Assistant Director of Youth Development & Socio-Emotional Learning

ABOUT RED HOOK INITIATIVE(RHI)

Red Hook Initiative(RHI) is a community-based nonprofit organization working to improve the lives of the more than 6,500 residents of Red Hook Houses, Brooklyn's largest public housing complex. RHI believes that the social change to overcome systemic inequities begins with empowered youth, and that change in communities should come from within. In partnership with community adults, we nurture young people in Red Hook to be inspired, resilient, and healthy, and to envision themselves as co-creators of their lives, community, and society.

Youth development, community building, and community hiring are at the core of RHI's approach to strengthen Red Hook's future. Our model gives young people and residents the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to interrupt the systems and barriers that perpetuate historic inequities for the community. Residents lead the way toward a more equitable, hopeful future.

Over our 22-year history, RHI's model and dedicated team have been nationally recognized for our innovative, place-based approach to social change. RHI was recently awarded an unrestricted gift of $1M from MacKenzie Scott through her philanthropic open call venture, Yield Giving.

RHI's programs include:

• Youth Development: RHI engages over 450 adolescents each year, from middle school through young adulthood, endeavoring to interrupt cycles of injustice and to build hope.
• Building Community: Working with Red Hook youth and adults to organize, exercise leadership to drive positive change for the community, and increase social cohesion to build a more resilient neighborhood.
• Investing in Residents: RHI hires locally and invests in residents who will improve their lives and the community in which they live. More than $1.1M was earned in the last year by people from Red Hook.
• Red Hook Farms: A youth-centered urban agriculture and food justice program operating one of Brooklyn's original and largest farms. Red Hook Farms cultivates affordable, fresh produce and provides STEM and nutrition education, leadership development, and employment opportunities for local youth and residents.

THE OPPORTUNITY

RHI is seeking a detail-oriented and highly motivated Assistant Program Director of Youth Development & Socio-Emotional Learning (YD & SEL). Reporting to the Senior Director of Youth Development & Socio-Emotional Learning, The Assistant Program Director of Youth Development & Socio-Emotional Learning (YD & SEL) supports the design and daily operations of RHI's year-round programs serving youth ages 11 to 18. Reporting to the Senior Director of YD & SEL, this role leads after-school, holiday, and summer initiatives, including Freedom Schools, and ensures programs align with academic, wellness, and leadership goals. Acting as the lead in the Senior Director's absence, the Assistant Director supervises staff, ensures compliance with all program protocols, and supports youth in achieving personal, educational, and career milestones. The Assistant Program Director will maintain a day-to-day bird's eye view of the program's overall performance, troubleshooting barriers for youth or for staff in achieving program outcomes.

Supervises: Youth Workers, Summer Interns, Activity Specialists

Key Collaborators: College & Workforce Success Team, Clinical Counselors, Community Building Team, Director and Assistant Director of Red Hook Farms, Director of People Operations & Culture, RHI Operations Team

Hours per week: 40 hours/week, exempt, Monday - Thursday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (In person), Friday 9 am - 5 pm (In Person as needed) Summer Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (In Person)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities: The responsibilities of the Assistant Program Manager include but are not limited to:

Program Oversight & Youth Engagement

• Oversee daily operations of after-school and summer programs for up to 150 youth, ensuring high-quality, responsive programming.
• Design and manage curriculum and program plans for up to 8 annual youth programs, aligning with funder expectations and RHI's mission.
• Lead youth recruitment, intake, and retention strategies to maintain consistent engagement across seasonal programming.
• Co-develop annual program goals and evaluation strategies; assess short- and long-term outcomes to inform continuous improvement.
• Plan and execute trips, events, enrichment activities, and family engagement opportunities that expand youth exposure and connect to learning objectives.
• Promote and model trauma-informed, healing-centered, and positive youth development practices.
• Serve as Site Coordinator for the Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools program and manage all related planning and implementation.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Supervise and provide weekly coaching to program staff, including Youth Workers, and Freedom Schools interns and site staff.
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, goal-setting, performance monitoring, and professional development of staff in alignment with RHI's values and contractual obligations.
• Facilitate regular team meetings to maintain alignment and morale.
• Identify staff training needs and coordinate with HR and senior leadership to implement solutions.
• Oversee Youth Worker/Activity Specialist work plans and ensure accountability to program milestones and outcomes.
• Provide leadership in crisis response, therapeutic crisis intervention, and conflict resolution as needed.

