Program Director- NYCA Cornerstone

Position Description

Position

Program Director

Classification

Non-Exempt

Compensation

$50,000- $55,000

Department

Patterson Community Center

Location

210 Alexander Avenue

Reports to

Department Head of Middle Schools

DATE

5/12/2025

General Overview: East Side House Settlement is a community resource in the South Bronx. We believe education is the for key that enables all people to create an economic and civic opportunities for themselves, their families and the communities. We are seeking a dynamic, hard-working and creative leader who shares our passion for providing exceptional programming to children and families in the South Bronx and Northern section of Manhattan.

Under the supervision of the Department Head of Middle Schools, the Program Director, with latitude for independent judgment, will be responsible for the overall development, implementation and supervision of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCA) Cornerstone. Also, there is an expectation to develop and lead high quality, innovative programming for our middle school, high school, and adult participants.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program & Community Development:

• Provide leadership and strategic direction to full-time and part-time program staff assigned to a cornerstone, evenings, Saturdays, and summer day camp
• Recruit, hire, orient, and develop program staff
• Provide direct/indirect supervision of all program staff and delivery of services on a day-to-day basis, to ensure that all goals, targets, and performance outcomes are met on a daily/weekly/monthly basis
• Responsible for participant recruitment and retention strategies by utilizing the DYCD Connect report
• Serves as the primary liaison for school administration, parents, and other community entities and constituencies
• Prepare and evaluate mid-year performance reviews of program staff
• Work with program staff to improve job performance through ongoing mentoring and coaching, and monthly staff development
• Facilitate monthly team meetings and ensure that all staff meetings are adequately executed
• Set, communicate, and enforce clear standards for quality youth development programming
• Actively engage community residents, local businesses, community leaders, tenant association, youth, and Resident Advisor to participate on monthly advisory board and youth council to support to community needs
• Must understand and navigate community culture and dynamic to ensure program quality
• Participate in ongoing efforts to advocate for program needs via community coalition building and via administering feedback surveys and program assessments
• Provide and maintain a safe program environment abiding by safety protocols outlined by DYCD, ESH, Office of Child and Family Services, and DOH Safety plan.
• Seek partnership opportunities and bring in at least three new partners a year to leverage resources to support programs
• Create quarterly community events, special events, and workshop series
• Assess program on quarterly to ensure that community needs are met

Administrative:

• Ensure attendance tracking and reporting. Meet contractual requirements regarding enrollment and attendance
• Respond to all electronic and phone communication within two business days
• Ensure all DOH School-Aged Child Care and DOH Summer Day Camp regulations and procedures are complied with and conduct a quarterly self-checklist inspection
• Coordinate and execute all major events and activities along with other ESH's Program Directors
• Responsible for the CACFP Food Program and all its components, including reporting and maintaining appropriate documentation
• Communicate with NYCHA and DYCD key stakeholders, as well as participate in meetings
• Prepare a monthly calendar of events, programs, meetings, and activities
• Create a budget plan that supports program needs and ensure timely spending
• Collaborate on cross-borough and agency/ department-wide events and strategic planning efforts
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Department Director

Remote Engagement:

• Experience facilitating live and pre-recorded activities
• Familiarity using web-based platforms to engage participants: zoom, google classrooms, etc.
• Monitor participant engagement and safety while on live sessions remotely
• Facilitate wellness checks/calls to families
• Follow remote working plan, policies & procedures as highlighted by the supervisor
• Maintain remote/virtual attendance logs & records

Facilities

• Ensure the safety of program staff and participants over remote platform
• Maintain and diligently follow up on facility logs to ensure timely response
• Ensure facility maintenance and cleanliness and coordinate with partner agencies (NYCHA & DYCD) to address facility issues proactively
• Bi-yearly beautification/upgrade projects for the center

SUMMER: Manage all program operations (open seven days a week) as required and be available during off-hours to provide additional support as needed to the Assistant Director and Evening Supervisors (including weekends).

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Education, Experience and Skills Required:

1. Bachelor's degree or the equivalent of 5+ years in youth services preferred, at least 2 of those years are in a supervisory role required; master's degree in a related field preferred
2. Familiarity with the respective Bronx communities, key stakeholders, and resources
3. Experienced in designing, planning, and implementing structured programs
4. 2+ years in supervising more than ten program staff
5. 2+ years of budget, contract, and grant management experience
6. Ability to work independently, assesses priorities, and take initiative
7. High level of proficiency in administrative work
8. Capacity to thrive under pressure while working on multiple tasks and projects
9. Knowledge of the public education system and positive youth development best practices
10. Strong public speaking, writing, and organizational skills
11. A team player with a demonstrated commitment to working with urban youth and young adults from an strength-based perspective
12. Bi-lingual (Spanish preferred) a plus

Competencies

1. Project Management
2. Problem Solving/ Analysis
3. Communication Proficiency
4. Customer Service
5. Public/Community Relations
6. Teamwork Orientation

Position Type and Expected Hours of work:

This is a full-time position. Workdays/hours subject to change based on ESH’s needs.

School-Year: Monday-Friday, 8am–4pm, 10am–6pm, or 2pm-10pm, alternating Saturdays and School Holidays.

Summer: Monday-Friday, 8am–4pm or 3pm–11pm; at least 3 days out of the summer program weeks PD must close program at 11pm; Saturdays (various).

Required Clearances

1. Clearance by the Department of Health (DOH)
2. Clearance by the Department of Education (DOE)
3. Physical with TB screen
4. Must obtain NYC Dept. of Health fingerprint clearance and State Central Registry (SCR) clearance ($25 fee)

Required Trainings

1. Mandated Reporter, 2 hours - http://www.nysmandatedreporter.org/TrainingCourses.aspx 
2. Health & Safety Training, 5 hours - https://www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu

Work Environment

Corporate casual. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position may supervise assigned personnel, including front line staff and/or support staff.

Travel 

Travel is primarily locally during the business day.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This is generally a sedentary role; however, some filing and site visits are required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.