Program Assistant

The Home for Little Wanderers; New York (NY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

The Home for Little Wanderers in New York, NY seeks a part-time Program Assistant to support the Program Director in running the DYCD COMPASS afterschool program. You will supervise staff, engage youth, maintain attendance, and help ensure compliance with DYCD, DOE, and OCFS requirements.

Responsibilities include overseeing daily operations, implementing program schedules, assisting with enrollment and family engagement, and acting as site lead when needed.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of positive youth development principles and best practices.
• Knowledge of DYCD COMPASS, DOE, and OCFS SACC regulations preferred.
• Ability to supervise and support frontline staff.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and electronic data systems.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, professional development days, and special events as required.

Responsibilities

• Assist Program Director in overseeing daily operation of the COMPASS program.
• Support implementation of DYCD program requirements and organizational policies.
• Help maintain a safe, structured environment for participants and staff.
• Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned.
• Serve as acting site lead in absence of the Program Director.
• Support implementation of program schedules and activity rotations.
• Provide day-to-day supervision and support to group leaders and staff.
• Monitor staff performance and provide guidance.
• Assist with staff onboarding, orientation, and training.
• Support staff development initiatives.
• Maintain staff schedules and coverage plans.
• Support high-quality youth development programming.
• Monitor participant engagement and behavior.
• Assist with positive behavior management strategies.
• Support activities focused on SEL, leadership, academic enrichment, STEM, literacy, arts, recreation, and healthy living.
• Build positive relationships with participants and families.
• Assist with recruitment, enrollment, and retention efforts.
• Monitor attendance and strategies to improve retention.
• Maintain attendance records and participant documentation.
• Assist with enrollment forms and program records.
• Support compliance with DYCD, DOE, OCFS and organizational requirements.
• Prepare for monitoring visits, audits, and inspections.

Skills

Positive youth development

Staff supervision

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Associate’s degree in child development or related field

60 college credits with 18 in related field

SACC Credential preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Workspace

Electronic data systems

Job description

Organizational Relationship: Reports to Program Director/Site Manager

Salary Range: $25-$30 per hour

How You'll Be Making a Difference

The Program Assistant supports the Program Director in the day-to-day operations, implementation, and supervision of the DYCD COMPASS afterschool program. The Program Assistant assists in ensuring high-quality youth development programming, participant engagement, staff supervision, family communication, compliance, and overall site operations.

The Program Assistant serves as a member of the site's leadership team and helps maintain a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for participants, families, and staff. This position assists with program administration, enrollment, attendance monitoring, activity oversight, staff support, and implementation of DYCD requirements.

In the absence of the Program Director, the Program Assistant may assume responsibility for site operations and act as the site designee.

The position is a part-time position (30 hours per week, 10 months per year) and will be supervised by the Program Director.

Program Operations & Leadership

• Assist the Program Director in overseeing the daily operation of the COMPASS program.
• Support implementation of all DYCD program requirements and organizational policies.
• Help maintain a safe, structured, and positive environment for participants and staff.
• Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned.
• Serve as acting site lead in the absence of the Program Director.
• Support implementation of program schedules and activity rotations.

Staff Supervision & Support

• Provide day-to-day supervision and support to group leaders, activity specialists, and program staff.
• Monitor staff performance and provide ongoing guidance and support.
• Assist with staff onboarding, orientation, and training activities.
• Support implementation of staff development initiatives.
• Assist with maintaining staff schedules and coverage plans.

Participant Engagement & Youth Development

• Support implementation of high-quality youth development programming.
• Monitor participant engagement and behavior.
• Assist staff in implementing positive behavior management strategies.
• Support activities focused on social-emotional learning, leadership development, academic enrichment, STEM, literacy, arts, recreation, and healthy living.
• Build positive relationships with participants and families.

Enrollment, Attendance & Compliance

• Assist with participant recruitment, enrollment, and retention efforts.
• Monitor attendance and support strategies to improve participant retention.
• Maintain accurate attendance records and participant documentation.
• Assist with collection and organization of required enrollment forms and program records.
• Support compliance with DYCD, DOE, OCFS, and organizational requirements.
• Assist with preparation for monitoring visits, audits, and inspections.

Family Engagement & School Partnerships

• Support family engagement events, workshops, showcases, and celebrations.
• Maintain positive communication with families regarding participant attendance, behavior, and program participation.
• Assist with outreach efforts to recruit and retain participants.
• Support collaboration with school personnel and community partners.

Program Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct informal observations of program activities.
• Support implementation of quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist with participant surveys, program evaluations, and feedback collection.
• Collaborate with the Program Director to address areas requiring improvement.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Assist with maintaining participant records and site files.
• Support preparation of reports and documentation.
• Monitor inventory and assist with supply requests.
• Support program communication efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in child development, Elementary Education, Physical Education, Recreation, Human Services, Youth Development, or a related field; OR
• Completion of at least sixty (60) college credits with eighteen (18) credits in Child Development, Education, Recreation, Youth Development, or a related field; OR
• School Age Child Care (SACC) Credential preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) + years of experience working with school-age children in an educational, youth development, childcare, recreation, or afterschool setting.
• Ability to obtain and maintain all required DYCD, DOE, OCFS, and organizational clearances and approvals as a condition of employment.
• Ability to successfully complete all mandatory pre-service and annual training requirements.
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
• Experience working in DYCD, DOE, OCFS SACC, educational, or youth development programs preferred.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment requirements and ongoing compliance with organizational, Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), Department of Education (DOE), and New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) requirements.

Before the first day of work, employees must complete all required onboarding activities, including but not limited to:

• Criminal History Record Check (CHRC), if applicable
• New York State Central Register (SCR) clearance
• Comprehensive background screening as required by OCFS, DYCD, and organizational policy
• Department of Health (DOH) requirements, including all required medical documentation, health examinations, immunizations, tuberculosis screening, and any additional health requirements applicable to the position
• Department of Education security clearance, including fingerprinting and PETS authorization, when required
• Completion of all organizational onboarding paperwork and employment documentation

Employees may not begin working with participants until the organization has verified successful completion of all required clearances, approvals, and onboarding requirements.

Employees must complete all mandatory training requirements, including those required by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), School Age Child Care (SACC) regulations, DYCD, and The Home for Little Wanderers, within thirty (30) days of hire unless an earlier deadline is required by law, regulation, or organizational policy.

Employees must maintain all required certifications, clearances, and annual trainings throughout their employment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of positive youth development principles and best practices.
• Knowledge of DYCD COMPASS, DOE, and OCFS SACC regulations preferred.
• Ability to supervise and support frontline staff.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and electronic data systems.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, professional development days, and special events as required.

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.