The Police Athletic League (PAL) is the largest independent youth organization in New York City that provides educational and recreational activities for children and young adults. PAL Inc. and The New York City Police Department work in partnership to provide communities with summer and after-school recreational and educational activities.

We are looking for a Community School Director who will be a part of a strategy to organize resources and share leadership to integrate social services into the fabric of the schools. Community Schools are equipped to better serve the needs of families so that students come to school ready and able to learn. Community Schools offer a holistic approach toward improving academic performance driven by strong, collaborative partnerships among principals, parents, teachers, and CBOs. In Community Schools, parents are real and active partners in their children’s education, the school climate is joyful and positive, and expanded learning opportunities are standard. 

An integral part of this approach is the integration and alignment of school- and community-based services throughout an expanded learning day (such as health, mental health, counseling, and academic enrichment). Critical to ensuring this alignment and coordination is a full-time staff person in the school building – the Community School Director (CSD).

This position is available at the P.S. 200- The James McCune Smith School - Manhattan

Programmatic Oversight

• Accountable for ensuring PAL maintains an emotionally and physically safe environment for youth that meets all compliance and safety requirements set forth by the organization, DOE, DOH, funders, and applicable labor law. 
• Serve as an advisor to the principal, providing leadership for coordinating the work of different partners within the school, and aligning the work of partners with the school faculty including but not limited to organizing and leading CBO providers' meetings.
• Work with school leadership to maintain a focus on results and track progress. Ensure that PAL is capturing, and analyzing data while functioning in a data-driven manner. 
• Responsible for recruitment and supervision of dedicated staff that meets the highest standards of qualifications in carrying out the mission of Community Schools and PAL. 
• Organize and oversee assets and needs assessments and seek input from teachers, school staff, parents, and students to determine the ongoing needs of students and families.
• Serve as a point person for agencies and programs interested in partnering with the school, and help to broker new partnerships that are aligned with school goals and needs.
• Increasing student access to mental health supports (including trauma supports) and trained professionals to create a trauma-responsive learning environment in the school-day and after-school
• Provide training and technical assistance to ensure cultural and linguistic appropriateness of services through a trauma-informed approach
• Work with PAL to support school and partnering agencies with training and resources for understanding systemic racism and inequities 
• Coordinate skill-development and informational workshops focused on strategies for supporting the academic growth of youth, education technologies, high school, and college readiness, as well as recreational activities designed to enhance mental wellness
• Oversee a combination of program activities including but not limited to expanded learning time, parent family and community engagement, mental health, holiday and Saturday programs, and summer activities. 
• Participate in school governance, community school team meetings, and specialized meetings such as attending meetings. 
• Assess students' and families needs by interpreting attendance policies; working as a team with school administrators to develop prevention/intervention strategies, monitor student progress, and make referrals to appropriate community agencies when necessary. 

Relationship and Partnership Management 

• Cultivates and forges positive relations with Principal, Assistant Principals, school district administrators, teachers, parents and parent coordinators, and other key constituents in the community while actively seeking to raise their awareness of the Community School and engage their support in ensuring programmatic quality for the youth we serve.
• Collaborates with all Community School partners on program delivery to align with the goals in relation to student achievement and performance. 
• Establishes parent involvement in areas of advocacy, special events, daily operations, education, and trips. 
• Promotes the Community School in the community through flier distribution, and attendance at meetings
• Creates and distributes program updates, attends outreach events, and establishes successful communication as the organization’s lead ambassador. 
• Identifies and utilizes community resources, including other schools, libraries, and community, and local government agencies. 
• Keeps supervisor informed of pertinent site information, including any challenges in fulfilling responsibilities 

Operations 

• Ensures the Program is compliant with DOE and DOHMH regulations, and timelines and stays abreast of all local, state and federal pandemic management conditions and requirements.
• Monitors and ensures all program compliance, including but not limited to student registration, ratios, attendance tracking, IDs, and online virtual learning. 
• Ensures that student attendance information is being properly collected and delivered to the Data Department on a weekly basis. 
• Ensures that new hires have taken appropriate steps prior to beginning work assignments (i.e., DOE background clearance, attended and completed required training, and all required HR paperwork completed). 
• Ensures timesheets are accurately completed and submitted to Payroll on time. 
• Maintains accurate records (i.e., staff files, program flyers, materials, schedule, and curriculum). 
• Reports site injuries via appropriate forms and immediately communicates incidents with school and PAL personnel. 
• Assist Director, Beacons & Community Schools in ensuring budgetary compliance and with submission of any required documents or reports to funding sources. 
• Tracks and cares for all equipment and supplies used by community school participants and staff.

Required Skills

• Reliable, organized, and punctual 
• Knowledge of effective sports, arts, academic, and college/career readiness programming 
• Knowledge of how to coordinate social services to meet youth and family needs 
• Understanding how to utilize a case management approach to meet youth and family needs 
• Expert understanding of New York City and New York State education requirements in an urban setting 
• Strong leader and team-builder 
• Ability to resolve conflicts and negotiate solutions 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with program staff and school partners 
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills with proven ability to interact with a diverse range of individuals both in person, virtually, and over the phone, applying tact and discretion as situations demand 
• Must have excellent organizational, time management, and follow-up skills 
• Must have extensive training and knowledge of DEI Framework 
• Must be able to clearly articulate outcome requirements and provide the necessary and appropriate resources and support for Community Educators, Lead Community Educators, Teachers, and Group Leaders to successfully deliver on objectives 
• Responsible and professional conduct that serves as a role model to staff and youth 
• Exhibits strong character traits and exercises patience and creativity while seeking win-win scenarios 
• Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines 
• Must demonstrate the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously 
• Experienced with E-learning and Virtual Learning 
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; concentration in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or Education preferred 
• Must have passion for PAL mission and demonstrated interest in the field of education and youth development 
• Prior work experience in urban education, including supervisory experience 
• Broad knowledge of the principles and practices of current educational trends in curriculum and instruction
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, and school partners including school administration and staff
• Must pass a pre-employment background investigation including but not limited to employment history and criminal background check 
• Must be available for all hours of the program on a daily basis 
• Bilingual: Fluent in Spanish highly preferred 
• At least 18.0 credit hours from an accredited college or university in the field of Child Development, Elementary Education, Physical Education, Recreation or a related field preferred 
• Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination is required 

The Police Athletic League seeks to hire staff who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. All positions at PAL are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All are encouraged to apply.