Program Director

Children's Aid; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Children's Aid in New York oversees the program's extended day services, afterschool and summer camp operations, and family engagement initiatives. The Director ensures alignment with DYCD SONYC mandates and collaborates with schools and local agencies to deliver high-quality programming.

The role requires leading staff, managing licenses, and driving outcomes across education, STEM, SEL, nutrition, and enrichment. Strong partnerships with parents and officials are essential to success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred.
• Minimum 3 years in afterschool programs with supervisory experience.
• Experience with NYC public program partners is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Understand and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Design and implement programming that meets the educational, social and emotional needs of children in the school, including holidays and summer camp programming.
• Develop and implement a strategic recruitment plan to ensure compliance with enrollment and rate of participation in DYCD SONYC programs.
• Meet all program outcomes as outlined by the agency and contractual mandates by DYCD, DOE, and the Office of Community Schools.
• Ensure that the goals for all program components align with the Division’s extended day program outcomes related to education, STEM, SEL & executive functioning, nutrition & fitness, arts & enrichment, youth leadership and family engagement.
• Supervise the day-to-day functions of the program.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with the school administration, NYC Department of Health, Department of Youth & Community Development, and other agencies as appropriate.

Skills

Program leadership

Staff supervision

Community engagement

Recruitment planning

DOE/DYCD knowledge

Policy alignment

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

$65,000 - $66,300 / year

• Understand and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Design and implement programming that meets the educational, social and emotional needs of children in the school, including holidays and summer camp programming.
• Develop and implement a strategic recruitment plan to ensure compliance with enrollment and rate of participation in DYCD SONYC programs.
• Meet all program outcomes as outlined by the agency and contractual mandates by DYCD, DOE, and the Office of Community Schools.
• Ensure that the goals for all program components align with the Division’s extended day program outcomes related to education, STEM, SEL & executive functioning, nutrition & fitness, arts & enrichment, youth leadership and family engagement.
• Responsible for developing and implementing strategies that will lead to achieving program outcomes.
• Supervise the day-to-day functions of the program.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with the school administration, NYC Department of Health, Department of Youth & Community Development, and other agencies as appropriate.
• Develop relationships with parents which calls for consistent communication and outreach, promotion of parent involvement practices such as parent orientations, workshops, invitations to student EXPOs, and program celebrations.
• Align with afterschool participants' parents to parent engagement programs and services by working together with the parent coordinator.
• Participate in the hiring of content specialist, support and program staff with the Community School Director.
• Assure the quality of the program through regular staff supervision, observations, evaluation, staff training and program development.
• Maintain and ensure that all administrative details of the program are implemented.
• Manage School Age Child Care (SACC) and summer camp licenses, program registration, student enrollment forms, employee documentation and background clearances, attendance and order of supplies.
• In the absence of the Community School Director or Assistant Community School Director, oversee the management of all programs and activities in the Community School.
• Any other duties deemed necessary by the Community School Director or Assistant Community School Director.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

$65,000 - $66,300 / year

Position Summary

The Program Director is responsible for the management and supervision of the extended day programs, Afterschool, and our Summer Camp, Holiday Program, and provide support for other special programs involving students and parents in the Community School.

Essential Duties

• Understand and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Design and implement programming that meets the educational, social and emotional needs of children in the school, including holidays and summer camp programming.
• Develop and implement a strategic recruitment plan to ensure compliance with enrollment and rate of participation in DYCD SONYC programs.
• Meet all program outcomes as outlined by the agency and contractual mandates by DYCD, DOE, and the Office of Community Schools.
• Ensure that the goals for all program components align with the Division’s extended day program outcomes related to education, STEM, SEL & executive functioning, nutrition & fitness, arts & enrichment, youth leadership and family engagement.
• Responsible for developing and implementing strategies that will lead to achieving program outcomes.
• Supervise the day-to-day functions of the program.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with the school administration, NYC Department of Health, Department of Youth & Community Development, and other agencies as appropriate.
• Develop relationships with parents which calls for consistent communication and outreach, promotion of parent involvement practices such as parent orientations, workshops, invitations to student EXPOs, and program celebrations.
• Align with afterschool participants' parents to parent engagement programs and services by working together with the parent coordinator.
• Participate in the hiring of content specialist, support and program staff with the Community School Director.
• Assure the quality of the program through regular staff supervision, observations, evaluation, staff training and program development.
• Maintain and ensure that all administrative details of the program are implemented.
• Manage School Age Child Care (SACC) and summer camp licenses, program registration, student enrollment forms, employee documentation and background clearances, attendance and order of supplies.
• In the absence of the Community School Director or Assistant Community School Director, oversee the management of all programs and activities in the Community School.
• Any other duties deemed necessary by the Community School Director or Assistant Community School Director.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience with afterschool programs and development, at least 1 year of supervisory experience, and administration, ideally within a school setting.

Key Competencies

• Knowledge and understanding of child and youth development.
• Strong instructional planning and program implementation skills.
• Ability to engage and manage groups of children in a structured learning environment.
• Experience working collaboratively with children, families, and staff.
• Effective communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt instruction to meet diverse learning needs.

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.