Activity Specialist

About the role

Cottonwood NYC is seeking a Maker and Activity Specialist to lead its Agile after‑school program. This is a part‑time position averaging 20 hours per week, with general hours Monday‑Thursday 2:00 PM‑6:00 PM plus 1‑2 hours of planning time each week. Shifts can be picked up as desired. The after‑school program runs Mondays through Thursdays from 2:30 PM‑5:30 PM, where facilitators guide young people as they build community, develop skills, work on projects, and gain autonomy. Cottonwood provides a space for youth to connect, collaborate on projects, and learn from enthusiastic adults.

Responsibilities

• Arrive each day with one offering (a short lesson and activity that participants can opt into).
• Be ready to follow the lead of young people if they arrive with projects or ideas they are excited about.
• Connect with participants and help foster a calm, positive, inclusive environment.
• Act as a host: connect learners, welcome guests, share daily work with families through photos, and communicate with parents as needed.
• Clean and reset the space at the end of each day.

Requirements

The ideal candidate is a creative, energetic maker who is passionate about creating, investigating, and figuring things out. You likely have your own creative practice and enjoy discussing and exploring new techniques and approaches, and you love to share what you’ve learned with others. You are not afraid to dive into unfamiliar topics and learn as you go. Additionally, you should be an excellent communicator, detail‑oriented, and demonstrate strong organizational skills. Above all, you must be grounded in the perspective of trusting children, committed to fostering curiosity, and treat every experience as an adventure.

Pay

This position pays $24‑26 per hour, depending on experience.

Schedule

Part‑time, averaging 20 hours per week. Core hours are Monday‑Thursday 2:00 PM‑6:00 PM, plus 1‑2 hours of planning time each week, with the option to pick up additional shifts as desired. The after‑school program itself runs Mondays‑Thursdays 2:30 PM‑5:30 PM.