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University of Pennsylvania seeks a Group Leader to deliver high-energy afterschool and enrichment programs for K-12 students in the Netter Center for Community Partnerships. You will implement engaging STEM, arts, and literacy activities, supervise students, and coordinate with Penn students and community partners.
The role requires a high school diploma (a college degree in education or related fields preferred) and at least 3 years of youth programming experience.
University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been consistently ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
UACS Group Leader
Temporary Employee - Non-Exempt
Founded in 1992, the Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships is the University’s primary vehicle for advancing civic and community engagement at Penn. It brings together the resources and assets of both the University and the wider community to help solve universal problems such as poverty, health inequities, environmental sustainability, and inadequate, unequal education as they are manifested in the University’s local geographic area of West Philadelphia and Philadelphia at large. The Netter Center develops and helps implement democratic, mutually transformative, place-based partnerships between Penn and West Philadelphia that advance research, teaching, learning, practice, and service and improve the quality of life on campus and in the community. The Netter Center works with and serves as a model for other higher education institutions across the United States and around the world.
The Netter Center’s university-assisted community schools (UACS) is a strategy to educate, engage, empower, and serve all members of the community in which the school is located and engage students (K-16+) in real world, community problem solving learning. UACS collaborates with partners to advance teaching, research, learning and service, as well as the civic development of their students.
Group Leaders are required to provide high-quality direct instruction/service to students enrolled in either the UACS K-8 and/or High School afterschool/OST enrichment programs. Group Leaders lead and implement fun, educational, problem-solving learning activities in STEM, arts, literacy and career exploration areas; participate in reflective practice with students and staff; cultivate strong relationships with students, and assist with management of necessary data collection (like student attendance and participation). Group Leaders work alongside Penn students, SDP Teacher-Partners, community partners and others to deliver high-quality programs. The position reports to the Site Director or Program Manager.
Education: High school diploma required, College degree preferred in early childhood education, education or social service fields. MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EDUCATION (official and unofficial transcripts accepted)
Experience: minimum of 3 years work experience with elementary-aged children and/or high school youth development programming
Ability to be excited and actively and constructively engage youth in a variety of activities
Knowledge of grade-level content, activities and curricula for students
Completion and passing of funder-required compliance documentation and all Federal and State background checks/clearances. You may be required to renew your clearances, before beginning work. Clearances include:
Experience with working in School District of Philadelphia, urban settings and diverse student populations
Ability to be flexible and work on a team
Excellent interpersonal, organization and communication skills
Punctual and regular attendance
BE POSITIVE, PHYSICALLY ENGADED, HIGH ENERGY AND FUN!!
Work collaboratively as a part of a team
Use trauma-informed care practices
Ensure that students are safe at all times. This includes reinforcement of safety precautions
Plan and implement enrichment activities alongside other staff with students
Attend all Netter UACS staff training and meetings
Take attendance, assist with student sign in/sign out process, and manage required paperwork as directed
Support the delivery of academic instruction and curricula as assigned
Play and engage with students in outdoor and indoor spaces during assigned times
Assist with set-up and clean-up of materials, supplies and equipment including preparing and securing instructional spaces (classrooms etc.)
Supervise and direct students according to site-specific and UACS rules and guidance
Be familiar with and strive to be in compliance with the Netter Center University-Assisted Community Schools Expectations and School Dist. Of Phila. Core Standards for Youth Programs
Other duties as assigned
Varies - some average of 20 hours/week Monday - Friday 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
There may be in-person and virtual orientation sessions in August and early September, as schedules allow.
The UACS academic year afterschool/OST enrichment programs typically run seasonally from Monday - Friday 9/9/2026 - 6/11/2027
There is typically no work on SDP school closure days, however staff training may be scheduled on such dates.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
School of Arts and Sciences
$7.25 - $18.00 Hourly Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.
A background check may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
Please note that benefit eligibility is determined/based on ACA guidelines.