Activity Specialist - Literacy and Leadership @ PS 939/MS 936

JOB TITLE: Activity Specialist – Literacy & Leadership

LOCATION: PS 939, 270 59th St, Brooklyn NY 11220

PAY RATE: $25-$28/hour, commensurate with education and experience

EXEMPTION: Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Program Director

SUPERVISES: N/A

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: To create and facilitate age-appropriate applied literacy activities for after-school participants (K-8th) as part of multidisciplinary team

I. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and implement engaging lessons that integrate literacy, social emotional learning, leadership development, civic engagement, and the arts
• e.g. read-aloud circles, heritage month initiatives, service projects, storytelling workshops, reading buddies, book club, etc.
• Design activities that promote teamwork, communication, and experimentation in large and small group settings
• Utilize thoughtful group-management skills (restorative processes instead of punitive discipline) in a non-traditional classroom setting
• Manage a targeted tutoring initiative consisting of biweekly small-group instruction following the Phonics Adventures curriculum
• Contribute to the planning and execution of special events, staff development training, and other community building activities
• Attend weekly professional development meetings
• Provide daily program support as needed including but not limited to: supervising transitions, cleaning shared spaces, organizing materials, assisting with administrative tasks

II. QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum education requirement: Bachelor’s degree
• Strong youth development background
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Flexibility and the ability to work well as a member of a team of different disciplines (artists, social workers, young adult staff)
• Self-directed and eagerness to develop a curriculum covering a wide range of subjects
• Interested in managing and creating positive experiences for groups of youth, including participants with special needs and challenging behaviors
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high energy level
• Bilingual: English/Mandarin/Cantonese or English/Spanish, preferred

III. RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS

• Build and maintain positive working relationships and daily interactions with participants, volunteers, co-workers, and supervisors
• Have a strong sensitivity to cultural and identity differences among staff and clients
• Possess a strong belief in people’s ability to grow and change
• Forge a mutually respectful partnership with persons served and their families
• Willing to reflect on and expand understandings of authority, boundaries, and conflict resolution
• Follow agency policies designed to promote personal/professional boundaries

IV. WORKING CONDITIONS

• Be comfortable managing ongoing projects in addition to day-to-day tasks
• Actively engage and interact with children each day
• May be required to be active by walking, bending, standing, squatting or sitting on the floor with children
• May be exposed to all weather conditions and might be required to work in various temperatures in order to facilitate activities in various locations inside and outside of the school building
• Adhere to agency dress code daily (CFL T-shirt and clothing/shoes that allow you to move comfortably)

V. SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Specialist’s role focuses on creating meaningful group activities while sharing leadership responsibilities with a team of colleagues and supervisors

VI. SCHOOL YEAR SCHEDULE

20-24 hours per week

Monday to Friday, 2pm to 6pm

One morning meeting and one evening meeting, to be scheduled

Occasional holiday camps and extended professional development days