leadership regarding youth successes and needs


• Building positive partnerships with families and caregivers


• Participating in family meetings and supporting ongoing engagement efforts

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in required training and professional development


• Maintain program spaces, materials, and storage areas


• Assist with program setup, cleanup, and organization


• Drive a 15‑passenger van after training, when needed


• Support vacation week and summer programming


• Perform other related duties as assigned

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this position title. They do not include all job duties performed by employees in this position, nor does every position necessarily require these duties.

Physical Requirements & Work

Work is conducted inside and outside during all seasons.

Must be physically active, participate in gross motor games, and move distances to neighborhood sites.

Occasional lifting of furniture, materials and children, weighing up to 50 pounds.

Occasional interaction with children with social, emotional and behavioral needs.

Potential for injury from physical interplay with children, and for illness passed along from children.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Who You Are

You are someone who believes in the potential of every child and understands the power of strong relationships, engaging learning experiences, and culturally responsive practice.

What you’ll Bring

Education

• High school diploma


• Coursework or training related to classroom management and curriculum development

Experience

• Experience managing groups of elementary-aged youth in a school, afterschool, childcare, or similar setting


• Experience working with BIPOC, low-income, refugee, and/or immigrant communities

Skills & Strengths

• Valid driver's license


• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging


• Strong classroom management abilities


• Knowledge of child development and group dynamics


• Experience planning and facilitating engaging activities


• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills


• Strong organization, time-management, and problem-solving skills


• Ability to support elementary-level literacy and math learning


• Cultural humility, curiosity, and sensitivity


• Ability to adapt, collaborate, give and receive feedback


• Comfort learning and using technology, including AI tools and smartboards

What we’d prefer

• We're especially interested in candidates who bring one or more of the following:


• One or more years of youth leadership experience


• Experience supporting youth with social/emotional challenges


• Experience working with neurodivergent youth


• Training in trauma-informed care or de‑escalation techniques


• Literacy, math, arts, or enrichment teaching experience

Professional Growth Opportunities

At King Street Center, we invest in our staff and support ongoing professional development.

Employees without a Bachelor's degree will be asked complete one of Vermont's approved afterschool credentials within their first year, such as:

• Vermont On-the-Job Training Certificate

What inspires you to work at King Street Center

Your experience working with historically underserved youth and families

King Street Center is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds and experiences and make employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.