Game Design/Coding Specialist – Afterschool Program
We hire for this position in Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Manhattan.
Openings vary across 30+ sites throughout the school year. Our complete list is at nyjtl.org/aces-sites
About New York Junior Tennis & Learning
For over fifty years, New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) has honored its founder Arthur Ashe’s legacy by celebrating the diversity of children, encouraging them to reach their highest potential through free tennis and academic programs. NYJTL is the largest provider of youth tennis and education programs in the nation, providing services in 100 unique sites across all five boroughs while reaching nearly 90,000 kids. In addition, NYJTL designed, funded (with NYC), built and operates the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the South Bronx. All NYJTL community tennis and after school programs are offered at no cost to its participants.
The mission of NYJTL is to develop the character of young people through tennis and education for a lifetime of success on and off the court. It believes life skills gained through tennis, academics, healthy living, and character development are a catalyst for long-term achievement.
Position Summary
The Game Design/Coding Specialist will plan and facilitate innovative, hands-on technology programming for middle school students in grades 6–8. The specialist will introduce students to computer science, coding fundamentals, game development, digital design, and interactive technology through engaging, project-based learning experiences. Students will have opportunities to learn programming languages and platforms, design original games, develop characters and storylines, and explore the technology behind digital experiences. The specialist will encourage creativity, computational thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving while helping students develop projects that can be shared through demonstrations, competitions, and showcases.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and facilitate engaging coding lessons, game design workshops, and technology-based projects.
- Introduce students to coding fundamentals, computational thinking, algorithms, and programming concepts.
- Teach students to use age-appropriate coding platforms and game development tools.
- Guide students in designing and developing original video games, interactive stories, characters, and digital experiences.
- Introduce concepts such as game mechanics, level design, user experience, animation, and digital storytelling.
- Incorporate opportunities for students to explore problem-solving, debugging, and iterative design.
- Encourage collaboration through group coding challenges and team-based game development projects.
- Prepare students to present their games and digital projects at technology showcases and program events.
- Promote digital literacy, creativity, innovation, and responsible technology use.
- Maintain a safe, structured, and inclusive technology learning environment.
- Maintain accurate attendance and program documentation as required.
Schedule: Monday through Friday
Shifts scheduled between 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
(Start and end times may vary based on site assignment.)
Up to 20 hours per week.
Availability during these hours is required.
Selected candidates are expected to work the full school year through June 2027.
Additional Responsibilities
- Complete 15 hours of professional development each calendar year.
- Attend all meetings, training workshops and special events as required, inclusive of those outside of program hours.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Curriculum & Activity Planning
- Design and implement sequential, project-based units and lesson plans in assigned specialty area.
- Align activities with program goals, youth interests, and DYCD/COMPASS-SONYC frameworks.
- Integrate social-emotional learning, teamwork, and youth leadership opportunities into activities.
- Prepare materials and supplies in advance; maintain an organized, safe activity space.
Facilitation & Youth Engagement
- Lead engaging, hands-on sessions that are inclusive and differentiated for various skill and grade levels.
- Establish clear expectations, routines, and positive behavior supports.
- Build strong relationships with youth; encourage participation, creativity, and persistence.
- Adapt activities as needed based on student responses, behavior, and feedback.
Collaboration & Communication
- Collaborate with Group Leaders, Tutors, and site leadership to coordinate schedules and support youth needs.
- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and planning sessions.
- Share progress, challenges, and recommendations for program improvement with supervisors.
Safety, Documentation, & Compliance
- Ensure youth safety and supervision at all times, following agency and DYCD policies.
- Assist with attendance, sign-in/out, and other basic documentation as required.
- Care for and inventory program equipment and supplies related to the specialty area.
Qualifications
Required:
- Available during after-school hours, 2:00pm - 6:00pm, (20 hours per week not inclusive of meetings); Monday-Friday during the school year and some school holidays.
- 2+years' experience working with children or youth in group settings (after-school, camp, school, recreational program).
- Experience working with middle school or adolescent youth preferred.
- Demonstrated experience or knowledge in computer science, coding, game development, technology education, or a related field.
- Familiarity with age-appropriate coding languages and platforms preferred.
- Ability to teach coding and technology concepts in an engaging and accessible manner.
- Strong communication, classroom management, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to troubleshoot basic technology issues and guide students through problem-solving.
- Ability to develop structured, project-based technology lessons.
- Must be dependable, professional, patient, and enthusiastic.
- High school diploma/GED required; college degree, technology certification, coding training, or equivalent experience preferred.
- Ability to pass required background checks and comply with program policies and safety requirements.
Preferred:
- Some college coursework or degree in Education, Arts, Recreation, Youth Development, or related field.
- Experience in a DYCD-funded program or NYC after-school setting.
- Bilingual language skills.
Job Type
- Part Time
- Monday - Friday, 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Salary
- $21.50 - 24.50 per hour
Please click "Apply" below, or visit our careers page at nyjtl.org to complete an application. Thank you!
NYJTL values the diversity of the people we hire and inspire. Diversity at our organization means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We center equity in all our work and in our hiring practices.
Skills Required
- Availability Monday through Friday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM during the school year and some school holidays, up to 20 hours per week
- At least 2 years of experience working with children or youth in group settings
- Experience or knowledge in computer science, coding, game development, technology education, or a related field
- Ability to teach coding and technology concepts in an engaging and accessible manner
- Strong communication, classroom management, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to troubleshoot basic technology issues and guide students through problem-solving
- Ability to develop structured, project-based technology lessons
- Dependable, professional, patient, and enthusiastic
- High school diploma or GED
- Ability to pass required background checks and comply with program policies and safety requirements
- Experience working with middle school or adolescent youth
- Familiarity with age-appropriate coding languages and platforms
- College degree, technology certification, coding training, or equivalent experience
- Some college coursework or degree in Education, Arts, Recreation, Youth Development, or a related field
- Experience in a DYCD-funded program or NYC after-school setting
- Bilingual language skills
What We Do
New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) is a nonprofit youth-development organization that uses tennis to support children’s academic, physical, social-emotional, and character development. It provides free community tennis and school-based afterschool programs across New York City, pairing instruction with academic support, arts and STEM enrichment, wellness resources, and mentorship. Its programs serve young people throughout all five boroughs, including communities with limited access to tennis.
