Cornerstone Director

Founded in 1981, NIA Community Services Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing issues that impact youth, families, and seniors. NIA’s mission, to strengthen and empower children, families, and communities through comprehensive programming and vital human services, is evidenced each day through programming that directly supports and enriches the lives of children and families we serve at nearly 50 sites located across many of New York City's most diverse and underserved neighborhoods through after-school programs, summer day camps, cultural arts opportunities, youth and family counseling services, parent workshops, community assistance, referral services, senior support programs, and community events.

Visit us at www.niabklyn.org.

Cornerstone Programs are located in NYCHA community centers throughout New York City and provide academic and recreational opportunities for children, teens and adults. The center offers services every weekday from 10:00am to 10:00pm, Saturdays from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and during extended hours during the summer and on school holidays from 8:00am through 11:00pm, 7 days a week.

The Cornerstone Director is the lead on-site supervisor of the Cornerstone program, responsible for managing day-to-day operations of the site, including staff supervision, facility management, scheduling and programming, and stakeholder relationships. The position of Cornerstone Director is a critical, visible position requiring exceptional leadership, strong management experience, and a successful track record of working with government contracts and nonprofit organizations providing social services. The Director should be highly flexible in dealing with the challenges of developing new programs and working to meet the needs of the community with compassion and innovation. The Director should have experience with community-based services for youth, children and families, including advocating with participants in NYCHA housing developments.

The Director should have proven ability to manage a professional staff and interact with the community using a strengths-based approach. They must be a hands-on strategic thinker, a planner and problem solver, prepared to lead and direct staff through change and program development. Excellent communication skills are critical. The Director must be comfortable communicating with participants from the community, and equally comfortable in training staff or presenting before elected officials and public agency administrators.

Responsibilities:

• Effectively manage on-site staff, including Assistant Directors, direct-service Group Leaders and Instructors, Office Manager, security team, and building maintenance team.
• Assist with recruitment and hiring efforts, train staff, and provide ongoing performance feedback.
• Develop educational and recreational summer and school year programming in accordance with funder, licensor, and NIA guidelines and contractual obligations.
• Make an ongoing effort to advocate for community support, and conduct regular program assessments and feedback surveys to ensure program services adequately address community needs.
• Professionally represent NIA on site and cultivate relationships with community partners, co-locators, and sub-contractors; serve as the primary liaison between NIA and all partners.
• Responsible for participation recruitment and retention.
• Oversee and monitor DYCD Cornerstone database to ensure program is accurately reporting daily attendance and schedule, maintaining required rate of participation, and meeting funder targets.
• Plan large-scale community events and trips for participants.
• Attend community Resident Association meetings, develop and coordinate Youth Council and program Advisory Board meetings.
• Ensure maintenance and cleanliness of facility and coordinate with agency (NYCHA & DYCD) to proactively and effectively address facility issues.
• Responsible for the CACFP Food Program on site and all of its components, including reporting and maintaining appropriate documentation.
• Maintain ongoing communication with assigned NIA supervisor.
• Participate in organization meetings and professional development sessions as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the success and smooth operation of the Cornerstone program.

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent of 5 years in youth services preferred, with at least 2 of those in a supervisory role required; master’s degree in a related field preferred
• Excellent leadership, supervisory, and team-building skills, including the ability to motivate, align staff efforts to changing priorities and approaches, set goals, delegate responsibilities, and manage staff performance so as to ensure effective service delivery in accordance with organizational goals and program contracts.
• Must be an effective communicator and possess strong public speaking and writing skills.
• The ability to work independently, assess priorities, take initiative, be flexible, and thrive under pressure while working on multiple tasks and projects.
• Experience with effective management of crisis intervention, handling mental health and medical emergencies, and working with people with histories of trauma is a plus.
• Must be computer proficient and skilled in managing multiple administrative tasks.
• Must be available to maintain a full-time work schedule, within the operating hours of the Cornerstone program, including weekend and evening coverage as needed.
• Familiarity with the Coney Island community, NYCHA housing developments, DOE and youth programming, and DYCD programming is preferred.
• Must obtain NYC Dept. of Health and State Central Register (SCR) clearance; must have or obtain NYS Food Handler’s Certificate and CPR/First Aid certification.
• Must qualify to be named Director on DOH SACC license or be willing to obtain SAC credential.

This is a full-time position with a starting salary of $65,000-75,000, depending upon experience.