Content Specialist (Jamaica YMCA)

Queens, NY | Posted on: 9/24/2026

About the role

The YMCA of Greater New York empowers youth, improves health, and strengthens community across its 24 branches serving over half a million New Yorkers. As part of the Y Afterschool team, the Content Specialist supports children’s learning, leads creative activities, and helps develop valuable skills while contributing to program quality and staff development.

Responsibilities

• Select and manage content across all required program areas, including creating new curricula and lesson plans when necessary.
• Oversee lesson plan implementation and support Activity Specialists, Group Leaders, and Inclusion Specialists to ensure effective execution.
• Coach staff by providing targeted strategies to enhance lesson facilitation, classroom management, and behavior support.
• Review content to ensure alignment with Y Afterschool high‑quality standards.
• Provide professional development for program staff to improve overall program quality.
• Support monitoring and evaluating program activities to maintain a safe, high‑quality, positive environment for youth development.
• Assist participants in achieving increased comprehension and retention of subject material and improved academic skills.
• Help participants develop study skills for academic success; identify struggling students and provide encouragement and alternative explanations.
• Work with the Program Director and school staff to understand day‑school academic expectations and develop aligned activities, assignments, practice tests, and strategies.
• Foster student motivation and positive attitudes toward learning by acknowledging effort, progress, and achievements.
• Collaborate with Afterschool staff, professional staff, teachers, other programs, and school staff.
• Promote an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful environment that embraces participant diversity.
• Maintain a strength‑based, youth‑focused atmosphere sensitive to participants with learning, emotional, or behavioral differences.
• Maintain accurate program documentation (sign‑in/sign‑out forms, behavior reports, incident reports as appropriate).
• Serve as a positive role model and communicate the YMCA’s core values and Afterschool program goals to participants and caregivers.
• Actively participate in training sessions, designated meetings, and special events.
• Adhere to all Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Department of Health (DOH), YMCA of Greater New York, school partner, and funder standards and regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related field required; Master’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with children under the age of 13.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in a supervisory/oversight position, including management and development of program content, staff supervision, training, and coaching.
• Experience in developing education‑based curriculum and lesson plans.
• General knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Benefits

• Retirement benefits
• Medical benefits
• Paid time off
• Free YMCA membership
• Additional benefits based on employment status, tenure, and scheduled hours

Pay

$25.00 Hourly

Schedule

Part‑Time / Regular