Group Leader (Harlem Center)

We are the Police Athletic League (PAL) of New York City—an independent youth-development nonprofit that has served as a bridge between police and communities across all five boroughs since 1914. PAL runs programs for children as young as two through young adulthood, including Head Start, after-school and summer day camps, evening teen centers, college-readiness initiatives, youth employment, juvenile-justice programs, and competitive and recreational sports.

About the role

We are seeking Part-Time Group Leaders to facilitate and support a wide variety of after-school activities: SEL, dance, sports, STEAM, life-skills development, literacy, leadership, performing arts, visual arts, and college and career readiness. The Group Leader reports to the COMPASS or SONYC Director and is supported by the Content Specialist.

Responsibilities

• Foster social and emotional competencies and mental and physical well-being in a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment.
• Support the planning and implementation of all activities—specialized sessions, homework help, field trips, mealtimes, and culminating performances—under the guidance of the Activity Specialist and/or Content Specialist.
• Implement PAL-supplied curricula.
• Build positive relationships with youth, colleagues, and caretakers; serve as a role model in demeanor, communication, and behavior.
• Be aware of students with IEPs and medical conditions; follow support plans to help each child thrive.
• Respond appropriately to time-sensitive mental-health needs such as suicide prevention, grief, and loss due to death or incarceration of a family member; provide referrals to mental-health services as needed.
• Attend meetings with staff, caretakers, volunteers, and community residents.
• Maintain open lines of communication with caretakers.
• Attend and actively participate in all required training sessions, designated meetings, and special events.

Requirements

• Minimum High School Diploma or GED; Associate degree preferred.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Minimum of two years’ work experience in a nonprofit agency working with youth.
• Strong classroom- and behavior-management skills.
• Open to learning and growing; all staff will learn mental-health, SEL, and special-needs inclusion skills and integrate them into programming.
• Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.
• Bilingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese preferred.

Schedule

• 15 hours per week (3 hours a day, 5 days a week).
• 15 hours of orientation prior to the start of programming.
• Scheduled staff meetings and professional development throughout the year.

Pay

$19.00 per hour.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance.
• Flexible spending account options.
• Employee assistance program.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Pet insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Retirement savings options.
• Generous paid time off policy.
• Training and professional development.

Location: Harlem Center – New York, NY
Start Date: September 7th, 2026