The Program Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and daily operation of the COMPASS Afterschool Program serving elementary-aged youth. The Program Director ensures high-quality program implementation, supervises staff, maintains compliance with Rising Ground, DYCD and New York State School Age Child Care (SACC) requirements, and develops strong partnerships with schools, families, and community organizations.
Key Responsibilities- Provide overall leadership and onsite supervision of the COMPASS program.
- Recruit, hire, supervise, coach, and evaluate program staff.
- Ensure compliance with DYCD, SACC licensing, contractual, and agency requirement.
- Oversee participant recruitment, enrollment, attendance, and retention.
- Ensure implementation of required COMPASS content areas.
- Develop and maintain partnerships with schools, families, and community organizations.
- Oversee documentation, reporting, incident reporting, and data entry requirements.
- Coordinate staff meetings and required professional development.
- Implement the Mental Health Referral Plan, Crisis Navigation Plan, and Inclusion practices.
- Manage program resources
- Work collaboratively with the principal and other key school administrators.
- Other related duties as assigned by supervisor
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Required Qualification- Meet one of the education and experience pathways established by the New York State School Age Child Care (SACC) Regulations.
- Associate degree in a related field and two years of experience with children under 13, including one year of supervisory experience
- Knowledge of Positive Youth Development and Social Emotional Learning.
- Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
- Experience supervising staff and working collaboratively with schools and community partners
Yes – Supervises Content Specialist, Activity Specialists, Group Leaders, Youth Workers
Work Environment- Field
This is a Full- Time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, and weekends as needed, at assigned location. Work hours are 10:00am – 6:00pm
Additional Requirements- Authorized to work in the U.S.
- Ability to work in-person in New York City (NYC)
- Ability to travel to other Rising Ground Sites (if required)
11 Paid Holidays
Paid Sick Time
Paid Vacation
Paid Personal days
Insurance Coverage:Medical - 3 plan options
Dental - 2 plan options
Vision - 1 plan option
Skills Required
- Meet one of the education and experience pathways established by the New York State School Age Child Care (SACC) Regulations
- Associate degree in a related field and two years of experience with children under 13, including one year of supervisory experience
- Knowledge of Positive Youth Development and Social Emotional Learning
- Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills
- Experience supervising staff and working collaboratively with schools and community partners
- Authorized to work in the U.S.
- Ability to work in-person in New York City
- Ability to travel to other Rising Ground Sites (if required)
What We Do
Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when life has hope and opportunity, Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity. With an annual budget of $203 million and 101 programs at 138 sites throughout the New York City and lower Westchester area, we deliver dedicated support to promote safe environments for children and help families thrive through our family stabilization, family foster care and adoption programs; innovative special educational programs that advance learning from early childhood through high school; result-focused programs that help court-involved youth change the trajectory of their lives; caring services that promote independence for children and adults with developmental disabilities; and pro-active community health initiatives that foster well-being. Across programs, we continually engage new, innovative techniques and implement evidence-based models to increase our impact and promote better outcomes.
