Activity Specialist - Summer Program (Beacon)

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults throughout Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families.

Program Description: Beacon Community Centers are in public schools throughout New York City and serve youth from kindergarten through age 21 and adults ages 22 and older, including Older Adults. Beacons operate year-round on non-school hours, weekdays, evenings, weekends and in the summer as a resource to the entire community by offering integrated programming tailored to local needs. During the summer, Beacons collaborate with the New York City Public Schools for the Summer Rising initiative.

Position Summary: Activity Specialist are assigned to work with a group of co-ed children, divided into groups by grade, in the areas of their expertise (Art, Computer Science, Dance, Games/Sports, Music, Storytelling), exposing them to various ways of expressing themselves creatively. Activity Specialists work in unison with Group Leaders and other group staff to support the social-emotional growth of the children. Together and through Group Work practice, our staff works to provide a positive and creative environment for the social and intellectual development of all participants.

Schedule: 3 days a week, M-F, June 22, 2026, through August 14, 2026, 1:00pm-4:00pm, 9-12 hours per week

Hourly Range: $20-$25/hr

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidate’s number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.

Role, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties

• Foster a learning environment that stimulates children’s creative growth and development.
• Demonstrate professionalism & leadership and collaborate with different groups of teams.
• Maintain sound supervision and always ensuring the safety of program participants.
• Incorporate the theme into various projects.
• Assist in delivering educational, recreational, and cultural programs to develop community and explore the summer theme through a performance or display project.
• Encourage program participation and social skills development.
• Teach and supervise activity in given field.
• Fulfill administrative requirements (prepare calendars, follow schedules, assist in community events, maintain attendance records, complete incident reports and progress reports).
• Enforce program rules, identify & respond to camper behavior issues, and carry out corrective action when needed by identifying and seeking to resolve conflicts and behavioral problems.
• Know and enforce ALL emergency procedures and follow all safety guidelines associated with all program areas. This includes but is not limited to being responsible for your campers’ safety and their whereabouts at all times.
• Attend staff training, weekly meetings and supervision meetings.
• Other duties as required and assigned by Program Director, ADED and/or DED.

Qualifications & Educational Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• At least one (2) year of experience working with children in groups.
• Some college preferred.
• Must have the ability to work collaboratively.
• Must have a sense of humor and a passion for youth development.
• Must be able to pass a Background Check including Fingerprint Screen

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Create and able to implement plans for group participation.
• Effectively supervise children.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent bending, kneeling, walking

Work Environment

• Mostly Indoors/Some outdoors

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Salary : $20 - $25