STEAM Afterschool Activity Specialist – SONYC Blvd (Part-Time)

Sunnyside Community Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunnyside Community Services seeks a dynamic STEAM Activity Specialist to lead hands‑on science, technology, engineering, arts and math activities for K–8 students in a family shelter.

You will design engaging lessons, deliver age‑appropriate STEAM activities, and collaborate with the Youth and Family Services team to support enrichment programs in Elmhurst, Queens.

The role requires 18+ years, afterschool teaching experience, and NYC clearance; hours are Monday–Friday, 2–6 pm, with some breaks.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years old or older.
• Available Monday – Friday during program hours (3–6 pm).
• Able to work during school breaks for camp activities.
• Bachelor’s degree or 18+ STEAM credits with proof of expertise/experience.
• Experience teaching STEAM and a minimum of two years in an afterschool environment.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills; able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• This role begins in September after clearances; staff commit until end of the school year.
• All candidates go through NYC Public Schools clearance prior to working with youth.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a group of participants with the Group Leader; ensure safety and well‑being.
• Prepare materials and examples in advance for understanding during activities.
• Design and deliver STEAM and leadership-focused programming for K–8.
• Use varied instructional methods to meet diverse learning styles.
• Introduce fundamental STEAM concepts and engineering challenges.
• Plan and facilitate age‑appropriate STEAM activities that promote teamwork and problem‑solving.
• Develop hands‑on experiences that foster collaboration, innovation, social, and academic growth.
• Create opportunities to discuss local and global issues through real‑world learning.
• Lead STEAM activities including arts-based projects (music, drama, poetry, writing, art).
• Facilitate coding, robotics, engineering challenges, and math enrichment.
• Collaborate with Program Director and Content Specialist on initiatives.
• Complete additional tasks as necessary.

Skills

Teaching STEAM

Classroom management

Program coordination

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree or 18+ STEAM credits

Tools

Coding

Robotics

Digital media

Job description

We are looking for a responsible, enthusiastic, and team-oriented STEAM Activity Specialist to lead engaging, hands‑on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) lessons for students in grades K–8 residing in a family shelter. The ideal candidate has a passion for teaching young minds, enjoys working with kids, and can create a positive, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating learning environment. This role involves designing and delivering age‑appropriate STEAM activities that foster curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity.

This position will be a part of our Youth and Family Services offered at Sunnyside Community Services, which includes a pre‑kindergarten program, after‑school programs for elementary and middle school students, high school job readiness, career readiness, and enrichment programming and Adult and Immigrant Services.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a group of participants along with the Group Leader and provide for the safety and well‑being of participants.
• Prepare materials and examples in advance for student understanding during activities.
• Design and deliver STEAM and leadership-focused educational programming for youth tailored to students in grades K–8.
• Use a variety of instructional methods to meet the diverse learning styles of students.
• Introduce fundamental STEAM concepts and engineering challenges.
• Plan and facilitate engaging, age‑appropriate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) activities that promote teamwork, problem‑solving, critical thinking, creativity, and foundational academic skills.
• Develop and implement hands‑on learning experiences that encourage collaboration, innovation, and the social, emotional, and academic growth of participants.
• Create opportunities for participants to explore, learn about, and engage in discussions related to local and global issues through meaningful, real‑world learning experiences.
• Design and lead a variety of STEAM activities, including arts‑based projects such as music, drama, poetry, creative writing, drawing, painting, and other visual and performing arts.
• Facilitate STEM‑focused activities such as coding, robotics, engineering challenges, science experiments, mathematics enrichment, chess, strategic games, and other technology‑based learning experiences.
• Work collaboratively with the Program Director and Content Specialist on program initiatives and requirements.
• Complete additional tasks as necessary.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years old or older.
• Must be available Monday – Friday during program hours (3 – 6 pm).
• Ability to work during school breaks to conduct camp activities.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field or have 18 or more education/STEAM related credits (should have proof of expertise/experience in related area). Example of desired areas of knowledge – science, coding, digital media, arts-related work (visual, performing, literacy arts), math.
• Experience with teaching STEAM and a minimum of two years’ experience in an afterschool environment.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• This position begins in September after clearances are completed. Afterschool staff are expected to be committed to the position until the end of the school year in June.
• All candidates will go through the New York City Public Schools clearance process and complete a variety of mandated training prior to beginning work with youth.

Hourly rate

$22.00 – $25.00

Hours

Monday – Friday 2 – 6 pm (Schedules may vary)

Location

SONYC Blvd After‑School Program at Samaritan Village Family Residence in Elmhurst, Queens

All positions at Sunnyside Community Services are filled without regard to race/color, religion/creed, national origin, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy‑related condition or lactation, military/veteran status, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, height, weight, status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/ sex offenses, predisposing genetic characteristic, immigration or citizenship status, prior arrest or conviction record, credit history, salary history, unemployment status, pre‑employment marijuana testing, union affiliation/activity, or for reporting or opposing discrimination on these bases or for reporting or opposing violations of workplace health and safety, pay equity or practices, or for participating in any internal or any legally protected status listed in the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). All are encouraged to apply.

Sunnyside Community Services strives to address, explore, and educate all our stakeholders about the diversity of human experience and to advance and integrate racial equity and social justice into all organizational policies and programs. We believe that everyone, regardless of who they are or what they do for the organization, should feel equally involved and supported.

Sunnyside Community Services represents a commitment to considering the whole person and how systemic barriers and access to opportunities can affect their well‑being.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer