Group Leader-DYCD COMPASS

Job Summary

The Group Leader is responsible for providing direct supervision, guidance, and support to a designated group of participants enrolled in the DYCD COMPASS afterschool program. The Group Leader fosters a safe, inclusive, engaging, and nurturing environment that promotes positive youth development, social-emotional learning, academic success, and participant engagement. The Group Leader serves as a positive role model and mentor, builds meaningful relationships with participants and families, supports implementation of high-quality enrichment activities, and works collaboratively with the Program Director, Assistant Program Director, Activity Specialists, and other program staff to ensure a successful afterschool experience.

About the Role

This is a part-time, hourly position with a schedule of 15 to 19 hours per week. The after-school program operates on a ten-month schedule from September through June and includes some holiday activities, as well as summer camp programming.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants.
• Build positive relationships with participants while serving as a mentor and role model.
• Promote positive youth development and foster participant confidence, leadership, responsibility, and teamwork.
• Utilize positive behavior management techniques and restorative practices to support student success.
• Support participants' social-emotional development through daily interactions and structured activities.
• Facilitate daily group meetings, transitions, attendance, snack distribution, and dismissal procedures.
• Support implementation of enrichment activities, academic support, recreation, SEL, literacy, STEM, arts, leadership, and healthy living programming.
• Assist Activity Specialists during specialty classes and reinforce participant engagement.
• Encourage active participation in all program activities.
• Support implementation of project-based learning experiences and collaborative group activities.
• Establish and maintain appropriate behavioral expectations.
• Supervise participants during all program components including transitions, outdoor activities, field trips, meals, and special events.
• Address behavioral concerns using positive intervention strategies.
• Document and report behavioral incidents according to organizational procedures.
• Take accurate daily attendance and assist with participant sign-in and dismissal procedures.
• Maintain participant records and required documentation.
• Monitor participant attendance and communicate concerns to site leadership.
• Support participant recruitment and retention efforts.
• Build positive relationships with parents and guardians.
• Communicate participant successes, concerns, and program information to families.
• Encourage family participation in program events and activities.
• Support family engagement initiatives throughout the school year.
• Always ensure participant safety.
• Follow all DYCD, DOE, OCFS, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Maintain appropriate staff-to-participant ratios.
• Report incidents, injuries, safety concerns, or suspected child abuse immediately following organizational protocols.
• Aid in implementing emergency procedures and evacuation plans.
• Collaborate with Program Directors, Assistant Program Directors, Activity Specialists, school staff, and community partners.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and required trainings.
• Assist with program events, family nights, showcases, field trips, and special activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or High School Equivalency required.
• Minimum of two (2) + years of experience working with school-age children in an educational, recreational, childcare, youth development, or afterschool setting preferred.
• Associate's degree or college coursework in Education, Child Development, Psychology, Social Work, Recreation, Human Services, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with diverse populations of children and families.
• Ability to obtain and maintain all required DYCD, DOE, OCFS, and organizational clearances and approvals as a condition of employment.
• Ability to successfully complete all mandatory pre-service and annual training requirements.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Benefits

Salary Range: $19.00-$21.00