Group Leader

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Founded in 1965, the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) is a social services organization advancing the social and economic well-being of immigrant and low-income New Yorkers through holistic services and community-led impact. CPC is the nation’s largest Asian American social services organization and serves as a trusted community anchor to over 80,000 community members who are served by CPC annually through 50+ high-quality programs and services across 35 sites in New York City. (For more information, please visit: https://www.cpc-nyc.org)

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Department of Youth & Community Dvelopment/Comprehensive After School System (DYCD/COMPASS) contracts with the Chinese-American Planning Council to provide youth after school services to school-age children ages 5-12 years old. COMPASS seeks to promote positive youth development, foster social and emotional skills, and encourage youth leadership through engaging activities that incorporate hands-on learning in safe, welcoming environments. The program includes academic support, physical exercise, and enrichment age-appropriate activities such as literacy or STEM to enhance the academic, social, and physical development of children during the after-school hours and on certain school holidays. 

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Program Director and Site Supervisor, and in collaboration with the Education Specialist, Group Leaders are responsible for creating safe, engaging, and structured learning environments that support the academic and social development of elementary-aged children. Group Leaders are critical to the success of daily program operations and positive youth outcomes. This role requires a strong commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, with a growth mindset that embraces feedback, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving to enhance program quality and outcomes. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

•    Develop and implement lesson plans that are developmentally appropriate, aligned to Common Core Standards, and designed to promote academic, recreational, and social-emotional learning.
•    Facilitate daily activities in core subjects such as Math and English Language Arts, as well as Science, Social Studies, and cultural enrichment.
•    Maintain active supervision of children at all times to ensure a safe and supportive environment; respond appropriately to behavioral concerns and medical needs.
•    Document student attendance, behavior incidents, and classroom observations in accordance with CPC policies and program requirements.
•    Foster a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative classroom culture that reflects CPC’s values and supports youth development.
•    Collaborate effectively with program peers, site supervisors, school staff, and CPC leadership.
•    Ensure classrooms are organized, well-maintained, and stocked with necessary instructional and recreational materials.
•    Attend required trainings, meetings, and professional development sessions.
•    Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director or Site Supervisor to support overall program operations.
 

Education and Experience:

•    Must be at least 18 years of age.
•    Must have a High School diploma or equivalent.
•    Minimum of two years of experience working with elementary-aged children in a structured educational, recreational, or youth development setting.
•    Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing engaging lesson plans and structured group activities.
Skills and Competencies:
•    Strong classroom management and behavioral guidance skills, with an understanding of child development and age-appropriate practices.
•    Knowledge of positive youth development principles.
•    Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with children, families, and colleagues.
•    Willingness to learn and grow in the role, including participating in training, accepting feedback, and building new skills.
•    Demonstrated growth mindset and openness to reflective practice.
•    Social and emotional maturity, reliability, and professionalism.
•    Bilingual language proficiency preferred: Russian, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), or Spanish
•    Commitment to CPC’s mission of empowering immigrant and low-income communities and fostering culturally responsive, inclusive programming.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS OVERVIEW

•    $18.50 - $23.00 per hour based on candidate’s educational background; 20 hours per week 
•    CPC offers eligible temporary staff members mandatory benefits, including paid New York State sick time

HOW TO APPLY

Interested individuals should submit their resume, along with a cover letter addressed to Mary Cheng and Ashley Huang, when applying online via CPC’s website: https://www.cpc-nyc.org/jobs or selected online job boards. Candidates should indicate which location they would like to be considered for. All documents should be submitted as one single file. Applicants may reach out to [email protected] with any questions or further inquiries.

CPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CPC values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages women, BIPOC, immigrants, LGBTQ+, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.