Assistant Program Director - Cornerstone

Position Title: Assistant Program Director

Department: Middle & High School

Site/Location: Patterson Community Center

FSLA Classification: Non-Exempt

Salary: $45,000 - $50,000

Reports To: Program Director

MISSION STATEMENT
East Side House cares for the individuals, families, and communities we serve by expanding opportunities for them to live more fulfilling lives through education, career development, and supportive services.

JOB DESCRIPTION
Summary/ Objective
East Side House (ESH) provides year-round educational, recreational, cultural, and workforce readiness programs in NYCHA community centers and school-based sites. Reporting to the Program Director, the Assistant Program Director supports daily operations, supervises staff, and helps deliver safe, engaging, and inclusive programming for youth, adults, and families. This role assists with program planning, scheduling, and compliance; supports and coaches staff to deliver high-quality activities; and builds relationships with participants, families, and community partners. The Assistant Program Director works closely with the Program Director, Activity Specialist, and Group Leaders to ensure programming promotes academic success, leadership, and social-emotional growth while meeting the community needs and aligning with ESH’s mission.

 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Program Director, the Assistant Program Director supports the daily operations of Cornerstone and/or COMPASS programs, ensuring smooth service delivery for youth, adults, and intergenerational participants. This includes:

• Serving as on-site lead during program hours to ensure safety, structure, and engagement.
• Assisting with program planning, scheduling, compliance, and activity supervision.
• Coaching and supporting Group Leaders, Activity Specialist, and interns to deliver high-quality programming.
• Leading staff scheduling, coverage and onboarding, and facilitating team huddles and check-ins.
• Maintaining welcoming program spaces, fostering positive participant and family relationships, and supporting outreach/recruitment/retention efforts.
• Engaging participants, addressing behavior concerns, and assisting with community events and family engagement initiatives.
• Managing attendance, incident reports, and compliance documentation, including DYCD Connect and CACFP logs.
• Communicating with families, staff, and partners , and collaborating with ESH departments for operational needs.
• Preparing calendars, flyers, and program materials, and serving as acting lead in Program Director’s absence.
• Participating in trainings, meetings, and agency-wide initiatives, and performing other duties as assigned.

Other Duties
Please note that this job description is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee in this role. Duties, obligations, and activities are subject to change at any time, with or without notice.

Qualifications
To perform this position successfully, the Assistant Program Director must demonstrate strong leadership, adaptability, and a commitment to youth and community development. Candidates should meet the following qualifications:

Education / Experience

• Associate’s degree required; equivalent of 1+ years of equivalent experience in youth services or community programming.
• Familiarity with Bronx communities, local stakeholders, and resources.
• Experience planning and delivering structured, outcome-based programs.
• Strong administrative skills, including documentation, scheduling, and data-entry.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Knowledge of NYC public education and positive youth development practices.
• Strong communication, organization, and attention to detail.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred; DYCD Connect experience a plus.

Competencies

• Leadership Support: Assist in program operations and staff supervision.
• Youth-Centered Approach: Prioritizes participant needs and growth.
• Community Engagement: Builds positive relationships with families and partners.
• Problem Solving: Responds flexibly and effectively to challenges.
• Time Management: Balances tasks and deadlines efficiently.
• Collaboration: Contributes to a positive team culture.
• Communication: Communicates professionally with youth, families, and partners.
• Administrative Accuracy: Maintains detailed, timely, and organized records.
• Cultural Responsiveness: Respects and values diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Technical Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office and data systems.

Clearance
Employees must be clear to work at ESH. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background checks and/or screenings.

Required Clearances

1. Clearance by the Department of Health (DOH)
2. Clearance by the Department of Education (DOE)
3. Clearance from the New York State Child Abuse Registry
4. Physical with TB screen
5. 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

Supervisory Responsibility
This position is responsible for supervising and managing the performance of all designated employees assigned to the position within the department.

Physical Demands
This role may involve occasional lifting or moving of items up to 25 pounds and routine use of standard office equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Expected Work Schedule

The typical work schedule for this position includes the following:

• Weekday evening shifts (typically 3:00 PM-11:00 PM, with potential for Saturday and Sunday shifts, based on site-specific programming).

EEO Statement
East Side House (ESH) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.