GAINS Content Specialist (Social Services/DHQ)

About the role

The Content Specialist is a key member of the GAINS program team, responsible for the development, oversight, and management of high-quality program content in the Required Content Areas. The Content Specialist ensures that all program components facilitated by Activity Specialists, Group Leaders, and Youth Workers are executed with consistency, quality, and fidelity to the COMPASS Elementary and Middle school models.

This role requires travel to sites and involves working 30 hours per week, Monday through Friday.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the GAINS Program meets and maintains all State and City mandates.
• Facilitate ongoing training in areas such as lesson planning, classroom management, facilitation techniques, and strategies to improve program quality.
• Document and maintain records of meetings with GAINS Program Directors and School Staff.
• Support the development and monitoring of program goals, outcomes, and quality-assurance benchmarks.
• Collaborate with the Program Director and leadership team to sustain a high-quality program environment.
• Provide ongoing supervision, coaching, and guidance to Activity Specialists, Group Leaders, and Youth Workers/SYEP.
• Conduct regular program observations to assess quality, support staff growth, and ensure adherence to curriculum and program standards.
• Identify staff training needs and deliver or coordinate relevant professional development sessions.
• Model effective instructional practices and youth-development techniques.
• Attend all required training classes.
• Arrange educational, cultural, and social activities for students.
• Help develop staff to create lesson plans that are age-appropriate, interactive, and encourage social, emotional, and educational curiosity.
• Select, manage, and oversee the implementation of curricula and lesson plans for the Required Content Areas identified by DYCD.
• Develop sequenced activities with clear goals, learning objectives, and assessment methods.
• Observe and critique the implementation and delivery of established lessons.
• Meet with team members to provide insight and encouragement for improvement.
• Hold monthly meetings to discuss students and their progress.
• Provide a minimum of nine (9) hours of services per program per week.
• Support up to a maximum of three (3) COMPASS programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited institution.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a supervisory or oversight role directly involving:
  • Program content development and management
  • Staff supervision, coaching, and support
  • Training and professional development delivery
• Strong knowledge of youth development principles and structured content-based programming.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse staff, youth, and community partners.

Schedule

30 hours per week, Monday through Friday.