Activity Specialist- Summer Camp (Beacon 1)

Organization Overview

The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well‑established Manhattan community‑based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. They are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults throughout Manhattan and New York City. Their mission is to work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families.

Program Description

Beacon Community Centers are located in public schools throughout New York City and serve youth from kindergarten through age 21 and adults ages 22 and older, including older adults. Beacons operate year‑round on non‑school hours—weekdays, evenings, weekends, and in the summer—providing integrated programming tailored to local needs. During the summer, Beacons collaborate with the New York City Public Schools for the Summer Rising initiative.

Position Summary

Activity Specialists are assigned to work with co‑ed children, divided into grade‑based groups, in areas of expertise such as dance, cooking, art & crafts, science, and music. They expose participants to various creative expressions, work alongside Group Leaders and other staff to support social‑emotional growth, and help create a positive, creative environment for social and intellectual development.

Schedule

Monday to Thursday, June 22 – August 14, 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Pay

Hourly rate: $25–30 per hour

Responsibilities

• Foster a learning environment that stimulates children’s creative growth and development.
• Demonstrate professionalism and leadership while collaborating with different groups and teams.
• Maintain sound supervision and ensure the safety of program participants at all times.
• Incorporate the summer theme into various projects.
• Assist in delivering educational, recreational, and cultural programs that develop community and explore the summer theme through performances or displays.
• Encourage program participation and social‑skills development.
• Teach and supervise activities in the assigned field.
• Fulfill administrative requirements, including preparing calendars, following schedules, assisting with community events, maintaining attendance records, and completing incident and progress reports.
• Enforce program rules, identify and respond to camper behavior issues, and carry out corrective actions to resolve conflicts and behavioral problems.
• Know and enforce all emergency procedures and safety guidelines for all program areas, ensuring campers’ safety and whereabouts at all times.
• Attend staff training, weekly meetings, and supervision meetings.
• Perform other duties as required and assigned by the Program Director, ADED, and/or DED.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• At least two (2) years of experience working with children in group settings.
• Some college education preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Sense of humor and a passion for youth development.
• Ability to pass a background check, including fingerprint screening.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Create and implement plans for group participation.
• Effectively supervise children.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent bending, kneeling, and walking.

Work Environment

Mostly indoors with some outdoor activities.