Program Director – COMPASS After-School & Summer Program

Areté Education; New York (NY); On-site; USD 67,500 - 82,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Retirement plan options

Job summary

Areté Education is seeking a Program Director for the COMPASS After-School & Summer Program in Bronx, NY. The role involves overseeing program implementation, staff supervision, and student engagement while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, a Bachelor's degree, and experience in youth development programming. A comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and paid time off, is offered.

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience working with children under age 13, including supervisory experience.
• Strong communication skills.
• Experience managing DYCD-funded programs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation of the COMPASS program.
• Manage staff recruitment, training, and evaluation.
• Monitor program quality and compliance.

Skills

Leadership and team management

Verbal and written communication

Organizational and project management

Data analysis for program improvement

Relationship building with stakeholders

Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Program Director – COMPASS After-School & Summer Program

P.S. 065 Mother Hale Academy
677 E 141st St, Bronx, NY 10454

Organization: Areté Education
Position Type: Full-Time (School Year and Summer Programming)
Schedule: Monday–Friday, approximately 10:00 AM–6:00 PM; evenings and weekends as needed
Location: On-Site, Bronx, NY
Salary Range: 75,000+ annually, commensurate with experience

About Areté Education

Areté Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving 1,500 students and families annually in the Bronx, Washington Heights, and Bed‑Stuy. Through afterschool, summer, and career-connected programs, Areté delivers 5,000+ program hours per year with a 97% graduation rate and 76% post-secondary enrollment.

Position Summary

The Program Director serves as the on‑site leader and supervisor of the COMPASS after‑school program, overseeing all aspects of program implementation, staff supervision, compliance, student engagement, and partnership development. The Program Director ensures the delivery of high‑quality youth development programming while maintaining compliance with Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) requirements and School‑Age Child Care (SACC) regulations.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader with strong organizational, communication, and relationship‑building skills who is passionate about supporting elementary‑aged youth and fostering positive outcomes for students, families, and staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Management

• Serve as the primary on‑site supervisor responsible for the overall success of the COMPASS program.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate high‑quality academic, enrichment, recreation, STEM, arts, wellness, and social‑emotional learning activities.
• Establish and monitor program goals, outcomes, and performance metrics.
• Ensure program quality, safety, and compliance with DYCD and SACC requirements.
• Lead annual program planning and support summer programming initiatives as assigned.
• Maintain organized program records, curriculum materials, and digital documentation.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate program staff.
• Approve staff schedules, timesheets, and payroll submissions.
• Conduct regular staff meetings, coaching sessions, and professional development opportunities.
• Provide guidance on classroom management, youth engagement, lesson planning, and instructional practices.
• Ensure proper staff‑to‑student ratios and coverage throughout program hours.

Student & Family Engagement

• Support student recruitment, enrollment, attendance, and retention efforts.
• Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally responsive environment.
• Build strong relationships with students, families, school personnel, and community partners.
• Coordinate family engagement events, student showcases, and special activities.

Compliance & Data Management

• Ensure accurate attendance tracking and reporting using required systems.
• Maintain all program documentation, staff files, certifications, and compliance records.
• Monitor health, safety, incident reporting, and emergency preparedness procedures.
• Submit reports and documentation required by Areté Education, DYCD, and school partners.

Partnership & Community Relations

• Serve as the liaison between Areté Education, P.S. 65 administration, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Participate in regular planning meetings with Areté leadership.
• Represent Areté Education at school events, meetings, trainings, and community functions.
• Collaborate across Areté teams to strengthen programming and identify growth opportunities.

Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following COMPASS Program Director requirements:

• Associate's degree in Child Development, Elementary Education, Physical Education, Recreation, or a related field and two (2) years of direct experience working with children under age 13, including one (1) year in a supervisory role;
• New York State Children's Program Administrator Credential and two (2) years of qualifying experience;
• School‑Age Child Care Credential (or equivalent recognized credential) and two (2) years of qualifying experience;
• Two years of college with at least 18 credits in Child Development, Elementary Education, Physical Education, Recreation, or a related field, plus two (2) years of qualifying experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 3–5 years of leadership experience in education, youth development, after‑school, or community‑based programming.
• Experience managing DYCD‑funded programs and/or SACC‑licensed sites strongly preferred.
• Experience supervising staff and managing program operations.
• Knowledge of positive youth development and social‑emotional learning practices.
• Experience with student data systems and program evaluation.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to analyze data and use findings to improve program outcomes.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and youth development.
• Ability to build productive relationships with students, families, school personnel, and community stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and related technology platforms.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to work independently.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to move throughout school facilities and activity spaces.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds when necessary.
• Ability to support classroom and activity‑based programming through movement, bending, and standing.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health insurance offered
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities
• Retirement plan options

Areté Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and program participants. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.