Activity Specialist: Art (Dodge YMCA)

About the Role

Being part of the YMCA Afterschool staff team is a deeply rewarding job where you support children’s learning, help build strong connections, and have a positive impact on your community. At Y Afterschool, you will create a safe and fun space for kids to learn and grow, lead creative activities, and help them develop valuable skills. This is an opportunity to make a real difference and gain invaluable leadership and interpersonal experience.

The Activity Specialist will play a critical role in providing academic enhancement and enrichment in the Y Afterschool program, including Holiday Camps. The role involves preparing and delivering age-appropriate Art instruction for school-aged children, ensuring a safe and positive environment for learning, interaction, and personal growth.

Responsibilities

• Design a comprehensive art curriculum using detailed lesson plans with clear, measurable goals and objectives tailored to stimulate interest and engagement across various grade levels.
• Ensure all lessons are project-based where possible, encouraging hands-on learning and creative application of art principles.
• Plan, facilitate, and supervise art-based activities, ensuring a safe and creative environment for youth.
• Support the Program Director in securing all necessary materials, equipment, and potential technological needs.
• Plan for all logistical and safety considerations inherent in art projects.
• Include scalable activities and modifications to accommodate varying skill levels and learning paces among participants.
• Integrate methods for both formal and informal assessment to track participants’ progress and engagement.
• Work with participants to prepare them for an end-of-cycle showcase where they will present their artwork, including selecting and finishing pieces for display and assisting with event organization and set-up.
• Lead and facilitate daily art activities, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment.
• Teach participants fundamental artistic skills and techniques, encouraging creative thinking and self-expression through art.
• Use activities to support the development of teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and foundational academic skills.
• Provide opportunities for participants to research, discuss, and innovate around local and global issues through art.
• Integrate foundational literacy skills (e.g., reading instructions, writing reports, and research) into projects.
• Promote an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful environment that embraces diversity.
• Create and maintain a strength-based, youth-focused atmosphere sensitive to participants with learning, emotional, or behavioral differences.
• Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of participants by providing appropriate supervision at all times.
• Work cooperatively with Afterschool Group Leaders, professional staff, teachers, and school staff.
• Adhere to all Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Department of Health (DOH), YMCA of Greater New York, school partner, and funder standards, expectations, and regulations.
• Maintain accurate program documentation (sign-in/out forms, behavior reports, and incident reports, as appropriate).
• Serve as a positive role model for participants.
• Understand and communicate the YMCA’s core values and the goals of the Y Afterschool Program to participants and caregivers.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents/guardians through regular communication about their child’s strengths and areas for growth.
• Actively participate in training sessions, designated meetings, and special events.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; college credits and formal education in a related field are preferred.
• Preference given to individuals who are already experts in their field (e.g., artists in visual, performing, graphic, or animation art, musicians, photographers) or to college/graduate students working toward such specialization.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in art programming.
• Direct experience working with children under the age of 13.
• Content expert in the designated subject matter (art).
• General knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, and comfort working with diverse youth and adults.

Benefits

The YMCA of Greater New York offers a variety of benefits to its staff members, including:

• Retirement benefits
• Medical benefits
• Paid time off
• Free YMCA membership
• Benefit eligibility determined by employment status (full-time or part-time), tenure, and/or scheduled hours.