Activity Specialist: Art (Flatbush YMCA)

Salary: $20.00 - $30.00 hourly

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 so many in your community. At Y Afterschool, we 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 that fosters 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 guiding them in 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 helping them express their ideas through art.
• Actively 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 artistic and cultural themes.
• Integrate foundational literacy skills (e.g., reading instructions, writing reports, and research) into projects throughout the year.
• Promote an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful environment that embraces the diversity of all participants.
• Create and maintain a strength-based, youth-focused atmosphere that is consistent and sensitive to the needs of participants with learning, emotional, or behavioral differences.
• Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of participants in the program by providing appropriate supervision at all times.
• Work cooperatively with Afterschool Group Leaders, professional staff, teachers, other programs, 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 and caregivers through regular communication about their child’s strengths and areas for growth.
• Actively participate in training sessions, designated meetings, and special events.

Requirements

• 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, etc.) or to college or graduate students working toward such specialization.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in the specific discipline of 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 comfortable 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 is determined by an individual’s employment status (i.e., full-time or part-time), tenure, and/or the number of hours scheduled to work.