On-site Youth Development Program Director

Union Settlement; New York (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Union Settlement seeks a Program Director for the Youth Development & Opportunity department to lead day-to-day operations, staff supervision, and program development under DYCD funding. This full-time on-site role reports to the Program Manager and negotiates with schools and partners to meet contract obligations.

The individual will manage budgets, grant writing, fundraising, and marketing for community outreach, while ensuring strong school relationships and program quality in East Harlem.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education/Social Work or related field preferred, not required.
• Associate's degree in Child Development, Elementary Education, Physical Education, Recreation or a related field AND Two years of direct experience working with children under 13 years, including at least one year in a supervisory capacity in a child care program or related field of work.
• School Age Child Care Credential or other Office recognized credential specific to the school-age developmental period. AND Two years of direct experience working with children under 13 years, including at least one year in a childcare program or related field of work.
• At a minimum, three years of experience in youth development programs providing educational enrichment activities, with demonstrated success providing services to elementary/middle school school-age youth in direct service or supervisory role.
• Knowledge of performance-based contracts.
• Familiarity with the DYCD-funded COMPASS programs is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience practicing youth development principles and working with urban youth ages 5 to 16.
• Have demonstrated an understanding of the challenges facing youth in an urban setting.
• Ability and commitment to create a positive environment built on supportive relationships among staff and students.
• Capacity to empower staff to serve as role models for students and create high expectations for student behavior, school and program attendance, work habits, and attitudes toward learning
• Strong verbal and written skills.
• Strong, demonstrated computer skills.
• Demonstrated ability to perform multiple tasks effectively in a fast-paced, challenging, and constantly changing environment.
• Strong commitment to working with youth.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Implement a program focused on social and emotional support activities tied to project-based learning.
• Ensure DYCD online database is updated weekly, including attendance, work scope, program schedule, and staffing.
• Ensure Challenge Based Learning, Clubs, and Health and Wellness workshops, which allow the students to learn in smaller groups.
• Create and maintain a welcoming, productive, and encouraging environment for participants, their families, and community members.
• Ensure a strong relationship between the school day curriculum and the COMPASS program; conduct regular meetings with the principal and key school staff, and attend school and curriculum development training.
• To generate support, articulate the program’s vision, mission, and goals to East Harlem CBOs, school staff, administrators, students, families, and community leaders.
• Collaborate with families to solve problems.
• Facilitate weekly team meetings with program staff and partners.
• Monthly supervisory meetings with key staff to discuss performance, strengths, and challenges
• Host monthly parent meetings.
• Manage other privately funded contracts.
• Ensure program milestones are met.
• Produce program reports as needed.
• Participate in Youth Services programmatic committees.
• Attend committee, programmatic, departmental, and agency-wide leadership staff meetings.
• Additional duties as assigned by the Deputy Director and Program Managers.

Skills

Strong verbal and written skills

Strong computer skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Education/Social Work or related field preferred

Associate's degree in Child Development, Elementary Education, Physical Education, Recreation or related field AND two years of direct experience

School Age Child Care Credential or related credential

Tools

DYCD COMPASS familiarity

Job description

Union Settlement seeks a Program Director for the Youth Development & Opportunity department to lead day-to-day operations, staff supervision, and program development under DYCD funding. This full-time on-site role reports to the Program Manager and negotiates with schools and partners to meet contract obligations.

The individual will manage budgets, grant writing, fundraising, and marketing for community outreach, while ensuring strong school relationships and program quality in East Harlem.