Compliance & Administration

• Collaborate with the Senior Director to manage program systems, operations, and workflows for quality and efficiency.
• Track attendance, participation, and outcomes; ensure timely, accurate data entry.
• Support the preparation of grant reports, compliance documentation, and program evaluations.
• Track and review staff timekeeping, ensuring payroll and scheduling systems are accurate and up to date.
• Coordinate with RHI leadership on budget-related decisions and help manage program resources and inventory.
• Ensure program compliance with SACC (School-Age Child Care) and Department of Health regulations, including food service, fire drills and training requirements.
• Lead policy enforcement to ensure staff and youth follow established program expectations and protocols.
• Participate in internal and external professional development, licensing, and capacity-building opportunities.

Partnership & Case Support

• Maintain Communication with the Senior Director and contribute updates, reports, and reflections during weekly staff and ad-hoc meetings.
• Represent RHI at external meetings and cultivate youth-serving partnerships.
• Participate in case conferencing and support behavioral health referrals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with middle school and high school youth from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of youth development principles, including Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
• Proven ability to motivate participants in areas such as Academic Support, STEAM, Leadership Development, and Healthy Living.

Additional Requirements:

• Flexibility to attend occasional morning, evening, or weekend meetings and training.
• Commitment to a strength-based and youth development approach.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Successful completion of all required background checks and clearances.

COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills & Personal Attributes)

• Strong management and supervisory skills; able to lead and manage change; able to lead and motivate intergenerational staff.
• Strong project and task management skills
• Ability to build rapport with RHI youth, ensure connection to appropriate resources, and hold them accountable to RHI's participant expectations, policies and procedures.
• Commitment to the success and well-being of young people.
• Knowledge of strengths-based case management approaches.
• Enthusiastic about community-based work and youth development.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with external partners and organizations.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing curriculum.
• Exemplified ability to communicate effectively both externally and across all levels of an organization, including supervisors, peers, and direct reports, with a focus on transparency, respect, and team alignment.
• Detail-oriented with proven ability to keep accurate records and documents.
• Strong organizational, planning, and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Able and willing to advocate on behalf of the program participants and staff.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree required
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience (youth development, social work, education, etc), including at least three (3) years in a supervisory/managerial position.
• Experience developing and supporting staff to develop curriculum and programs.
• Red Hook resident preferred.
• English/Spanish/Mandarin, Bilingual preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS (ENVIRONMENT) & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The RHI work environment is characteristic of a typical indoor office/program environment and the noise level is generally quiet to moderate.
• While performing administrative duties the employee will operate a computer and other office equipment. During this time the employee may sit or stand at will. During youth program hours, there is more movement (e.g. standing and walking, moving tables and chairs to set up the room).

• RHI provides a hybrid work arrangement for employees, when possible. In this role, a hybrid schedule can be arranged when direct services are not in session.

• This job is primarily based on-site at RHI's main program office in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The ideal candidate will either be a resident of Red Hook or one of its neighboring communities or will be in reasonable commuting distance to RHI's main program office.

The ideal candidate should be able to meet the physical demands of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

COMMITMENT TO DEI & EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

RHI actively engages individuals from all backgrounds and is committed to embracing diversity across all areas and aspects of the organization. We firmly believe that an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect towards individual differences and embracing an inclusive and equitable environment is indispensable to building a successful organization, contributing to a positive and meaningful employment experience for staff, and advancing the best possible outcomes for the clients served by RHI's programs. We are also committed to community hiring and supporting the job prospects of Red Hook residents.

As an equal opportunity employer, RHI is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, age, marital status, military status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, or any other characteristic or basis prohibited by applicable law.

This position is based on-site at RHI's main program office in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The ideal candidate should be within reasonable commuting distance to our main program office or a resident of Red Hook or one of its neighboring Brooklyn communities. Proof of full COVID vaccination is required prior to starting employment.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

RHI strives to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects our core values and commitment to our employees. The salary for this position is: $68K - $72K commensurate with an employee's or candidate's competencies and experience. Additionally, RHI provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which includes 12 counseling sessions per year, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health, dependent and commuter expenses, life insurance, 24 PTO days, "Summer Fridays," when possible and a hybrid work schedule when direct services are not in session.

TO APPLY

Please log on to the RHI career portal at: https://rhicenter.applicantpro.com/jobs/ for further instructions about how to apply for this position. Please be sure to attach your cover letter and resume as one combined pdf.

Date Issued: [5/23/2025]

Salary : $68,000 - $72,000