Group Leader (Jack August)

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults through-out Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families. The Isaacs Center focuses primarily on the needs of children and low-income families, out-of-school and out-of-work youth, and aging New Yorkers. We operate at community centers located in the neighborhoods of East Harlem and Yorkville, and seek to deliver programs that are impactful, innovative, and intergenerational.

Program Description: Goddard Riverside/Stanley Isaacs is working with the Susan Rubenstein Foundation to ease poverty and provide opportunities by operating an Afterschool Program on the Upper Eastside. The Jack August after-school program is in the Stanley Isaacs Community Center and serves youth from Issacs/Holmes NYCHA development. Afterschool operates during the school calendar year in non-school hours on weekdays by offering integrated programming tailored to local needs.

Position Summary: Group Leaders are assigned to lead and work with a group of co-ed children and staff. Groups are divided into grade groups for reading enrichment, project-based learning, group games, social emotional competencies, and field trips. Group Leaders work in unison with other Group Leaders and activity specialists. Together and through Group Work practice, our staff works to provide a positive and creative environment for the social and intellectual  development of all participants.

Schedule: Monday-Friday (2:00pm-6:00pm)

Salary Range: $21-$23/hr

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidate’s number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.

Role, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties

• Fostering a learning environment that stimulates children’s creative growth and development. 
• Demonstrate professionalism & leadership be a team member of a group of staff and a group of 20-25 youth in grades K-5. 
• Maintain sound supervision and always ensure the safety of program participants. 
• Supervising Group Leader Assistants and other supportive staff. 
• Deliver recreational and cultural programs to develop community and explore the school year theme through art, games, and varied projects. 
• Supervise youth and participate in all activities. 
• Building positive relationships with youth and peers, serving as a role model with respect to demeanor, communication, behavior and the organization’s mission, philosophy, and goals. 
• Working with children on developmental and emotional issues is important.
• Encourage program participation and development of social skills. 
• Teach and supervise organized games and assist the activity specialist, escort groups to and from activity areas and field trips and carry out other tasks as directed by Program Coordinator. 
• Fulfill administrative requirements (schedules, community events, attendance records, incident reports, and progress reports).
• Enforce program rules, identify, and respond to participant behavior issues, and carry out corrective action when needed by identifying and seeking to resolve conflicts and behavioral problems (including those with staff). 
• Communicate with families about participant experiences and report concerns to Program Coordinator and Program Director. 
• Know and enforce ALL emergency procedures and follow safety guidelines associated with all program areas. This includes being responsible for your children’s safety and whereabouts. 
• Attend staff training, weekly meetings, case conferences, and supervision meetings. 
• Other duties as required and assigned by Program Director and Program Coordinator.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to lead people and achieve results through collaboration.
• Reliable and punctual; consistently follows instructions and seeks feedback for performance improvement.
• Strong interpersonal skills—courteous, professional, and discreet in handling sensitive situations.
• Excellent oral, written, and active listening skills; strong presentation and email/phone etiquette.
• Creative, proactive, and quality-driven approach to work.
• Capable of building relationships with staff, students, families, and community partners.
• Sensitive to organizational reputation and employee goodwill.
• Committed to continuous improvement and best practices.
• Polite, professional, and student-focused in all interactions.
• Adheres to all rules and expectations of the Jack August After School Program.

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age 
• Must have at least one (1) year or more experience working with school-aged children in groups.
• High School Diploma/GED preferred.
• Must have the ability to work collaboratively.
• Must be able to pass a Fingerprint Screen, Sex Offender Registry and be physically able to work with children (via a doctor’s signed consent including TB screening) 
• Complete 5-hour online training in Foundations in Health and Safety 
• CPR/First Aid Certification a plus 
• Computer Literacy; Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or Google Suite (Gmail, Google docs, sheets, slides) 

Work Environment/Physical Requirements

• Weekday afternoon shifts typically from 2:00 PM – 6:30 PM
• Occasional evening or weekend hours for events or training
• Supervision required both indoors and outdoors, including in varying weather conditions
• Frequent bending, kneeling, walking, and lifting up to 25 pounds
• Must be physically able to actively participate in youth activities and support program setup/breakdown

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.